Sinead Burke says designers should make a tool that is available for everybody

Despite her tiny stature, Sinead Burke has become a force to be reckoned with in the world of fashion, pushing for designs to become accessible for all.

The 29-year-old Irishwoman, just 1.05 metres (three feet and five inches) tall, has not gone unnoticed at London Fashion Week.

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Burke was in the front row at the Victoria Beckham and Roksanda catwalk shows, sitting just a few places away from Anna Wintour, the high priestess of fashion.

Before the Beckham show, Burke was wearing some of the former Spice Girls singer's creations, donning a canary yellow blouse decorated with a black flower, and a straight brown skirt.

Sinead Burke poses for a photograph. AFP

How did the school teacher from Dublin end up on the cover of Britain's Vogue magazine?

The journey started in March 2017 with a TED Talk — the online ideas conferences — and a speech entitled "Why design should include everyone."

Her talk went over the obstacles she faced in daily life in the designed world, from the height of locks on toilet doors to the available range of shoe sizes.

The video, which has been viewed 1.4 million times, seems to have triggered some changes.

"That seemed to be a moment when people were listening to design and accessibility and thinking about this industry in a different way for the first time, so there has been progress," said Burke.

Vogue cover star

Burke did not leave it at that. At London Fashion Week in February 2018, she introduced herself to British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enniful, tugging on his sleeve at a Burberry show.

Sinead Burke has set a trend in the world of fashion. AFP

Then she ended up on the cover of the magazine's September 2019 issue, chosen by guest editor Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex as one of 15 female "forces for change."

Top designers have created custom-made outfits for her — something she considers a "huge privilege and an honour" — but that was never her goal.

"What I want is just that people understand disability as customisation, which the fashion industry already is familiar with, and make that a tool that is available for everybody," she said.

Burke hosts a podcast where she conducts interviews on the theme of identity and difference.

More so that the young designers would learn from working with "different types of bodies" and take that forward into the companies they go on to work for.

"Change has to happen at the most senior level with the chief executive and creative directors but also with the new generation" of designers, said Burke.

There is still a long way to go to transform "the most exclusive industry in the world", she said, though she remains optimistic.

"I thought I would be a teacher for ever and here we are, in London Fashion Week!"