# Nerve Disorder-Inspired Fashion Julia Wollner Turned a Negative Experience into Beautiful Clothing By Meghan Young | Published 2014-05-07 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/julia-wollner References: [fastcodesign](http://www.fastcodesign.com/3030111/pratt-students-nerve-disorder-inspired-award-winning-clothing-collection) Julia Wollner is a name that people plugged into the fashion industry are bound to hear more of in the coming months and years. She is a recent graduate of Pratt Institute, who suffered from a terrifying experience in her second year as a fashion design student. Julia Wollner woke up one morning unable to move the muscles in half of her face and was later diagnosed with Bell’s palsy. Instead of becoming a victim of the face paralyzing disorder, Julia Wollner channeled the obstacle into a stunning fashion collection, which won the Liz Claiborne Concept to Product Award at the Pratt Institute’s 2014 Fashion Show. Fast Co. Design writes, "The slightly space-age collection features abstract prints Wollner made from photos of her face taken before and after contracting the disorder." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.4/10 - Popularity: 67% | Activity: 56% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 10% men, 90% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Hip Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/hipfashion) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Disability-inspired Fashion:** Opportunity to create a new fashion niche that caters to people with disabilities, showcasing their unique perspectives and experiences. - **Utilizing Personal Trauma for Inspiration:** Opportunity to use personal struggles and experiences as inspiration for innovative designs and solutions in various industries. - **Abstract Prints From Personal Photos:** Opportunity to use personal photos or stories to create unique and meaningful designs in various industries, not limited to fashion. ### Who This Affects Most - **Fashion:** Fashion brands and designers can create disability-inclusive collections that showcase unique perspectives and experiences of people with different disabilities. - **Art and Design:** Artists and designers can use personal struggles and experiences to create meaningful and impactful works in various mediums, including but not limited to fashion. - **Photography:** Photographers can use personal photos and stories to create impactful images that tell a unique and personal story, potentially leading to disruption in the industry. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Nature-Inspired 3D-Printed Handbags](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/julia-koerner.md) - [Viral Oversized Waistband Hoodies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unfinished-apparel.md) - [Collaborative Tea Towel Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tea-towel-design.md) - [Post-Surgery Undergarment Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/postsurgery-undergarment.md) - [Best-Selling Adaptive Apparel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/anthropologie-2.md) - [Adaptive Senior Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/adaptive-fashion-for-seniors.md) - [Chic Norm-Challenging Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wiggle-collection.md) - [Avant-Garde Biomimicry Fashion Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/biomimicry-fashion.md) - [Wearable Sculptural Jewelry](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3dtcable-collection.md)