A few months before her death, Gloria Steinem posed for a photo shoot by Paola Kudacki for Weldun, a virtual fashion marketplace serving women with changing physical needs. After Steinem’s death, questions arose about releasing the images, but they will now be seen for the first time.
Weldun founder Carly Berlin, 38, said the photos were never expected to carry such significance. A former artist and interior designer, Berlin launched Weldun after a preventive double mastectomy, aiming to bridge fashion and women’s evolving bodies. “These photographs aren’t intended as a farewell,” Berlin said. “We’re not looking at a woman trying to remain relevant. We’re looking at a woman who never stopped being relevant.”
Taken in Steinem’s home, the images show her sitting in a chair and on her sofa wearing a black sweater from Kallmeyer, her trademark cuffs, aviator glasses, and a jacket by Another Tomorrow. Sometimes she leans on a cane. Often, she is laughing.
Steinem was drawn to Weldun’s mission to represent underrepresented life stages. The platform curates clothing from brands like Kallmeyer, Rag & Bone, and Another Tomorrow with built-in accommodations, advised by a committee of experts with diverse physical needs.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing