As someone with a visible disability, the idea that canes and eye patches can be fashionable is not entirely groundbreaking. But seeing them embraced by celebrities at the Met Gala? That's a completely different story. I started collecting eye patches about a year before losing my right eye to a pseudotumor. At first I was scared to wear them out in public. I wasn't sure what the general reaction would be, and I felt guilty about covering up my eye - I didn't want people to think I was ashamed. But as my health continued to evolve, so did my relationship with beauty and fashion.
Eventually I grew more confident, matching my outfits to customized eye patches. I commissioned painted patches with red roses, starry nights, and strawberry fields. Family members crocheted 3-D flowers, friends carefully placed rhinestones, and strangers on the internet hand-embroidered thick layers of sparkling rainbow beads. Eventually my collection grew to a whopping 25+ patches, and I wore each one frequently, integrating them into my wardrobe.
But never did I expect embellished eye patches to make an appearance at the Met Gala. Within my own circles, I often watch friends finding new ways to accessorize accessibility - rocking stylish ostomy bag covers, matching their outfits to their mobility aids, and buying unique canes (this one has an 8-ball as the handle). But seeing celebrities like Angela Bassett, Teyana Taylor, and Usher bring walking sticks to the red carpet felt like my worlds were colliding. Alton Mason stepping out in a sparkly silver eye patch (I have a similar one!) was the cherry on top.
In the context of the 2025 Met Gala, these tools - especially the canes - were used to pay tribute to Black dandyism (although a few celebrities mentioned their canes were also relatively functional given the complexity of their garments). For dandies, walking sticks were frequently used as status symbols, but also for self defense, or navigating uneven streets. It's important to note that canes weren't strictly used as mobility aids in this era, but in my opinion, that doesn't detract from their overall impact at the modern-day Met Gala.
While everyone will have different feelings about able-bodied people using mobility aids as accessories, seeing canes and eye patches at one of the biggest nights in fashion re-affirmed what so many of us in the disability community already knew: accessibility and fashion go hand in hand. Always have, always will. And on that note: if anyone needs an eye patch for a future red carpet event, I am more than happy to lend you one.
Chandler Plante (she/her) is an assistant health and fitness editor for PS. She has over four years of professional journalism experience, previously working as an editorial assistant for People magazine and contributing to Ladygunn, Millie, and Bustle Digital Group. Related: André 3000's Met Gala Look Doubled as a Legit Back Workout Read More Details
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