Disability Advocate and Model Maya Moore on Embracing Style Without Limits
In a landscape too often ruled by narrow standards and expectations, disabled model Maya Moore is redefining what “classic style” can and should mean in contemporary fashion. After losing her arm during a battle with cancer in 2011, Maya experienced a shift in her approach to confidence and self-love, growing to own her disability when dressing each morning, rather than seeing it as a barrier. In this Curated Chat, she shares advice for finding confidence through fashion and embracing personal style without letting a disability dictate your wardrobe choices.
Hi Maya - could you introduce yourself to our readers and tell us a bit about what you do?
My name is Maya, and I am a model, writer, and content creator. I am also a cancer survivor and right-arm amputee. At 26, after ditching my prosthetic arm, I began to carve out my own space online—exploring beauty and fashion through the lens of my disability and mental health. I'm a proud cat mom and NYC commuter with a penchant for vintage fashion, specifically from the 90s and early 2000s.
How did losing an arm shape your perspective on style and influence how you view fashion?
Losing my arm radically redefined my perspective on style and the way I view fashion. For starters, I became more inventive and experimental with fashion. I had to try and fail to find what worked for my body. I played with different shapes and silhouettes but eventually felt best without my prosthetic arm. Ultimately, losing my arm helped me dress for my body versus forcing my body to fit the clothes, and cutting the sleeves off of my tops instilled a new sense of confidence and hope for my future because I was dressing as the version of me—happy, ambitious, confident—that I didn't think was possible before as a disabled person.
Fashion has always been political; however, I gained more insight into how the availability of certain styles and representations says so much about where we are as a society regarding disability rights. For example, the limited availability of formal clothes for people with disabilities limits our ability to attend formal events, furthering inaccessibility.
Are there any misconceptions about dressing with a disability that you'd like to challenge?
Yes! I think people look at disabled people and immediately start picturing all the hardships in our lives. My style has been a way for me to signal that there is abundance and joy in my life just by walking into a room. I also think that there's a misconception that disabled people only want to wear clothes designed for us versus there is a broader array of clothes designed with universal design principles, like elastic waistbands or slip-on shoes.
What advice would you offer to those with a disability who feel uncertain or lost stylistically?
I recommend experimenting with fashion and being patient with yourself. I had to mourn the version of my body that could get dressed with little to no effort and didn't require accommodation or adaptations. Through that process, I started to shed my sadness. I shifted away from hiding the fact that I am an amputee and saw it as an opportunity to lean in and find styles and fabrics that made me feel good and accentuated my amputation. Different doesn't mean bad, and there's almost always a workaround or alternate way to do something, especially regarding fashion because style is so subjective. Lastly, I'd recommend seeking out the disabled community. I draw so much inspiration from people with different lived experiences and, in turn, can share tips and tricks regarding style and fashion.
Your style feels timeless and modern—how would you describe your approach to dressing?
Thank you! I like balancing high and low and vintage with more modern basics. For example, one of my go-to combinations for spring is a vintage oversized trench, a wool turtleneck from COS or a white button-up from Gap, my black Jil Sander wide-leg trousers, pointed vintage boots, and a vintage designer shoulder bag. I love a "Carrie Bradshaw" approach to dressing and usually pair inexpensive thrifted outfits with vintage designer accessories.
"My coats are amongst my favorite and most timeless pieces, so my leather trench coat and my cashmere wool peacoat are in that category. I'd also add my vintage silver collar necklace, silver bangle, and calf-hair Fendi baguette."
Have you noticed any shifts in the industry's approach to representation and accessibility? Where do you think there's still work to be done?
Unfortunately, body diversity has been relaxed industry-wide; however, it's been more drastic and prominent within high fashion. We were starting to see an opening with fashion houses like Colina Estrada tapping Aariana Rose-Phillip to star in their SS25 show and blind model Lucy Edwards on Sinéad O'Dwyer's spring/summer 2025 catwalk at Copenhagen Fashion Week; however, that was pretty much it for disabled representation. Significant work needs to be done from the top down, as more prominent fashion brands usually have the sway to determine industry-wide trends, especially regarding representation.