Nikki Hind dressed for success by John Dickson. Illus. by Chantel de Susa

Nikki Hind: Dressed for Success is the third book in the important Big Visions series that portrays Australians living with blindness or low vision. Nikki Hind has the incredible distinction of being Australia’s first blind fashion designer and the founder of Blind Grit, a fashion label which specifically celebrates the work of people with disabilities.

As a child, it was discovered through a routine eye check that Nikki was blind in her left eye. She struggled at school with shyness, learning to read and playing sports especially those involving balls but excelled at swimming and diving. Nikki loved designing and sewing her own clothes and she joined the Flying Fruit Fly Circus when she was eleven. As Nikki grew older she modelled clothes and dreamed of designing her own label.

When pregnant with her first child Nikki had a stroke and as a result she lost half the vision in her right eye. This did not deter her from raising her two children and following her dream of creating her own successful fashion label where Nikki now employs people with disabilities.

This is an inspirational story to share with children of all ages. Even though Nikki found challenges at school she persevered and achieved her dream. The cover and each page in this boldly illustrated story have the written text and the corresponding Braille text.

The Big Visions series would be wonderful addition to all schools, both primary and secondary, and public libraries.

Themes: Blindness, Low vision, Fashion Design, Dressmaking, Inspiration, Determination, Resilience, Perseverance.

Kathryn Beilby