'My stoma bag is my new fashion accessory'

"I always say my stoma bag is my bag for life. It's my new accessory. You don't have to hide it."

Lucy Smith Butler, from Rochdale in Greater Manchester, was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2017 - a condition which causes painful ulcers on the bowel, and can lead to bleeding and diarrhoea.

"I tried loads of different medications, but nothing really worked.", the 27-year-old said and in 2019 she had a colostomy and now has a stoma - a stomach opening where waste is excreted into a stoma bag.

She has now put on a charity catwalk, featuring stylised stoma bag covers and models with colostomies, to help those with stomas feel celebrated and proud.

Lucy says the event was inspired by her love of fashion and her drive to raise awareness of the realities of living with a stoma.

"Finding people that you feel like you can trust and talk to, and people who understand, is quite hard.

"Events like this are amazing for that. Being in a room filled with people who understand what you've gone through.

"It's just a really, gorgeous, joyful thing to have everyone together.

"So it just makes sense to me to shine that kind of light on it, and accessorise your outfit, confidently walk down the runway and show that you don't have to hide it."

Having undergone emergency surgery last year, Lucy said it was emotional seeing models proudly displaying their stoma bags.

"The feeling is just shock. I'm so happy but I feel like it's all going to hit me at some point and I'm just going to cry - but happy tears".

It's just been so special tonight to feel like, okay, I did it, we've done it, we're doing it. It's not beat me."

Nikita Patel, 25, also uses a stoma bag and took part in the charity catwalk.

"I think it is really important to see other people who look like myself represented, especially as a South Asian woman.

"It can be quite isolating when you don't get to see other people who look like you, and that's the role model that I want to be."

Nikita said:"I think there's a lot of stigma online over what you're going to be able to wear after surgery, and what you're not going to be able to wear.

"But actually, the reality is you can still wear whatever you want. And who cares if you can see your stoma popping out?"

"I really hope that people leave here feeling like you don't have to hide your differences, you can celebrate your differences no matter what they are", said Lucy.

"Whatever it is, I hope they feel confident enough to celebrate it, and own it, and be proud of it"

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