Model Makes History by Wearing Breast Pump on London Fashion Week Runway

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History was made at London Fashion Week as a new mother graced the runway while pumping breast milk. Valeria Garcia, who gave birth in June, became the first model to appear on the high fashion stage rocking a breast pump. She walked the runway, clad in a black trouser suit by Marta Jakubowski and a bra by Chantelle, the lingerie sponsor for Jakubowski’s collection, with the breast pumps underneath.

She wore the Elvie Pump, which connects to a smartphone application that enables women to get milk without the need for a wardrobe change whether they’re at work or in transit. The smartphone app automatically monitors milk flow and tracks pumping sessions, making it favorable for mothers who want to go about their day to day activities without having to take extra time out to pump.

The Elvie Pump was incorporated into the show to exhibit Jakubowski’s commitment to female empowerment and to praise the autonomy and freedom that all ladies ought to have the capacity to enjoy.

“Being a new mother can be incredibly stressful,” Elvie’s chief executive, Tania Boler told England’s Evening Standard newspaper. “We spoke to a lot of women about the struggles they experience post-pregnancy and it became obvious that outdated pumping technology was a real obstacle for women wanting to provide breast milk for their baby.

“Women need technology that keeps up with their busy lifestyles, especially at a time of so much change. We designed Elvie Pump to make breast pumping as easy, streamlined and flexible as possible for mums.

“Our aim is to transform the way women think and feel about themselves by providing the tools to address the issues that matter most to them, and Elvie Pump does just that.”

In any case, it’s not the first time breastfeeding and motherhood has been commemorated on the high fashion stage.

The audience cheered Mara Martin as she took to the runway at a Sports Illustrated bathing suit show in July while nursing Aria, her 5-month-old daughter. After the show and the overwhelming praise on the internet, Martin predicted that the time was appropriate for shattering limitations – particularly with regards to where ladies can breastfeed; say the runway or in other public places.

Speaking via an Instagram post, she said, “…I hope to normalize breastfeeding because it’s a natural thing women can do for their babies. I think women should be able to feed their babies how they want, when they want and where they want.”

Also, this week, pregnant model, Slick Woods gave birth to a son, 14 hours after walking the Savage x Fenty show at New York Fashion Week.

On the off chance that the largely exclusive fashion industry accepts that breasts have a biological purpose, then perhaps public breastfeeding would stop being frowned upon.

For those interested in pre-ordering the Elvie Pump, there’s a waiting list that clients can join ahead of its release in October.