Tête-à-Tête with Caspar Eric

04.15.2024

Introducing Caspar Eric, poet, disability rights activist, and a voice challenging societal norms. Born prematurely with Cerebral Palsy, Caspar uses his art to infuse beauty into the world, making it more accessible to overlooked bodies. His go-to uniform, adorned with colorful sneakers and layers of black and blue, reflects a sporty yet uniquely twisted style.

In our conversation, Caspar delves into the intersection of fashion, identity, and disability. Rejecting conventional definitions, he emphasizes the profound impact clothing has on how the world perceives him. As someone who integrates personal experiences into his art, Caspar challenges preconceptions and societal discrimination, advocating for inclusivity within the Danish welfare state and globally.

/Please introduce yourself.

My name is Caspar Eric. I’m a poet and a disability rights activist. I strive to bring beautiful things into the world, while also working to make beauty more accessible to the many bodies we tend to forget. I was born two months prematurely and have Cerebral Palsy. And, of course, I constantly feel the need to prove myself.

/Describe your go-to uniform.

A pair of colorful sneakers and then something black and blue with multiple layers. I like sporty things with a weird twist, and I like putting something silver on my hands.

I like having a clear idea of my style, because a lot of my experience with fashion, has been that I shouldn’t wear this or that, or take too many chances. So today I am very grateful to be pushed a little out of my comfort zone and get the opportunity to look dashing in something I wouldn’t normally pick for myself.

-/Does the way you dress reflect the way you view the world?

I aspire to mostly wear second-hand clothes, and I often choose items that are comfy but with an edge. We rarely view people with disabilities as sexy. So, I remind myself that I deserve to wear beautiful stuff.

In that respect, ‘how the world views ME’ also reflect what I wear. For instance, colorful sneakers aren’t a neutral choice for me. The decision to wear shorts or not is always within a matrix of ‘using clothes to hide’ or ‘using them to convey that it doesn’t bother me.’ There is no in-between.

/As someone who uses themselves in their art, how does the way you dress support that?

I don’t think it does. Having a limp, I don’t really need any assistance to stand out. However, I love the way this question shows us that clothes can also be seen as a form of support, much like a crutch or a wheelchair.

/What are you currently working on?

Right at this moment I am writing a lot. However, I’m also focused on raising awareness about the current discrimination that is happening within the Danish welfare state. I am doing a big show in Bremen April 21st. And we are also a huge demo at Christiansborg on May 22nd.

 /Can you share a personal anecdote where your wardrobe inspired a particular piece of your writing?

I think the most inspiring for me, not only as a disabled person but also just as a hetero man, is all the stuff that never find their way to my wardrobe. But I have also named two books after sneaker brands, and the way that I trash my shoes faster than others is the theme of the first poem in Nye Balancer.

/As an advocate for inclusivity, how could the fashion industry better support individuals with disabilities?

How about just showing me one person with a disability at a fashion show in Denmark. Then, one in a commercial? Also, have means of production that doesn’t cause or worsen disability and sickness. Try hiring a person with a different body and appreciate their creativity and limitations as a resource. Aim for better working hours.

Oh yeah, and pant sizes. Give us adequate pant sizes.

/Can you recommend a piece of writing (preferably in English) to ease us into spring?

I have just read “Who killed my father” by Edouard Louis, Death Valley by Melissa Broder and Undying by Anne Boyer. They’ve all changed my life, and even though the books are quite different, they all deal with themes of class and care.