From designing custom thigh-high boots for Beyoncé Knowles-Carter’s sold-out “Cowboy Carter” tour to advocating for type 1 diabetes (T1D) research on Capitol Hill, Thom Solo continues to bridge the worlds of fashion and activism.
Last week, the designer—who’s also created custom shoes for pop stars like Lady Gaga, Lana Del Rey and Britney Spears—attended the Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children’s Congress in Washington, D.C.
The biennial event brings together approximately 170 youth delegates (between the ages of 4–17) from across the globe to share their experiences with lawmakers and call for renewed federal support in the fight against TID, a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the body’s ability to produce insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar.
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At the event, Solo served as one of Breakthrough T1D’s official role models, giving him the opportunity to share his experiences with the delegates during an interactive town hall.
“I had the privilege….of taking a group of young gentlemen to Senator Elizabeth Warren‘s office and meet with her to explain what T1D is and why we need special diabetes program to be furthered,” Solo told Sourcing Journal. “I’m [looking forward] to continuing the conversation of being a role model and to be present with the youth and instilling proactiveness, kindness, compassion and a strong sense of self within them.”
In support of the event, Mattel U.K. announced a partnership with Breakthrough T1D, donating approximately $26,800 to help fund research, education and support for T1D.
The iconic toy brand’s flagship line, Barbie, also created a one-of-a-kind doll honoring T1D advocate Lila Moss, ahead of the global launch of its first dolls representing individuals living with the condition, set for release later this summer. Created in Moss’ likeness, the doll features a circular white Continuous Glucose Monitor on her arm, a square white Insulin Pump pod attached to the top of her leg and a device in her handbag to monitor insulin levels.
“With diabetes, we have had so many incredible role models and people within the activist space, but we’ve never had such a well known iconic individual [like] Barbie…and she’s really opening up a conversation about how much misunderstandings there are around [T1D],” Solo said. “I’m really excited for the spotlight that Barbie is [putting] on diabetes as a whole.”
Solo, who was diagnosed with T1D at just two years old, has been deeply connected to the cause for decades.
In fact, he helped inspire the original JDRF Children’s Congress (now known as Breakthrough T1D) when, at age nine, he posed a pivotal question to his mom: “Why can’t kids go to Washington and tell their Representatives what it’s like to have T1D, and let them know we want scientists to find a cure?”
“It’s so incredible to come back to this community after [all these years] and show youth that T1D is just a small part of who we are, [because] it’s not our whole identity,” Solo said.” “This disease can, on a day-to-day basis, sometimes make you feel incredibly alone. You look at me and you wouldn’t necessarily know that I have anything going on until you maybe see the CGM or an insulin pump. It really is an invisible disease…until you experience the highs or lows of blood sugar, and then everything changes. [However], being surrounded by this community and seeing so many people going through the same experience is so unifying and gratifying. There was so much warmth in my heart, just being able to bond and talk about things that not everyone else would understand.”