Despite the fact that the fashion world is evolving more and more towards inclusivity and sustainability, several categories still find it difficult to find clothes and accessories that fit their needs; one of these categories is individuals with more or less severe disabilities.
The fashion industry's only priority is the beauty and uniqueness of a product, but when it comes to 'adaptive fashion' this purely aesthetic aspect is missing.
How can luxury brands help people with disabilities to seek out adaptive fashion?
Disable Prospectives on Accessible Clothing
When I was just a little girl, my mum taught me the elegance and beauty of clothes and luxury brands. Unfortunately, when I became older, she was diagnosed multiple sclerosis, a disease that impairs joint movement.
This disease led to my mum no longer being able to walk and ending up in a wheelchair but despite this, her passion for fashion remained as strong as ever.
Chanel, Saint Laurent and so many other brands have always been great style inspirations for her and she has always enjoyed buying their products, but since she has had problems with and wearing certain types of clothing her love for fashion has changed, as she no longer reflects herself in the ideals of beauty that luxury brands put forward on a daily basis
It's challenging enough for people with disabilities to find fashionable, cozy, and adaptive clothing. The word "adaptive fashion" refers to clothes made for those who have trouble getting dressed.
I believe that the difficulty for people with different disabilities is not only not being able to wear 'normal' clothes, but also the accessibility of shopping. It is often difficult to understand how complicated it is to go out and shop in shops that do not have a disabled toilet or that have several floors without a lift, making the fantastic shopping experience a struggle and inconvenience for people with mobility problems.
Even online shopping almost always does not offer fashionable clothing categories.
So the main problem is not that this category cannot afford a certain type of clothing, luxury or otherwise, but that the brands themselves do not try to include it.
Beyond Aesthetics: Redefining Beauty in Adaptive Fashion Clothes
Creative design solutions are needed to address the difficulties that people with impairments have in the fashion industry. Together, luxury labels and adaptive fashion designers can produce fashionable yet practical apparel. It can be quite beneficial to include features like adjustable parts, magnetic closures, and textiles that are pleasant to the senses. Luxury businesses can help to break down barriers and provide a wider range of stylish options for everyone by putting inclusion first in their design process.
Despite this Gap in the market being evident, there are some brands that see disability as a struggle to help address an unfavourable condition not only from a practical but also from an aesthetic point of view, such as:
Tommy Hilfiger is the most well-known brand that offers in its online store an adaptive collection but we also have Unhidden Clothing with the goal of introducing exclusivity, style, and sustainability to adaptive fashion. The brand has launched five women's and five men's pieces created from dead stock fabrics. For example, the latter introduced a wrapping element that allows access to the garment without compromising its dignity, and can be layered or worn alone thanks to the snap fastening on both sides of the front neck; or a designed shirt that allows access to arm ports and cropped at the front for wheelchair users and easy to do up and take off due to popper fastenings at the front.
Today, the brand Victoria Secret is continuing its journey of innovation towards a more restrained version of its iconic beauty and desirableness through the launch of an accessible and comfortable collection that preserves the brand's signature sensual style. The underwear are made with comfortable, touchable textiles that have adjustable and convertible bra straps and unique magnetic closures that are both front facing for the bras and side facing for the slips. This design enables women with motor impairments to put on and take off clothing independently and comfortably. Although the principle of this collection is noble and tangible because disables people took part in the brand's catwalk, this gesture was interpreted in two ways: While the general public was enthusiastic about this change of perspective, there were many negative comments because the identity of the brand is the exaltation of the sensuality of the female body and not the pursuit of an inclusiveness unrelated to the brand's identity.
We can all Feel Good In
Confronting the myth of fashion accessibility requires creative solutions. In order to make the luxury industry truly inclusive, it is imperative to actively include people with disabilities in the creative and planning processes, making sure that their needs are taken into account from the outset. Sensitization campaigns can help break stereotypes and increase understanding of the needs of people with disabilities.
Collaborations between luxury brands and adaptive fashion specialists can result in collections that balance functionality and style. Improving shopping accessibility, both in physical stores and online, is essential. This entails providing accessible spaces, security measures, and health services to individuals with disabilities.
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