Adaptive Fashion and Inclusive Design: Empowering Individuals with Disabilities Through Clothing

Thinking Out Loud #5

Greetings fellow readers!?

I am back with another addition in this weekly series that will let you have a look into the future of technology in fashion. You will be seeing more articles on it in the near future. In this segment, you will get to explore the future trends in fashion with me and ponder on all the ‘what-ifs’.?

“I'm 35 but often forced to buy clothing designed for 5-year-olds,” explains Dr. Shani Dhanda, a multi-award-winning disability inclusion & accessibility strategist in a post on Linkedin.

Reading this sentence alone provokes an emotion of sympathy for people who have to fit in a world where fashion is not a choice for them.?

It makes one wonder, what is the alternative? The answer to this is ‘adaptive clothing’. To make dressing easier and more comfortable, these specialized clothing lines include features like Velcro closures or hooks instead of buttons, adjustable zippers with easy pull grips, side zippers on pants, open-back shirts, elasticated waistlines and magnetic shoe fastenings. People with disabilities, such as those affecting mobility, cognition, or sensory processing, make up a significant portion of the adaptive clothing market. Arthritis, diabetes, and post-operative care are just a few of the medical issues that the market targets.

Stepping into the unknown world of fashion, I am wary of adaptable apparel but eager to learn more about this domain where hope and doubt mingle. Come along with me on this fascinating adventure as I investigate the experiences of people with disabilities, questioning the established rules of fashion with a mix of pessimism and optimism. Let us discuss it one point at a time.?

1. Fashion Beyond Limits: Unveiling the Adaptive Revolution

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are currently over 1 billion people worldwide with some form of disability.

As estimated by the Adaptive Clothing Market Analysis Survey 2023, the world market for adaptive clothing was worth about US$13.6 billion in 2022. It is expected to grow even more, at a rate of about 5% CAGR by 2030. More and more, shoppers are looking for clothes that make them feel good about themselves, and this has prompted the fashion industry to create more accessible styles for individuals with impairments. Iconic fashion houses are clearly starting to notice this trend. Pioneers in inclusive fashion and practical solutions include Tommy Hilfiger's Adaptive Collection, Zappos Adaptive, Silvert's Adaptive Clothing & Footwear, and Izzy Camilleri's IZ Collection.

The Indian fashion industry is not so left behind. Millions of people in India live with some kind of disability, whether it's a visual, auditory, or cognitive impairment. I carefully watch the rise of adaptive clothing in the heart of India's urban fashion scene. I see a paradigm change in how we think about inclusion. Adaptive garments for the elderly, people with disabilities, and those experiencing post-operative dressing issues are the focus of Ekansh Trust's efforts to influence the mainstream clothing business in India. Also, inventive designers such as Delhi-based Shivan and Narresh, as well as Mumbai-based Nidhi Munim, were among the first to meet the unique demands of women who had mastectomy surgery by creating mastectomy blouses and swimwear, respectively.

More examples of Indian designers include, Zyenika by Soumita Basu, Suvastra Designs by Shalini Visakan, Aaraam se by Ashima Bhan, Moveability Clothing from Kottayam, and Cur8abilty from Mumbai. Apparel Resources’ article makes people look twice and ask questions as brands try to rethink style for everyone with adaptive designs. Looking closely at these collections makes me wonder if this movement is really a change or just a short-lived trend.

1. ?From Runways to Real Lives: Transformative Tales of Empowerment

In my search for fashion that works for everyone, I've come across an interesting article from Forbes that makes me think about the fight for flexible fashion. “Disabled people constitute the largest minority group in the world, yet are the most underserved and underrepresented,” highlighted Keely Cat-Wells, Founder and CEO of disabled talent agency C Talent and Zetta Studios, the first fully accessible studio.?

The article highlights how the disabled community has criticized Nike for making the Go FlyEase shoe, which is advertised as an "accessible solution," not available to them. First Nike only made it accessible to selected few members and then conveniently skipped showcasing actual disabled people from their marketing campaign. If you really want to be inclusive, you should include people with disabilities in all steps of product design.

In other news, An exceptional event was planned by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), which is part of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, to showcase the wares and skills of Divyang entrepreneurs and craftspeople from all over the country. 'Divya Kala Mela' was the name of the festival that ran from December 29, 2023, to January 7, 2024, in Surat, Gujarat. The primary objective of the ‘Divya Kala Mela’ was to contribute to the economic empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (PwD)/Divyangjan.

Beyond the glitz and glamor of the runway, these stories are based on the battles and victories of disabled people in real life. They make me wonder if fashion can really break down social barriers or if it's just a well-written story.

1. ?Inclusive Threads Weaving a Social Fabric

“Dressing up is a private affair, and whenever you rely on someone for it, you feel a loss of independence and bodily autonomy,” asserts Soumita Basu (founder of Zyenika) in her interview to The Indian Express. Soumita became wheelchair-bound after receiving a diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis in 2014. Due to lack of options, she had to wear oversized clothes which used to make her feel unhappy. She dreaded going out but decided to take matters in her hands. She had founded the brand in 2019 with the aim of making clothes which were not just comfortable but aesthetically pleasing too.?

Further in their article, The Indian Express draws a positive picture by focusing on how adaptive clothing is helping to give people more power. I wonder, with a healthy dose of skepticism, whether these unique designs are genuinely penetrating society and removing obstacles, or if they are merely an effort to appeal to a wider demographic.

1. Crafting a Future of Fashion Without Barriers

“Adaptive clothing is not only about functionality but also about inclusivity and style”, says Kevin Pat in his article on Linkedin.

The goal of adaptive fashion is to design clothes that are fashionable, practical, and easy to adjust. There is a popular myth that appearance doesn’t matter to disabled individuals but on the contrary, wearing creatively designed garments can elevate confidence and offer a sense of well-being for those with special needs. For instance, no fastenings are needed for the hands-free Nike Go FlyEase, and the Nike Dynamo Go Lil Fruits provide children with a similar level of convenience. More examples of fashion brands include Buck & Buck, Rollimoden, AnaOno, Unhidden, Spio, and Alter UR Ego’s ‘jeans for everyone’.

As I learn more about adaptive fashion, I go back and forth between doubt and interest. Fibre2Fashion.com breaks down the principles of equality in adaptive clothing, showing how far we've come in breaking down stereotypes. But I can't help but wonder if this is a real change or just a clever marketing move to catch a growing market.

As I embark on this adventure, with mixed feelings of enthusiasm and skepticism, I would love to hear your honest opinions. Tell me which companies or projects have made you believe in the adaptive fashion trend? In order to move forward towards a future that is truly inclusive, let's have a conversation that questions the current quo. ?

#InclusiveFashion #AdaptiveClothing #QuestioningTheNorms