The ‘D’ List looks at new things in the world of disability. This time it’s fashion for people who need clothes that are easier to wear and more ‘comfortable’ – although Vivienne Westwood did say ‘fashion is not about comfort’!?
We’ve written many times about adaptive fashion and how to buy from the High Street. A recent article by The Guardian stated that 2019 was the landmark year for adaptive fashion and valued at $288BN globally, an underestimate we think. As a result we decided to look at new developments in the adaptive fashion world:
1ST The Beazley Designs of The Year at The Design Museum for 2019 included Tommy Hilfiger’s adaptive range for people ‘who cannot get dressed on their own’
It doesn’t tell you where to buy his collection (some items are available on Amazon & the Hilfiger website says it launches Spring 2020). However, magnetic buttons, velcro and elastic waists have been around for a long time . Take a look at The Able Label collection, IZ Adaptive and kintsugi whom we wrote about in 2019 along with the ASOS foray into disabled fashion.
2ND ELBA Lingerie & Samanta Bullock Fashion,
Are two friends of BBS and show a determination to make fashion inclusive. ELBA London Lingerie are on a ‘mission to re-define lingerie for all women, whatever their age or ability’. Their first product is a front fastening magnetic bra that looks stylish rather than frumpy. The clasps are incredibly strong and don’t come undone unless you place them in a certain way. They’re also designed to be supportive without wires – A revolution in bras. Available up to size 38″/85EU they’ve promised to make larger size cups and they should be available Feb 2020. Designed with funding from the Design Council SPARK (those kind people who helped develop the universal glass holder DRINK) and Versus Arthritis.
Samanta Bullock is an
‘advocate for inclusion within the fashion industry, Samanta has decided to join forces with some of the most innovative emerging designers to develop her brand, ‘SB’ – a unique line of clothing based on the principle that “it’s not about being disabled, but about feeling beautiful and comfortable whilst in the sitting position”.’
She has an online store of inclusive fashion and her new range is launching 14th Feb at London Fashion Week. We’ll be there and will report back. You can also see some of her designs and models on our blog about the Blue BAdge Access Awards where her fashion show was the highlight of the evening.
3RD Open Style Lab in USA has been doing great work with inclusive fashion, they devised Rayn the cool rain wear for wheelchair users but it didn’t get funded (read more here).
Now they’ve created a gender neutral, muti body form for fashion retailers, the video explains all……
ADA 1.0: Inclusive Body Forms to Democratize Fashion Industry from Open Style Lab on Vimeo.
More soon from The ‘D’ list and if you want to tell us about something new please get in contact.