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Fashion + Disability: Is the industry doing enough?
When was the last time you hit the shops looking for your next night out number? Or pressed ‘Add To Cart’ on this season’s must have pieces? It’s a familiar excitement most people know, but for people living with a disability, it isn’t quite so easy. Adaptive clothing is invaluable to those living with a disability, but is almost unheard of within the fashion industry, especially across the realms of fast fashion and chic design. Long flowing fabric can get caught in the wheels of a wheelchair, so kimonos are a no no, and the buttons on jeans are often too difficult for those with motor neuron conditions. Garments with…
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It is Time for Inclusivity in the Fashion Industry
Does the fashion industry do enough to cater to people with disabilities? Over the course of the last few years, diversity and the representation of minority groups has been a pivotal topic within the fashion industry. As a result of this the industry has become more inclusive. There seems to be a conscious effort to diversify brands, moving away from the default of basing and advertising brands only on the appearance of typical Eurocentric beauty standards. This has been attained through the inclusion of a diverse range of models of varying race, gender, and religious backgrounds. A significant example of this in the industry can be seen through the debut…
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5 Disability – Friendly Fashion Brands You Should Know
Adaptive fashion is clothing that is suitable for people with disabilities and chronic conditions. For the reason that buttons, zippers, laces and materials can pose problems when putting on or removing clothes. As the fashion industry strives to be more inclusive, there has been a drastic rethink in how brands design for disability. Fashionable but comfortable options are becoming widely available, as brands are considering the needs and wants of their disabled consumers. From high-end to newcomers, here are five disability-friendly fashion brands and designers you should know: 1. Tommy Adaptive – Tommy Hilfiger (Worldwide) Tommy Adaptive created by Tommy Hilfiger is considered a leading brand in the world of…
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Improving the Fashion Industry with Zebedee Management
We can probably all agree the fashion industry is changing for the better. There is more diversity and inclusion for POC/BAME and different religions. Yet, what are we doing for disability in the industry? Let me introduce Zebedee. By managing creatives with disabilities, they are improving the fashion industry (and in the best way!). Introducing Zebedee Management Zebedee Management is an agency which supports those with physical and mental disabilities. Not only this, but they also support those with ‘alternative’ appearances and trans/non-binary. The fashion industry often excludes people in these categories and therefore lacks diversity in this matter. Established in 2017, it is the first agency of it’s kind…
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Tommy Hilfiger: Innovative, Inclusive, Adaptive.
As the world moves towards inclusivity in fashion, are we overlooking disability? Fashion may be stepping in the right direction when it comes to accepting all genders, sexualities, and other differing identities. But what about the physical boundaries of wearing clothes? According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) around 15% of the world’s population lives with some form of disability. Of this group 2-4% experience significant difficulties in functioning including the ability to dress. So why is it that not all clothes are adaptive and easy to put on for everyone? Every morning many people wake up and dress without giving it a second thought. But, for a large proportion…
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Ostomates are Not to Be Forgotten in Fashion
Inclusivity within fashion has grown at a rapid rate over recent years. Slowly but surely, disabled people are being catered for too. Vast developments are being made in adaptive clothing and its becoming more easily accessible from various dominant brands. However, there is still room for progression in clothing made specific for different disabilities, one of which being ostomy bag wearers. Over 6,400 people undergo ostomy surgery every year. Most clothing that caters for ostomy bags is only available via prescription or at an increased cost. Thus, the market is unsaturated with significant demand. So, why have fashion brands decided not to enter this sector? Shopping when disabled or, more…
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Chanel Ignites Controversy Upon Appointing its First Head of Diversity and Inclusion Chief
Throughout the past few years, diversity and inclusion has become the pinocle point of importance for most industries, particularly the fashion industry. Mitú reports the fashion industry is notorious for safeguarding and creating “a lack of diversity in its designers, models and photographers.” Trailing the steps of major luxury brands, French fashion house Chanel appoint its first Head of Diversity and Inclusion. According to Business of Fashion, Fiona Pargeter will be taking on this new role. Pargeter’s previous role was Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Swiss Bank UBS in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. A variety of luxury fashion houses such as Gucci, Prada and Dolce & Gabbana have testified and claimed to…
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When Will Adaptive Clothing Become the New Normal?
The fashion industry has made noticeable progress with its level of diversity but the disabled market is still significantly underrepresented. From catwalk shows to marketing campaigns to shopping on the high-street, disabled consumers are often forgotten, despite the fact they want to be just as stylish as the rest of us. Over 13.9 million people are disabled in the UK alone, of which many have significant spending power. So why have nearly all fashion brands chosen to ignore this huge sector of the market? With consumers becoming more woke and only aligning with brands that offer diversity and inclusivity, adaptive clothing could soon be crucial to a brand’s success. The…
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The Secret’s out Victoria: diversity is in
Lingerie – mid 19th century: from French, from linge ‘linen’. Lingerie is a way women can be in touch with their femininity and sexuality, becoming an extremely profitable market. Victoria’s Secret used to be the pioneers of the luxury undergarments, but times have changed. The secret’s out Victoria: diversity is in. What is Victoria’s Secret? The fashion and beauty house founded Roy and Graye Raymond specialises in lingerie, sleep wear, sportswear and apparel. Since 1995 Victoria’s Secret have hosted their very own fashion shows. They employ world renowned supermodels such as Tyra Banks, Bella Hadid, and Adriana Lima to showcase their latest launches at the star studded event. The models, nicknamed Victoria’s…
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One size should NOT fit all
What is really “ideal”? When we think of the models in the fashion world, the first image that pops into everyone’s head is a tall, slender, caucasian woman. This beauty standard is the “ideal” woman that has been ingrained in heads across the nation for years. The lack of diversity in the fashion world must change, rather we must think of an eclectic variety of what it means to work in the world of fashion. One way the fashion industry has established the beauty standard in society is through their fashion shows. Their roster typically has models of the same size, race, and truly lacks the representation of the diversity…
