Adaptive Fashion Lights Up New York Fashion Week by Samantha Lebron

image of woman with brown hair in wheelchair wheeling down a fashion runway wearing a white shirt with the word rebel across the chest, green pants and black combat boots

 



The simple act of getting dressed in the morning can be a genuine struggle for someone who has a disability. For not only themselves but for those assisting them. Adaptive fashion has made this simple task that many may take for granted much easier. Many recognizable clothing companies have now made it part of their mission to include adaptive wear in their collections. Some notable mentions include Zappos, Steve Madden, Tommy Hilfiger, Kohl's, Target, Victoria’s Secret, and PINK.

Adaptive clothing is clothing designed to be more comfortable and easier to use for people with disabilities, injuries, or age-related limitations. These clothes feature modifications like magnetic closures, wider openings, and adaptable fits to address challenges with traditional clothing. The goal is to enhance independence and dignity during dressing and undressing. 

In the past, if someone needed clothing tailored to fit them specifically due to a disability or condition, they had to either create it themselves or hire a seamstress/tailor. It is nice to see that designers are taking it into their own hands and not only creating pieces that are more functional for people with disabilities but are also fashionable.

 A few months ago, I had the opportunity to participate as a model for an inclusive fashion show hosted by The Hive Inclusive Community. https://theinclusivehive.org/ The designer I modeled for, Lady Fines Adaptive Fashion, has a fashion line of adaptive wear. The clothing she designed for the fashion show had a pink and green theme to celebrate the movie Wicked, of course. Not only was it amazing to participate, but the outfit I was given to wear was so simple to put on. The pants I wore had zippers along the pant leg from the hip down to the hem, which allowed the persons assisting me to get dressed for the event to put the pants on me over my combat boots without having to take them off. The pants also had what appeared to be buttons on the front, but these buttons were not functional on purpose; instead, the pants could be pulled straight up onto the waist with ease. What I loved most was that the clothing was much simpler to put on than traditional clothing, and people liked its appearance without realizing it was adaptive wear. This leads me to the point that adaptive wear does not need to be viewed as medical. Adaptive wear can be fashionable and keep up with the latest trends.

Lady Fines’ Adaptive Fashion is designed for individuals with specific needs, including limited dexterity, sensory impairments, port access/IV, and limited mobility, such as those in wheelchairs. Those interested in the collection can purchase items directly from her website https://ladyfines.com/collections/adaptive-apparel. From adaptive apparel to cause, Rebels with a Cause Foundation advocates for the underrepresented fashion lovers who are left out of mainstream fashion. Their mission is to:

·       Provide adaptive clothing for those in need

·       Empower disabled voices in fashion and lifestyle spaces

·       Bridge the cultural gap between accessibility needs and corporate engagement

·       Provide career and creative opportunities for the disabled

·       Provide individualized support and funding for those in need

More information about the foundation can be found at https://rebelswithacausefoundation.org/

“Lady Fines Adaptive Fashion, a brand born from our mission, took the stage at New York Fashion Week Fall 2024 as part of Runway 7, the largest fashion production of the season. Representing over 15 countries, the show featured 150 visionary designers, and Lady Fines stood out with a striking commitment to accessible design. From magnetic closures to sensory-friendly fabrics and mobility-conscious tailoring, every piece sent a clear message: adaptive fashion belongs on the global stage.”

All it takes is some creativity and the time to ask someone with a disability what would make it easier for them to put on clothing. I look forward to seeing more adaptive clothing in the future because it is here to stay, and I would be delighted to model for a designer again.

 

 



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