Pawel Kaczorowski’s Post

One of my new relationships in the Open Style Lab community has opened a window into a world I had not be exposed to in the past. That is the world of individuals with dwarfism or little people (adult height of 4 feet 10 inches (147 centimeters) or less). Levi Waterhouse has graciously shared his life story with me and others. As I further explore the challenges he has shared, it frustrates me as far as the lack of options both in clothing and shoe wear. One designer, Chamiah Dewey, is changing this for people with dwarfism. DEWEY's goal in fashion is to represent and celebrate people under 5ft. Why? - "The emotional state of both men and women is deeply influenced by what they wear, with 96% of people agreeing that clothing impacts their mood and self-perception." To my OTP peers, continue to explore the possibilities for your clients so they too find comfort, satisfaction, and inclusion in what they put on their body. Dressing is a core, ADL. #OccupationalTherapy #ADL #AOTA #Dwarfism #LittlePeopleOfAmerica #OpenStyleLab #QualityOfLife #InclusiveFashion #InclusiveDesign #InclusiveDesigners #IndustrialDesigners #FashionDesigners Learn more about DEWEY:

Have you ever thought about Accessible Fashion and how we can make clothing more accessible for people with disabilities? Well, if you haven't, then check out our writer and researcher Fiona Bridger point of view here! #AccessibleFashion #DisabledFashion #DisabilityInclusion

Adaptive clothing is very much on the cusp of becoming a mainstream category. We're still early, and we still have a long way to go, but there are whispers of a much larger movement that is gaining momentum. I often get asked about the number of brands entering the space. Am I threatened? Here's the thing: in the four categories No Limbits currently serves (people with lower limb difference, wheelchair users, sensory friendly, and folks with limited dexterity,) the market has been estimated at $2.6 billion in the US alone. We need more brands to enter the space. The challenge we face is not that the market is niche, it's that people with disabilities have felt ignored for so long that they don't know that adaptive options are out there, and unless they're newer in their disability journey, they've given up searching for it. Every brand in the adaptive clothing space benefits from more activity in it. And there are so many problems to solve that it's easy to be collaborative instead of competitive. It's for this reason that events like Denver Fashion Week are so instrumental. Showing adaptive fashion as a part of mainstream fashion is pivotal to its inclusion as a category. https://lnkd.in/ePTYCYRA #entrepreneurship #adaptiveclothing #accessibility #disability #fashion

Adaptive Clothing for People with Disabilities by Keisha Greaves** ### Project Overview: The Adaptive Clothing Project by Keisha Greaves aims to design and produce stylish, functional, and accessible clothing for people with disabilities. Recognizing the challenges faced by individuals with mobility issues, sensory sensitivities, and other physical limitations, this initiative focuses on creating adaptive clothing solutions that enhance comfort, independence, and dignity. ### Key Objectives: 1. **Understand Needs and Preferences:** - Conduct surveys and focus groups with people with disabilities to identify their specific clothing needs and preferences. - Collaborate with occupational therapists, caregivers, and disability advocates to gain comprehensive insights. 2. **Design and Innovation:** - Develop adaptive clothing that incorporates features such as magnetic closures, adjustable waistbands, easy-open zippers, and tagless labels. - Ensure designs are fashionable, allowing individuals to express their personal style while accommodating their physical needs. 3. **Accessibility and Affordability:** - Use cost-effective materials and manufacturing processes to make adaptive clothing affordable for all. - Partner with non-profits and government programs to provide subsidies or grants for low-income individuals. 4. **Awareness and Advocacy:** - Launch a marketing campaign to raise awareness about the importance of adaptive clothing. - Advocate for greater inclusion of adaptive clothing lines in mainstream fashion retail. 5. **Sustainability:** - Incorporate sustainable materials and eco-friendly manufacturing practices. - Promote a circular economy by encouraging recycling and repurposing of adaptive clothing. ### Implementation Strategy: 1. **Research and Development:** - Set up a dedicated R&D team to prototype and test adaptive clothing designs. - Use feedback from users to refine and improve designs continuously. 2. **Community Engagement:** - Establish advisory panels consisting of people with disabilities to guide the design process. - Host community events and workshops to demonstrate the benefits and features of adaptive clothing. 3. **Collaborations and Partnerships:** - Collaborate with fashion designers, manufacturers, and technology experts to integrate innovation into adaptive clothing. - Partner with retailers and online platforms to make adaptive clothing widely available. 4. **Production and Distribution:** - Set up production facilities with accessible workplaces to employ people with disabilities. - Utilize e-commerce platforms to reach a broader audience and ensure easy ordering and delivery. 5. **Education and Training:** - Provide training for retailers and sales staff on the features and benefits of adaptive clothing. https://lnkd.in/eYBiX_g6

#WeAreBillionStrong I'd like to highlight an insightful piece by Jasmin Ambiong, Director of communication for Billion Strong.  She addresses common misconceptions about how people with visual disabilities relate to fashion. Jasmin shares her experiences shopping for clothes, managing her wardrobe, and coordinating outfits as a blind girl. She describes adaptations that help her dress stylishly and independently. Her article makes an important point - interests in fashion are personality-based, not disability-based. She and her sighted sister have opposing styles, further proving this. Jasmin's perspectives open an eye-opening dialogue. She argues that fashion should empower everyone, regardless of ability. Her words encourage designers and the industry to be more inclusive. I appreciate Jasmin lending her voice to challenge assumptions and advocate for accessibility. Please take a few minutes to read her article in full. What are your biggest takeaways? How can we promote clothing and styles that make all people feel comfortable in their self-expression? Let's keep the conversation going. Debra Ruh LaMondre Pough Puneet Singh Singhal Richard Streitz Amit Ghose Lia Stoll ♿ David Esteban Pérez #InclusiveFashion #DiversityInFashion #DisabledStyle #AdaptiveFashion #AccessibleFashion #FashionForAll #BillionStrong

More of this, please: Anthropologie has a new line of clothes designed with input from people with disabilities. "Richa Srivastava, chief creative officer of women's concept and design, explains that the adaptive modifications improved the experience of taking each Anthro staple on and off, as well as wearing it all day long. Take the Colette pant for example. Just like the standard design, the adaptive version has a high-rise waist and a cropped flare hem. But to make the pants more comfortable for wheelchair users, Anthropologie took a three-fold approach. 'We adjusted the rise to better suit someone seated, eliminated back pockets to reduce bulkiness when sitting, and incorporated features like magnetic snap closures, zipper openings along pant inseams, as well as tabs and snaps for customizable length adjustments.'" A handful of self-advocates -- including fashion influencer April Lockhart and model Maya Moore gave input into the clothing line, as well as agreeing to model the new clothes. https://lnkd.in/gqWNkTHD #Disability #DisabilityInclusion #AdaptiveFashion

How to Care for Children's Clothing Read Full Article: https://lnkd.in/dTvCvaRq #kidsclothingtips #kidscare #kidsclothing #kidswear #fashionblog #littlecheer

Adaptive fashion is like a superhero cape for people with disabilities—it's all about making clothing more accessible and empowering. Think about it: having clothes that actually fit comfortably and cater to your specific needs can make a world of difference in how you feel about yourself and how you move through the world. Imagine being able to easily fasten your shirt or adjust your pants without struggling. That's the magic of adaptive fashion! It's all about those little design tweaks that make a big impact, like magnetic closures instead of buttons or adjustable straps for a perfect fit. But it's not just about convenience—it's also about representation. When the fashion industry embraces adaptive designs and features models with disabilities, it sends a powerful message of inclusion and acceptance. Everyone deserves to see themselves reflected in fashion, regardless of their abilities. And let's not forget about the ripple effect. By prioritizing inclusive design, fashion brands are not only meeting the needs of a diverse customer base but also challenging outdated norms and stereotypes. That's a win-win for everyone! So, the next time you think about fashion, remember the power of adaptive design. It's not just about looking good; it's about feeling good and making the world a more inclusive place, one outfit at a time.

Transforming wardrobes one stitch at a time! ✂ ⁣ ⁣ Did you know that back at the turn of the 20th Century there were women known as the Dress Doctors, who taught in universities how to develop your style and create and curate a wardrobe of clothes that you love to wear and that fit, flatter and express your personality, using concepts from the world of art?⁣ ⁣ Let's reclaim the power of personalization and empowerment in our closets. Read more on the blog! #dressdoctor #lostartofdress

Yet another thing we able-bodied people take for granted - our undergarments. And not sure how I felt about VS for many years, but this adaptive wear, I think, is pretty darn awesome. Here's a snippet from the press release: NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Victoria's Secret and PINK announced the launch of VS & PINK Adaptive, their first-ever collections of intimates for women with disabilities. With the support of GAMUT Management (GAMUT), the premier consulting and talent management company working with and for people with disabilities. VS & PINK Adaptive was developed by incorporating direct feedback from people with disabilities throughout every step, including wear testing, focus groups, feedback panels and more. The collections are reflective of the company's mission to celebrate women of all body types, sizes and abilities, and it is proud to be the first major fashion brand to offer adaptive intimate products both online and in select stores. "As the first intimates brand to earn the GAMUT Seal of Approval™, we are honored to have partnered with Victoria's Secret and PINK throughout the creation of VS and PINK Adaptive to ensure an authentic approach of integrating women with disabilities throughout the go-to-market journey," said Mindy Scheier, Founder and CEO of GAMUT Management https://lnkd.in/ekvix5eW #disabilityawareness #focusgroups #gotomarketstrategy #chiefmarketingofficer #incitecreative