A Wren Says

I have been thinking a lot about what it really means for fashion to be inclusive. Thankfully, I am not the only one. I fell into a rabbit hole learning about adaptive fashion, which is designed to meet the needs of those in the disability community. One of the most well know players in the adaptive fashion landscape is Unhidden. The brand was started in 2020 by Victoria Jenkins following her own experience with disability. She brought her personal experience and knowledge of fashion and garment construction, to create clothes to meet her own and others’ needs.  

Exploring the site, you will of see representation of different conditions and races in the images. But it is reading the descriptions that helped me really understand the power of the clothes. That includes features for those who are wheelchair users, such as pockets lower on the pant leg for easy access while sitting. Other designs details, such as wider sleeves and wrap details on trousers, accommodate those who use chest ports or need ostomy bags.

I am new to learning about this part of the fashion industry. To be perfectly honest, while I have though about how clothes could fit ample hips and bellies, I did not have knowledge to think about the other need for the other features in Unhidden’s designs. This of course means that I need to continue to educate myself. I’ve got a lot to learn.