Unhidden: Adaptive Fashion Breaking Barriers For Disabled People
Adaptive wear is truly a game-changer for disabled people, providing them with the freedom to dress themselves, be more independent and finally have the medium of showcasing personality and style that the rest of the non-disabled population get to do every morning.
Adaptive wear is designed to make it easier for people with physical disabilities to get dressed and undressed independently. Until now, this has usually consisted of medicalised style clothing and baggy sweatpants or clothing that doesn’t reflect the individuality that personal style should offer. What you may not realise is that this type of clothing is not just about accessibility and convenience; it also plays a critical role in enabling disabled individuals to participate in social events, job interviews, and professional environments.
For disabled people, it can be challenging to find clothing that meets their needs. Traditional clothing may not be designed to accommodate assistive devices or may require fine motor skills that some individuals do not possess. This can be a significant barrier to independence and self-esteem, making getting dressed frustrating and time-consuming.
Unhidden is taking this industry by storm. The founder, Victoria Jenkins, took to London Fashion Week in February to showcase how her adaptive collection, all modelled by the disabled community, is here to change what access to fashion looks like. Unhidden: A New Era in fashion was brought to life in partnership with The Bicester Collection, Bicester Village and hosted from the showroom of the Kurt Geiger Headquarters in Central London.
This was a first-of-its-kind event, as the first official London Fashion Week show to be all adaptive fashion, with a full disabled model lineup. Unhidden is currently the only adaptive brand to be a part of the London Fashion Council. SIC was proud to work with Victoria and the Unhidden team in the lead-up and on the day, with our CEO Rachael ensuring that accessibility and inclusion were considered at every stage of the event planning and execution process.
“I know how exhausting it can be to enter a space and not know how accessible it’s going to be, or whether there reaches a point of ‘asking for too much.’ In the lead-up to the event, and on the day, we ensured that as many of those mental loads were on our shoulders, rather than the models and audience. I’m really proud of how truly inclusive the entire process was for everyone.”
Rachael Mole, SIC CEO
Unhiddens clothing is specifically designed to be easy to put on and take off, with features like easy pull zippers and magnetic fasteners, elastic waistbands, easy access slits for stomas and ports, and all made from soft fabrics that are gentle on the skin, making it comfortable for those with sensory sensitivities.
For disabled people looking to enter the workforce, adaptive wear can be a game-changer. Professional attire is often not designed with accessibility in mind, making it difficult for disabled people to dress appropriately for job interviews and professional environments.
In addition, adaptive wear can help disabled individuals feel more confident and empowered in the workplace. The ability to dress professionally and independently can make a significant difference in self-esteem and overall outlook. This can translate into better job performance, increased productivity, and improved job satisfaction.
Ultimately, access to adaptive wear can also help create a more inclusive and diverse work environment. By accommodating the needs of disabled people, workplaces can become more accessible and welcoming to all. This can lead to increased collaboration, creativity, and innovation, as individuals with diverse backgrounds and perspectives can work together more effectively.
Thinking of, or in the midst of, planning an event? From a small gathering to a full conference, why not get an accessibility and inclusion perspective to see what you’re missing, or what you could be raving about! SIC offers bespoke consulting packages, from an hours chat to a full project- see how we can help you out, contact us at hello@sicofficial.co.uk or fill out our contact form here.