University of Fashion Blog

Category "Adaptive Fashion"

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School’s back in session—and so are we!

- - 3D Design, 3D Fashion Design, Adaptive Fashion, AI Fashion, Back to School, Bespoke Tailoring, CAD, Childrenswear, Color Theory, Couture Techniques, Current Topics in Fashion, cut & sew knits, Draping, Fashion Art, Fashion Business, Fashion Education, Fashion History, Fashion Illustration, Fashion Lectures, Fashion School, Illustration, Knits, Marketing, Pattern Making, Plus Sizes, Retail Math, Sewing, Sleeve Designs, Special Offer, Sustainability, Swimwear, Tailoring, Visual Merchandising, Womenswear

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 Think of us as every student’s best-kept secret: your own private fashion tutor, available on demand.

Our mission is your success. Whether you’re a student or teacher at a high school or college—anywhere in the world—and you need support with curriculum development, class projects, or building your portfolio, we’re here for YOU.

What you get

Access 550+ on-demand video tutorials across 13 fashion disciplines, all taught by experienced fashion professors and industry professionals:

  • Draping: daywear, athleisure, evening & bridal, swimwear, intimate apparel

  • Pattern Making: daywear, athleisure, evening & bridal, swimwear, intimate apparel

  • Sewing: machine & hand stitching, seam and hem finishes, zippers, couture techniques, tailoring, embroidery, leatherwork, and more

  • Fashion Drawing: figure drawing for men, women, and children; fabric rendering; design details; watercolor, pastels, and more

  • Knits: knitting, crocheting, and cut-and-sew knits

  • Menswear: measuring the male body and drafting bespoke patterns from measurements

  • CAD Art: Illustrator, Photoshop, Procreate, 3D design, AI fashion design, textile design

  • CAD Pattern Making: Tukatech pattern drafting and marker-making software

  • Accessories: handbags, small leather goods, shoe design

  • Product Development: starting a brand, adaptive fashion, tech design, flats, specs, tech packs, 3D design, AI fashion design

  • Childrenswear: global sizing and free kids’ pattern slopers for boys’ and girls’ wear

  • Fashion Business: start-up, retail, branding, fashion law, licensing, visual merchandising, and more

  • Lecture Series: adaptive design, costume history, sustainable design, color theory, trend forecasting, textiles, visual merchandising, and more

Special back-to-school offer

We typically run this promotion only once a year (during the holidays), but to help teachers and students get a head start, we’re offering $55 off our annual subscription:

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  • Offer expires: October 1, 2026

Ready to elevate your fashion education? Use code TUTOR at checkout and start learning today.

If you are a school or group, we offer a free trial so that you can sample our content before taking advantage of our reduced rates for schools & groups.

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Hurry, our offers expire October 1, 2026. Please note that the student discount promo code can only be used by teachers for their own personal use and not for use in the classroom. For our group subscription rates (5+ people) and to learn more about our free trials, scan the Group QR code above.

And just because we love every single fashionista out there, you don’t need to be a student or teacher to take advantage of our back to school promo, our sale is open to everyone!University of Fashion Promo code - TUTOR. $55 off a yearly subscription Was $220 now $165. Off expires 10.1.2026

 

 

From Runway to Real Life: Making Fashion Fit for Everyone

- - Adaptive Fashion, Fashion Business, Fashion History

1-Adaptive Fashion 5-part seriesUniversity of Fashion’ 5-part Adaptive Fashion series taught by Tracy Vollbrecht (Image credit: University of Fashion).

The fashion industry is slowly but steadily transforming adaptive fashion from a niche afterthought into a visible, growing part of mainstream apparel, driven by disability advocates, specialized pioneers, and now big-box and fast-fashion players. While progress is uneven and often fragmented, brands, retailers, educators, and policymakers are beginning to rewire systems—from design studios to runways and e‑commerce—to better serve disabled consumers. This market has become a $400 billion adaptive clothing opportunity for the fashion industry.Chihuaha Fashion e-Ascension-liftChihuahua fashion (Image credit: ebay.com) and Ascension Wheelchair Lifts (Image credit: Ascension Lift)

Did you know that there are more fashion choices for dogs than for people with disabilities? That’s right—the average chihuahua has a wider wardrobe than millions of humans. That is why, together with adaptive fashion designer Tracy Vollbrecht, University of Fashion has set out to change that with our a 5-part series on the topic!

Our lessons aim to shift fashion from an exclusive space to an inclusive one. We begin by examining disability representation—or more accurately, the lack of it—and how Disabled people have often been excluded from the fashion conversation.

Learn the Language

Preferred terms for adaptive fashion

Excerpt from our Introduction to Adaptive Fashion lesson outlining terms and definitions for the Adaptive Market (Image credit: University of Fashion).

Understanding the adaptive fashion market begins with understanding the language used to talk about disability. Within the disability community, language matters deeply. There are two primary approaches: person-first language (e.g., person with a disability, person who uses a wheelchair, person with autism) and identity-first language (e.g., Disabled person, autistic person, wheelchair user). Because language is personal and constantly evolving, it’s best to follow the individual’s lead. For instance, if someone identifies as a “wheelchair user,” use that term; if they prefer “person who uses a wheelchair,” use that instead.

Mobility aids and assistive technologies—like wheelchairs or screen readers—are tools of freedom and independence, not limitations or burdens. They enable Disabled people to live full, self-directed lives.

Lastly, avoid euphemisms that originate outside the disability community, such as “handicapable,” “special needs”, or “differently abled”. These terms often don’t reflect the preferences of Disabled people themselves. As always, the best approach is to respect how each person chooses to describe their own experience.

History of Adaptive Fashion

Helen Cookman collection 1955, Functional Fashions

Helen Cookman’s 17-piece adaptive collection, Functional Fashions, 1955. (Image credit: The Shapes United).

If you’re thinking about entering the adaptive fashion market—whether as a designer, brand, or retailer—let’s take a quick journey through its fascinating history before meeting the innovators driving today’s 21st-century movement. The story begins with something as small but revolutionary as the button, invented in the 13th century, and moves forward to 1941, when Velcro made its debut. These key developments in garment closures laid the groundwork for what would become adaptive fashion.

In 1955, Helen Cookman, following a recommendation from New York Times style editor Virginia Pope, began exploring the potential of adaptable clothing at New York University’s Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Over the next four years, she developed Functional Fashions—a 17-piece collection designed to help people with disabilities dress more independently and was one of the earliest and most influential adaptive clothing initiatives in the United States.

Adaptive Fashion Today

Tommy Hilfiger adaptive kids' collection

Tommy Hilfiger 2016 adaptive kids’ collection, Fashion for All.  (Image credit: People Magazine).

Tommy Hilfiger was one of the first fashion brands to focus on this market when in 2016 he launched a children’s “Fashion for All” adaptive clothing line, featuring magnetic buttons, Velcro closures, and adjustable hems designed for easier dressing and seated wear. In 2017, he expanded to include adults.

Many brands are now creating dedicated adaptive collections rather than token one-off pieces. These lines typically integrate functional modifications directly into trend-aware garments, so they read as fashion first, not medical wear.

In 2025, the CFDA/VogueFashion Fund introduced a powerful new focus on adaptive fashion. They created an annual challenge competition reframing inclusive design not as a specialty category, but as a fundamental element of modern luxury fashion with Tommy Hilfiger as a sponsor and guest judge.

Mass retailers such as Target, Kohl’s, and Primark also added adding adaptive capsules, often developed with disabled designers or specialist partners, and distributing them through large footprints and click‑and‑collect networks to normalize access.

Specialist labels including IZ Adaptive, Silvert’s, Adaptions by Adrian, and others continue to serve as R&D hubs, refining seated tailoring, open‑back constructions, and sensory‑friendly basics that larger brands now reference.

For More on Adaptive FashionSusan Rothman Kolko's book Adaptive Fashion

Adaptive Fashion: How People with Disabilities Experience Clothing  By Susan Rothman Kolko

To learn more about how people with disabilities experience clothing read Susan Rothman Kolko’s book, Adaptive Fashion. If you are interested in creating your own adaptive fashion, be sure to subscribe to University of Fashion and complete all 5 lessons that we offer on the subject.

Final Thoughts

From the humble button to high-tech closures, adaptive fashion has always been about more than clothing—it’s about independence, dignity, and expression. As we look to the future, today’s designers carry forward a legacy built on creativity with purpose.

 

 

University of Fashion Certificates of Completion

- - 3D Design, 3D Fashion Design, Adaptive Fashion, AI Fashion, Current Topics in Fashion, Draping, Fashion Art, Fashion Business, Fashion Education, Pattern Making, Sewing, Sustainability, Technology, University of Fashion Certificates

Our subscribers had been asking us for years how they could earn a certificate upon completion of our lessons. We listened. In 2022, we announced our University of Fashion Certificate of Completion program and the rest is history! Thousands of paid subscribers have been earning certificates for FREE ever since we launched the program. Are you one of them?

Sure you can attend fashion school and pay thousands of dollars. But for those in the ‘know’, University of Fashion has many of the same lessons & instructors who teach at the best fashion schools (FIT, Parsons and others). So, why not take advantage by learning from our 550 lessons and earning a certificate along the way?

Earn a UoF Certificate for Your Efforts

UoF CertificateExample of a subscriber’s University of Fashion Certificate of Completion

How UoF’s Certificate of Completion Program Works

Example of a subscriber’s My Learning page – listing lessons ‘in-progress’ & 100% completed

All University of Fashion paid subscribers can now receive a Certificate of Completion for any and all completed lessons and lectures. You can track your individual progress toward earning a certificate by clicking on the My Learning tab on the left side of your Account page. Here you can track all of your lessons and your lesson progress. You can even print out your certificates!

Is there a Cost for a UoF Certificate of Completion?

There is NO extra charge for a University of Fashion Certificate of Completion. If you are a paid monthly or yearly subscriber and have completed one of our lessons, you are automatically eligible to obtain a certificate.

Example of a student’s My Learning page showing the lesson discipline, certificate & date earned

Benefits of a UoF Certificate of Completion

Beyond that feeling of accomplishment at having learned and mastered a new subject or technique, there are many other benefits to earning our Certificates:

  • Present your certificates to prospective employers, along with examples of your completed draped, drafted, drawn and/or sewn projects
  • Include UoF certificates in your portfolio for job applications and college admission purposes
  • Frame your certificates as proof of your competence in multidisciplines to show to your clients
  • Export and email your certificates to your instructors for extra credit
  • Prove to your current employer that you have upskilled in a particular area like 3D & AI design, adaptive fashion, sustainability and other cutting edge areas
  • Demonstrate to a school administrator proof of your competence and proficiency in teaching additional subjects

Start learning and earning your certificates. Sign-up at https://www.universityoffashion.com/sign-up/

Spread the word! Start completing lessons and printing out your UoF certificates. Let us know how many you’ve earned!

ATTENTION ALL TEACHERS

- - 3D Design, Adaptive Fashion, Back to School, CAD, Childrenswear, Color Theory, Draping, Fashion Art, Fashion Business, Fashion Education, Fashion History, Fashion School, Illustration, Knits, Licensing, Marketing, Pattern Making, Retail Math, Sewing, Site News, Special Offer, Sustainability, Swimwear

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Your students’ success is our business!

We’ve created a generous discount code so that when your students get stuck with their school assignments they can visit University of Fashion to get help.

Our yearly subscription was $220 but is now $180 until October 1, 2024.
Use promo code SCHOOL at checkout.

UoF Sign-up Page QR Code

And, guess what? This promo code also works for teachers too! (for personal use only- not for classroom).

  • Are you a teacher looking for help planning your curriculum?
  • Are you a teacher looking to upskill?
  • Do you have a student who is looking to prepare a portfolio for fashion school admission?
  • Do you have a student looking for help with their projects?
  • Do you have a student who is in need of tutoring?

We’re here for YOU!

Our mission is your success whether you’re a student or teacher at a high school or college from anywhere around the world. We offer 550+ on-demand video lessons in 13 different disciplines all taught by fashion professors & industry pros:

  • Draping
  • Pattern making
  • Sewing
  • Fashion Drawing
  • Knits
  • Menswear
  • CAD Art: includes Illustrator, Photoshop, Procreate, 3D design &  textile design
  • CAD Pattern making
  • Accessories: includes handbags, shoes & small leather goods design
  • Product Development
  • Childrenswear
  • Swimwear
  • Fashion Business: includes business start-up, retailing, branding, licensing & more
  • Lecture series: includes adaptive design, color theory, trend forecasting, textiles, visual merchandising, etc.

We usually only make this offer once a year (during the Holidays), BUT we are so, so, so, happy to offer a $40 discount on a yearly subscription for the 2024/2025 academic year.

Hurry, hurry, hurry, the offer expires October 1, 2024.

Please note that the discount promo code can only be used by teachers for their own personal use and not for use in the classroom. For a group subscription click this link to inquire about our Group Subscription Pricing: https://www.universityoffashion.com/group-registration/

 

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Teachers- take a screen shot of the sign-up QR Code below and share it with your students:

Use promo code: SCHOOL

REMEMBER: THIS OFFER EXPIRES 10.01.2024

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Adaptive Design Shines at the Paris 2024 Paralympics

- - Adaptive Fashion, Co-author Tracy Vollbrecht, Current Topics in Fashion, Fashion Education, Fashion Events, Fashion Innovation, Paris Olympics 2024

 

 

The PHRYGES- Mascot for the Paralympic Paris Games 2024 symbolizes liberty & freedom

The Phryges (pronounced “FREE-jes”) – the mascot of the Paris 2024 Olympics and the Paralympics mascot with a running blade. (Image credit: paralympic.org)

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games begin August 28 and end September 8. They will include more than 4,400 athletes from around the world, competing in 549 medal events and showcasing 22 individual and team sports. In this week’s blog, we will explore some of the uniform kits that the athletes will be wearing, the adaptive design details that have been incorporated into the designs and the brands that designed them. But first, a little background into the mascot and the history of the Paralympics.

images of PHRYGES caps, the mascot of the Paris Paralympics

Men wearing Phryges caps- the mascot of the Paris 2024 Paralympics (Image credit: (cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2024/08/07/phryges-olympics-paris-mascot-hats-inclusivity/)

The mascot for the Paris 2024 Paralympics is a small, red stuffed animal with big blue eyes and eyelashes, and is based on the famous Phrygian cap, a symbol of liberté during the French Revolution (58 Olympiads ago). The Paralympic mascot has a running blade, to represent athletes with disabilities, promoting inclusivity and the values of the Paralympic Games.

Paralympics History

Did you know that the word “paralympic” derives from the Greek preposition “para” (beside or alongside) and the word “Olympic”? In 1948, at the Opening Ceremony of the London 1948 Olympic Games, Dr. Ludwig Guttman (known as the father of the paralympic movement) organized the first Stoke Mandeville Games for disabled war veterans, all with spinal cord injuries who competed in wheelchairs. The Stoke Mandeville Games later became the Paralympic Games, which officially took place in Rome in 1960, featuring 400 athletes from 23 countries. In case you wondered what is the difference between the Paralymics and the Special Olympics, the Paralympics focuses on individuals with physical disabilities, while the Special Olympics specifically showcases those with intellectual disabilities. However, both groups compete every four years.

 

Australian Paralympic Team
image of the Australian Paralympic uniforms

The Australian Paralympic 2024 ceremonial uniforms designed by Australian apparel & footwear brand R.M. Williams (Image credit: Ragtrader.com)

Subscribers and followers of University of Fashion already know that we have recently launched a 5-part Adaptive Fashion Design series, created by Tracy Vollbrecht, an adaptive fashion designer/consultants for many brands in the adaptive fashion marketplace. So it made sense that I would ask Tracy to join me in covering the Paralympic uniforms kits designed for athletes competing at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Starting with the Australian Paralympic team, Tracy and I were happy to learn that the athletes got to collaborate in the design process with Australian apparel & footwear brand R.M. Williams. This marks the eighth consecutive partnership for which the R.M.Williams has supplied uniforms, following successful collaborations for the Australian Paralympic teams at every Summer and Winter Games since Vancouver 2010.

With accessibility a key component of adaptive performance clothing, elasticated waistbands were added to the shorts and chinos. The uniforms also include accessibility features such as push studs in place of buttons, allowing the wearer to button up or down with minimal contact. Their sneakers include a zip closure in place of laces, and magnetic poppers in place of a zipper on jackets for functional ease.

The athletes’ t-shirts incorporate artwork by indigenous artist Rheanna Lotter, a proud Yuin woman and founder of the aboriginal art collective Ngandabaa. Her artwork has been featured in every Paralympic uniform since 2016. The t-shirt design features eight circles representing the Australian states and territories, tracks to represent the connection between the Paralympians, and boomerangs to represent challenges overcome in the journey to the games. The athletes will be wearing these uniforms to both the opening and closing ceremonies.

 

Adidas Collaborates with Several Paralymic Teams
Adidas' adaptive basketball uniforms, tailored specifically for wheelchair and seated athletes, were created in collaboration with Adaptive Sports Northwest (ASNW), a Portland-based non-profit for adaptiveathletics The uniforms

Adidas’ adaptive basketball uniforms, tailored specifically for wheelchair and seated athletes, were created in collaboration with Adaptive Sports Northwest (ASNW), a Portland-based non-profit for adaptive athletics (Image credit: Adidas.com)

Adidas, has been outfitting global athletes in various sports for years. Prior to the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the brand’s designers and engineers spent two years working collaboratively with the best in the game to ensure an athlete-first fit, including Adaptive Sports Northwest (ASNW), a Portland-based non-profit for adaptive athletics, ParalympicsGB, Team D Paralympics, Brooklyn Nets and wheelchair basketball teams in Germany. For the Paris 2024 Paralympics they outfitted the following teams: Great Britain, Germany, Poland, Cuba, Turkey Philippines and Ireland.

Great News: Adidas announced that they have made some of the adaptive pieces available to consumers to purchase.

Image of man in wheelchair wearing Adidas universal training team wear

Adidas applies universal design to official teamwear (Image credit: news.adidas.com)

Adidas announced that 81% of pieces of apparel worn on and off the field of play have been created using universal design principles (designs that work for athletes with and without a disability), however,  there were certain design considerations that were specific to Paralympic athletes. According to Adidas those details included: “the smart placement and/or inclusion of seams, avoiding light colors on the cuffs of performance wear to optimize aesthetics following dirt transfer from wheels, using soft threading where possible, moving team iconography from covered areas – such as the lower back – to those that are visible while seated, changing trims to be adaptive-first to work around limited movement, removal of any complicated fastenings including small buttons or zips, and offering zipped ankle cuffs for ease of dressing for those with limb difference, and opening a wider range of product lengths for athletes of different heights.”

Other keys to designing adaptive sports fashion is how well the garment fits, how it makes the athlete feel, and how functional it is to get on or off? Adidas applied these considerations with their “shaped workout t-shirt and pant via thoughtful construction that maps key areas of irritation with reduced seams and soft threading to help minimize interactivity with skin. The pieces are optimized for those who are training to compete in seated sports – such as rowing and volleyball and sports played in a wheelchair, like basketball. They’re crafted from materials carefully selected from wider training collections for their stretch properties for freedom of movement, durability when interacting with supportive equipment and comfort against the skin. These are applied in key areas including extra soft materials on the waistband of the pant, and use of soft seam tapes to reduce skin irritation. Mesh fabrication in t-shirts complete the design to ensure breathability in key areas where body and wheelchair connect.”

Lululemon for Team Canada
Paris 2024 Olympics & Paralympics Canadain Team by Lululemon

Lululemon Team Canada Summer Athlete Kit for Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games (Image credits: Photo by Scott Ramsay for Lululemon)

This marks the second time the Canadian brand has dressed its home country’s Olympic and Paralympic teams, but the first time it is creating athlete kits for warm weather. To understand each athlete’s unique physical and mental needs during the Games, and in the spirt of collaboration, the Lululemon design team included their athletes in the design process. This resulted in product testing and feedback sessions with 19 Canadian Olympic and Paralympic athletes across 14 different sports

Lululemon’s kits are a blend of function and style that incorporate innovative construction and performance fabrics, featuring ultra-lightweight and stretch fabrics, as well as thermal comfort with SenseKnit technology and sweat-wicking fabrics to enhance breathability through ventilation. They’ve incorporated customizable drawcords, newly engineered pocket shapes and placements, magnetic-close zippers, pull-on loops, and sensory touch guides. The two adaptive styles, the Seated-Fit Carpenter Pant and the Seated-Fit Packable Rain Poncho are intentionally designed to deliver functionality and comfort in a seated position.

Like Adidas, Lululemon they’ve made their adaptive apparel available for the general public to purchase.

Nike for Team USA

image of Nike Accessibility Center of Excellence

Teammates from the Nike Accessibility Center of Excellence, DEI Team, and the Disability Network, previewing Nike’s EasyOn footwear technology at the 2024 Disability:In global conference and expo, the premier corporate accessibility and disability inclusion event of the year. (Image credit: Nike LinkedIn)Well, you’ve probably heard about the backlash at the Olympics against Nike for their women’s ‘s one-piece high cut track & field uniforms that many thought were sexist & skimpy. And, how about how Paralympians who petitioned Nike for not allowing the sale of a single shoe, though Nike uses amputees to advertise their footwear?

 

Amputee jumping a hurdle

Berlin 2018 World Para Athletics European Championships / Marcus Hartmann/GettyImages (Image credit: Underthelaces.com)

Despite all the drama, each member of Team USA received a “Nike Athlete Bag”, containing 50 pieces of apparel, footwear and accessories, including “interview wear” and “village wear”. Nike’s EasyOn footwear innovation, is particularly noteworthy for Paralympians since it eliminates the need for laces and zippers.

For seated athletics and athletes with prosthetic legs, special considerations were made for added function and comfort. The customizations includes a second pocket entry at the thigh, enhanced ventilation, a longer leg vent with a zipper for easy access, an articulated sleeve for improved range and magnetic-base zippers on jackets, which are extremely popular in adaptive apparel. Click here to see the magnetic zipper in action.

To learn more about designing for the Adaptive Market, be sure to view our 5-part Adaptive Fashion series: Introduction to Adaptive Fashion, Disabilities & Adaptive Fashion,  Adaptive Fashion Customer & Market Analysis, Developing Adaptive Fashion, Merchandising & Marketing Adaptive Fashion.

ANNOUNCING : OUR BACK TO SCHOOL SALE

- - 3D Design, Adaptive Fashion, Back to School, CAD, Childrenswear, Color Theory, Draping, Fashion Art, Fashion Business, Fashion Education, Fashion School, Illustration, Knits, Licensing, Marketing, Menswear, Pattern Making, Retail Math, Sewing, Site News, Special Offer, Sustainability, Swimwear, Technology

UoF back to school promo image

School is back in session and we’re at your service !

Our mission is your success and so, if you are a student or teacher at a high school or college from anywhere around the world, and you are looking for help with your curriculum and projects, then we’re here for YOU!

We have 550+ on-demand video lessons in 13 different disciplines all taught by fashion professors & industry pros:

  • Draping
  • Pattern making
  • Sewing
  • Fashion Drawing
  • Knits
  • Menswear
  • CAD Art: includes Illustrator, Photoshop, Procreate, 3D design &  textile design
  • CAD Pattern making
  • Accessories: includes handbags, shoes & small leather goods design
  • Product Development
  • Childrenswear
  • Swimwear
  • Fashion Business: includes business start-up, retailing, branding, licensing & more
  • Lecture series: includes adaptive design, color theory, trend forecasting, textiles, visual merchandising, etc.

We usually only make this offer once a year (during the Holidays), BUT to give both teachers and students a head start this school year, we are so, so, so, happy to offer a $40 discount on a yearly subscription to UoF. Please note that the discount promo code can only be used by teachers for their own, personal use and not for use in the classroom. For a group subscription click this link to learn about our Group Subscription Pricing: https://www.universityoffashion.com/group-registration/

image of yearly back to school promotion

Use promo code: SCHOOL

REMEMBER: THIS OFFER EXPIRES 10.01.2024

UoF Sign-up Page QR Code

UoF Students Sign-up Page QR Code

UoF Group Sign-up QR Code

UoF Group Sign-up QR Code

 

 

 

 

ADAPTIVE FASHION BRANDS: BREAKING STYLE BARRIERS

- - Adaptive Fashion, Current Topics in Fashion, New Lessons

Aaron Rose Philip for Collina Strada fall 2022. (Photo Credit: Collina Strada)

In the world of fashion, inclusivity and accessibility are becoming more than just buzzwords—they’re transforming the industry. Adaptive fashion, designed to cater to the needs of individuals with disabilities, is gaining momentum. These innovative brands are leading the marketplace, proving that style and function can coexist beautifully. If you haven’t yet viewed our 5-part series on adaptive fashion, created by industry expert, Tracy Vollbrecht, then get going! This is one of fashion’s fastest growing market, especially with an aging Baby Boomer cohort who are finding themselves in need of stylish, easy access fashion choices.

Here are a few adaptive fashion brands redefining the style landscape.

TOMMY HILFIGER ADAPTIVE

Looks From Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive Collection. (Photo Credit: Tommy Hilfiger)

Tommy Hilfiger has long been a household name in fashion, and the brand’s adaptive line is a game-changer. Launched in 2016, Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive offers stylish, high-quality clothing with modifications like magnetic buttons, Velcro closures, and adjustable hems. This line is designed to empower individuals with disabilities, allowing them to dress with ease and confidence.

SEVEN7 ADAPTIVE

A look from Seven7 able. (Photo Credit: Seven7)

Known for trendy denim, Seven7, a brand that originated in Europe n the 1960s, has entered the adaptive fashion scene with their Seven7 Able line. These jeans feature side zippers, elastic waistbands, and a faux button fly front, ensuring comfort without giving up on style. Seven7 Able’s collection accommodates special needs consumers who want to maintain their chic, denim-forward aesthetic.

NIKE FLYEASE

Nike’s FlyEase shoes were one of the first shoes for the adaptive market. (Photo Credit: Nike)

Nike’s FlyEase collection epitomizes the blend of innovation and practicality. Designed with adaptive athletes in mind, FlyEase shoes incorporate features like zippered heels and adjustable laces, providing ease of use without sacrificing performance and style. This collection is proof that high-functioning athletic wear can be inclusive and fashionable.

UNHIDDEN

A look from Unhidden’s Fall 2023 Collection. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Unhidden is a British brand dedicated to creating elegant adaptive wear. Founded by Victoria Jenkins, who has firsthand experience with the fashion needs of people with disabilities, Unhidden offers garments with discreet openings for medical devices, easy fastenings, and stylish cuts. Their designs ensure that everyone can feel fashionable, regardless of their physical challenges.

SLICK CHICKS

Lingerie from Slick Chicks. (Photo Credit: Slick Chicks)

Lingerie should be comfortable, functional and stylish—Slick Chicks hits all three marks. Their adaptive underwear line features panties with front and/or side velcro fasteners. Their bras are designed with front velcro closures and front accessible straps (instead of back), making it easier for individuals with mobility issues to dress independently. Slick Chicks believes that everyone deserves to feel confident in their own skin and their designs reflect this philosophy.

VON RUZ

A dress from Von Ruz. (Photo Credit: Von Ruz)

Von Ruz is a fashion label that effortlessly merges high fashion with adaptive functionality. Their collections include elegant dresses, versatile tops and chic outerwear, all designed with hidden magnetic closures, adjustable hems, and sensory-friendly fabrics. Von Ruz’s pieces are perfect for those looking to make a sophisticated style statement.

AUF AUGENHOEHE

Looks from Auf Aufaugenhohe. (Photo Credit: Auf Aufaugenhohe)

German brand Auf Augenhoehe focuses on creating adaptive clothing for people with dwarfism. Their designs are tailored to ensure the perfect fit, addressing issues such as proportion and ease of movement. Auf Augenhoehe’s commitment to inclusivity is evident in their attention to detail and dedication to meeting the unique needs of their customers.

AILLE DESIGN

A look from Aille Design. (Photo Credit: Allie Design)

Aille Design stands out for its commitment to both fashion and social impact. The brand’s founder, Alexa Jovanovic, works with blind and visually impaired people to create customizable clothing with beadwork that forms tactile patterns – which can be read by touch, allowing visually impaired individuals to appreciate the designs. Aille Design is not only adaptive but also artistically inspiring, proving that fashion can be a sensory experience for all.

JUNE ADAPTIVE

Looks from June Adaptive. (Photo Credit: June Adaptive)

June Adaptive offers a range of stylish and functional clothing options for men and women. With features like magnetic buttons, elastic waistbands, and sensory-friendly fabrics, June Adaptive’s designs cater to individuals with various disabilities. Their goal is to provide fashionable solutions that make daily dressing more accessible and enjoyable.

IZ ADAPTIVE

Looks from IZ Adaptive. (Photo Credit: IZ Adaptive)

IZ Adaptive, one of the pioneers in adaptive fashion, was founded by designer Izzy Camilleri. IZ Adaptive collections include everything from casual wear to formal attire, all designed with modifications like magnetic closures, seated cuts, and adjustable features. Their clothes are tailored to provide both style and comfort, making them a favorite among fashion-forward individuals with disabilities.

EMBRACING INCLUSIVITY IN FASHION

These brands are not only creating clothing, they are fostering a movement towards greater inclusivity and understanding in the fashion industry. Adaptive fashion is more than a trend—it’s a testament to the power of innovation and empathy, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the confidence that comes with wearing clothes they love. If you want to be part of this inclusive movement, be sure to watch UoF’s Adaptive Fashion Series by Tracy Vollbrecht. We just launched the last two lessons in her Adaptive Fashion series.