Category "Fashion Business"

Celebrating World Teacher’s Day – October 5th

Francesca Sterlacci - October 3, 2026 - Current Topics in Fashion, Fashion Art, Fashion Business, Fashion Design education, Fashion Education, Fashion Events, First & Largest Online Fashion Education Library, Instructor Spotlight, Pattern Making, Retail Marketing, Retail Math, retail merchandising, Sewing, The Making: University Of Fashion, Visual Merchandising

Did you know that October 5 is World Teachers’ Day?

Today, we celebrate the remarkable educators who have chosen one of the world’s most meaningful professions—especially the exceptional instructors of University of Fashion.

Becoming a fashion educator, in any specialty, requires far more than formal education. It takes years—often decades—of hands-on industry experience, continued learning, creative problem-solving, and a genuine commitment to sharing knowledge. Our roster of fashion professionals reflects that dedication, bringing real-world expertise, hard-won insights, and invaluable tips and tricks directly to our students.

From sewing beautifully tailored handmade buttonholes and draping on the bias to illustrating camouflage prints, mastering color theory, and exploring retail through visual merchandising, University of Fashion instructors teach the skills that bring fashion ideas to life. They are true sharers: generous with their knowledge, passionate about their fields, and committed to helping the next generation succeed.

Many of our instructors teach at leading fashion colleges around the world. Others have spent more than a decade in the industry—some more than 40 years—and many balance both professional practice and academic teaching.

On World Teachers’ Day, we extend our deepest gratitude to all 72 University of Fashion instructors. Thank you for your lasting contributions to the fashion industry and for inspiring our global community of subscribers over the past 18 years.

As the first and largest online fashion education library, University of Fashion is proud to celebrate the teachers who make learning possible.

Introducing our Team

Are you back at school and looking for a tutor?

Francesca Sterlacci - September 13, 2026 - Back to School, Current Topics in Fashion, Fashion Business, Fashion Design education, Fashion Education

University of Fashion’s Back-to-School Sale is like having a fashion-design fairy godparent—except instead of a wand, we’ve got 550+ on-demand videos, and instead of midnight curfew, we’re open 24/7.

What you get (without the all-nighter panic)

Access to professional fashion education whenever inspiration strikes—or when your professor says, “It’s due tomorrow.”
Lessons taught by experienced fashion-industry pros across 13 design and business disciplines (because yes, fashion school involves both sketching and spreadsheets).
Expert guidance for mastering technical skills, building business smarts, or simply regaining the confidence to face that blank mood board.

How students actually use us

Untangling tricky design assignments (darts, draping, and “why won’t this sleeve behave?” moments).
Powering through business assignments without Googling “what is a line sheet?” at 2 a.m.
Finding last-minute inspiration when the paper is due, the coffee’s gone, and your muslin looks suspiciously like a potato sack.

With 550+ tutorials across 13 fashion disciplines, University of Fashion is basically your always-on studio mentor—minus the judgmental side-eye when you pin backwards.

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:

Regular price: $220
Now: $165 with code TUTOR
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.

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.

Back to school sale image $55 off a yearly subscription

UoF’s Back to School Sale: Get Your Own Private Tutor

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.

Our 13 Different Lesson Disciplines: Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced

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:

Regular price: $220
Now: $165 with code TUTOR
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.

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

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

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

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:

Regular price: $220
Now: $165 with code TUTOR
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.

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!

What I Learned After 25+ Years as a Fashion College Professor — Part Two

This week’s blog continues my two-part series reflecting on what I learned over more than 25 years as a fashion college professor. My career included 17 years teaching at the Fashion Institute of Technology, followed by 3 years as Chair of the Fashion Design department, and later 6 years teaching graduate-level fashion design at the Academy of Art University. Throughout that time, I had a front-row seat to students’ journeys into the fashion industry, observing how they navigated everything from the application process to making the most of their education once accepted.

In Part One, I focused on helping prospective students understand how to choose and apply to fashion colleges. In Part Two, I shift my focus to fashion educators, offering insight into how they can support students in thriving and creating a meaningful, positive experience once they begin their studies.

Student Insecurities

I still vividly remember my own first day at FIT as a student. Sitting in a class of 200 students selected from a pool of 2,000 applicants, I felt both grateful and overwhelmed. Alongside the excitement came a wave of insecurity: Was I talented enough? Could I keep up with the workload? Had the school made a mistake in accepting me?

That uncertainty quickly eased thanks to my professor. She welcomed the class warmly, invited each of us to introduce ourselves and share where we came from, and immediately created a sense of belonging. She then reviewed the syllabus, emphasized the importance of deadlines, explained attendance and grading policies, and opened the floor for questions.

Throughout my years of teaching, I adopted this same approach. I found that students are far more likely to succeed when they clearly understand expectations from the outset. In later years, the department introduced a detailed grading rubric outlining the criteria for each grade level (A, A-, B, B-, C, C-, D, F). Students were asked to sign this document, which not only helped manage expectations but also supported faculty in addressing the challenges of grade inflation.

Access to Tutoring

University of Fashion — the perfect answer to the tutor and upskilling problem. (Image credit: University of Fashion)

As school budgets continue to tighten, many fashion programs have had to eliminate the free tutoring services they once provided. I remember during my time at FIT, top-performing students were hired to support peers who needed extra help managing the workload. Faculty also made themselves available before and after class to guide struggling students. However, union regulations requiring additional compensation for extra hours, combined with budget constraints, gradually brought these valuable support systems to an end. Today, many students are left to navigate these challenges on their own.

That gap is exactly what inspired the creation of University of Fashion. In 2008, I set out to support aspiring fashion students—first by helping them prepare for the fashion school application process, and then by building a comprehensive library of lessons taught by leading fashion college professors and industry professionals. The goal was not only to provide accessible tutoring for students, but also to empower educators.

University of Fashion gives teachers the tools to expand their curriculum and refine their skills without needing to return to school. With limited time and resources, many faculty members benefit from the flexibility of learning and teaching enhancement from home.

UoF Lesson Disciplines

UoF’s 13 different lesson disciplines. (Image credit: University of Fashion)

Today, University of Fashion offers over 550 lessons across 13 disciplines, including Draping, Sewing, Patternmaking, Accessories, Childrenswear, Menswear, Knits, Product Development, CAD Fashion Art, CAD Patternmaking, Fashion Business, and a wide range of Fashion Lectures covering topics such as A.I for Fashion Design, Costume History, Color Theory, Textile Design, Fabric Studies, Sustainable Design, and many more. We support hundreds of fashion students worldwide while also helping educators broaden their teaching scope.

Testimonials

Don’t just take our word for it—explore some of what our students and educators have to say.

Just a few of our many testimonials. (Image Credit: University of Fashion)

Complement not Replacement

It is important to note that University of Fashion was founded as a complement to, not a replacement for, fashion college education. Our mission was to inspire anyone interested in a career in the fashion industry and to preserve the art & craft of fashion for current and future generations. As we celebrate our 18^th anniversary, we are proud that we have succeeded in being the first and largest online fashion education resource, not only for aspiring designers, current fashion school students and teachers, but as a resource for anyone who is curious about a fashion career.

The New Fashion Essential: Sewing Skills Are Reshaping Fashion Careers

Francesca Sterlacci - June 6, 2026 - Bespoke Tailoring, Current Topics in Fashion, Fashion Business, Fashion Events, Fashion Innovation

University of Fashion offers 92 different sewing lessons from beginner to advanced. (Image credit: University of Fashion)

In an era dominated by fast fashion and disposable clothing, an unexpected shift is underway: sewing is back in style. Once considered a fading skill, the art of stitching, mending, and tailoring garments is experiencing a meaningful revival—both as a creative pursuit and as a viable, in-demand career path.

A June 7 article in The Wall Street Journal, “Vanishing Trade of Tailoring Revives,” highlights just how significant this resurgence has become. Tailors are now in such short supply that Nordstrom has partnered with the Fashion Institute of Technology to support a training program in custom alterations and tailoring. The demand is striking, the program received 190 applications for just 15 spots when it launched last fall.

The Data

Bureau of Labor Statistics Chart by State 2023

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were approximately 18,500 tailors in the United States in 2024, representing nearly a 30 percent decline over the past decade. This shortage has hindered efforts to revive domestic apparel manufacturing and made it increasingly difficult for retailers such as Nordstrom, Men’s Wearhouse, and Jos. A. Bank to fill alterations roles. Dry cleaners are also struggling to find skilled professionals to meet customer demand.

Federal data shows that the annual wage for a dressmaker/tailor/custom sewer is between $22,000 – $60,000 based on skill level and location. However, with demand outpacing supply, skilled professionals are increasingly able to command higher wages and steady work in a growing market.

At the heart of this trend is a growing awareness of sustainability. Consumers are increasingly questioning the environmental cost of mass-produced clothing and are turning toward more responsible practices. Learning how to sew empowers individuals to extend the life of their garments, reduce waste, and make thoughtful choices about what they wear. Instead of discarding a beloved piece, people are choosing to repair, alter, or reinvent it—skills that lie at the core of sewing expertise.

AI Job Displacement leads to Sewing Careers

An excerpt from University of Fashion’s lesson, Pressing Tools & Techniques. (Image credit: University of Fashion)

As artificial intelligence reshapes the workforce and displaces certain jobs, new opportunities are beginning to surface. One notable shift is in the growing demand for tailoring services, fueled in part by the rise of GLP-1 weight loss medications and the resulting need for garment alterations. At the same time, more consumers are embracing resale fashion and choosing to modify existing pieces rather than replace them—creating fresh momentum and relevance for skilled tailors.

University of Fashion’s 9-part menswear tailoring series. (Image credit: University of Fashion)

Where to Find Training?

Once a staple of high school education, home economics often served as a gateway to careers in tailoring, dressmaking, and fashion design. As these programs disappeared from school curricula and more women entered the corporate workforce, opportunities to learn sewing and garment construction in traditional classrooms declined significantly.

In response, a number of organizations have stepped in to fill this educational gap. The University of Fashion, founded in 2008, is the first and largest online fashion education platform with 550 video lessons, taught by industry professionals. Of the 500 lessons, 92 of the lessons are sewing specific and nine focus exclusively on menswear. Their lessons equip students with practical skills, enabling them to earn certificates, confidently enter the workforce and/or start their own fashion brand or bespoke/alterations business.

American Tailors & Sewing Association (ATSA) is based in Columbia, South Carolina, and focuses on establishing industry standards and providing professional development for tailors, alterations specialists, and garment construction professionals.

Association of Sewing & Design Professionals (ASDP) is based in Grandville, Michigan and supports people who sew or design professionally, offering education, certification, and networking for sewing and fashion-related careers.

American Sewing Guild (ASG) is a national nonprofit organization for people who enjoy sewing, with local chapters, online classes, and events focused on advancing sewing as both an art and a life skill.

Time to Put Out Your Shingle?

Available on Etsy: a personalized tailor shop hanging sign. (Image credit: Etsy)

Once seen as niche or old-fashioned professions, these roles are now essential in a fashion landscape that values customization and longevity. From hemming trousers to reshaping vintage finds, skilled professionals are in high demand. Bridal wear, in particular, continues to rely heavily on expert alteration specialists, while everyday consumers increasingly seek personalized fits that off-the-rack clothing simply cannot provide.

Ultimately, the return of sewing is more than a trend—it is a reflection of changing values. As consumers prioritize sustainability, individuality, and quality, the demand for skilled sewing professionals will only continue to grow. Whether pursued as a hobby or a career, learning to sew is no longer just a practical skill—it is a powerful statement about the future of fashion.

UoF Launches Adaptive Fashion Series

Francesca Sterlacci - May 30, 2026 - Current Topics in Fashion, Fashion Business, Fashion Education, Fashion History, Fashion Innovation, Instructor Spotlight, Marketing, New University of Fashion Lessons

Poster frames of UoF 5 lesson Adaptive fashion series University of Fashion launches their 5-part Adaptive Fashion Series taught by Tracy Vollbrecht of Vollbrecht Adaptive Consulting (Photo courtesy: University of Fashion)

Did you know that there are more clothing options available for dogs than there are for people with disabilities? It took a long time coming, but the fashion industry is finally addressing the needs of the disability community, which is known today as Adaptive Fashion.

Thanks to our expert Tracy Vollbrecht, the University of Fashion is launching its 5-part Adaptive Fashion series to help educate the industry in the Adaptive Fashion marketplace. Our new series covers: the history adaptive fashion, how to design & develop adaptive fashion and how to merchandise and market product for the adaptive fashion consumer.

Tracy Vollbrecht of Vollbrecht Adaptive Consulting and University of Fashion instructor (Image courtesy: Vollbrecht Adaptive Consulting)

Our series begins with the terminology used when referring to various types of disabilities. Ms. Vollbrecht also offers a downloadable Terms and Definitions document to help understand appropriate language and terms used is this specialized market segment.

Molly Farrell, a white woman with brown hair, is shown in this photo wearing ULEX, one of the brands Tracy designed and helped launch. Molly is wearing a royal blue wrap cardigan and gray pants, while seated on bleachers. She is smiling brightly and her pink forearm crutches are visible in the photo.

Adaptive fashion designed by Tracy Vollbrecht for Yarrow featured on the Canadian TV show Fashion Dis (Image courtesy: Tracy Vollbrecht)

Ms. Vollbrecht’s history of the adaptive market covers such innovators as Helen Cookman, who in 1955, began researching the market potential of adaptable clothing at New York University’s Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation after being recommended for the role by New York Times style editor Virginia Pope. Cookman would spend the next four years developing a collection called Functional Fashions, which was a collection of 17 items designed to help disabled people dress independently. However, Ms. Vollbrecht explains that upon the passing of Helen Cookman and Virginia Pope the functional fashion movement began to fade and was replaced with clothing intended to make dressing easier for the elderly. It wouldn’t be until 2004-2007 that The Adaptive Fashion Showroom and the company Wheeliechix-Chic, founded by Louisa Summerfield, came into being and would take adaptive fashion to the next level.

Monica Engle Thomas, a white woman with curly auburn hair, is shown in this photo wearing a white Yarrow sleeveless button down that Tracy designed. Monica sits in her black and white manual wheelchair. She also wears sunglasses and jeans, while holding the leash to her small dog.

Monica Engle Thomas wearing a white Yarrow sleeveless button down designed by Tracy Vollbrecht (Image courtesy: Yarrow)

Tracy Vollbrecht Interview

UoF founder Francesc Sterlacci sat down with Tracy Vollbrecht to learn why she became interested in designing for the adaptive market and her thoughts on where the market is headed.

Francesca: Were you formally trained as a fashion designer and if so, where? What motivated you to pursue a career in adaptive fashion?

Tracy: I am! I graduated from Kent State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design. At Kent, I had the opportunity to conduct research on adaptive fashion, which was still in its second-wave infancy. I say second-wave as there was a first wave of adaptive fashion in the 60s (check out the history of adaptive fashion lesson to learn more!). Within the research I conducted, I spoke to over 75 people with varying disabilities to learn about their challenges with clothing. My research culminated in a universally designed collection shown at Kent’s annual fashion show, a published research paper, and presenting my research at various conferences, including the International Textile and Apparel Association’s annual conference. The work I did at Kent showed me that clothing challenges weren’t just an issue my dad, who had MS, had experienced, but an issue that so many people face. This motivates me every day to continue the work I do – clothing should allow everyone to express themselves and feel good, not just some of us.

Francesca: How in demand are designers with adaptive fashion expertise? How did you connect with the companies that you have designed for in this space?

Tracy: Unfortunately, adaptive fashion is still very much a niche portion of the fashion industry, which is what myself and others are working to change. There isn’t a high demand for adaptive fashion designers yet. I’m hopeful that the niche will grow and there will be more demand for designers, merchandisers, buyers, marketers, etc with adaptive fashion experience. The companies I’ve worked with have either sought me out, were referred to me, or that I connected with them through network connections.

Francesca: Can you name the companies that you have designed for and/or who you are currently working for? Are their dedicated online and brick & mortar stores exclusively selling adaptive fashion?

Tracy: My first adaptive fashion role was with Juniper Unlimited where I designed and helped launch their brands’ Yarrow and ULEX. In my consulting work with Vollbrecht Adaptive Consulting, I’ve developed training resources for Target, taught lectures at IFA Paris, conducted research for Open Style Lab, and more. I can’t share who I’m working with at the moment, but I am definitely excited for what’s to come! At this stage, adaptive fashion is almost exclusively online. As we talk about in our merchandising lesson, online shopping has both pros and cons for the Disabled consumer. It’ll be great to see brands start to carry adaptive products in store, where the shopper can find them organically.

Francesca: What are the biggest challenges in designing for people with physical challenges?

Tracy: The biggest challenges for creating adaptive fashion are the variety in needs and the fashion cycle. Within the disability community and even within the same disability (physical or not), there is so much variety in clothing needs, body shape, and challenges. No two disabilities are the same, which is why it’s so important for brands to work with people with disabilities. However, the time and effort needed to properly develop clothing that actually works for all is at odds with the fast-fashion, trend driven nature of the fashion industry currently.

Molly Farrell wearing a top designed by Tracy Vollbrecht from ULEX- one of the brands she helped launch (Photo courtesy: ULEX)

Francesca: Do you see the adaptive market growing since companies like Tommy Hilfiger and other big brands have become more inclusive?

Tracy: Definitely! There is so much potential for brands to tap into the unmet needs of consumers with disabilities. Just because a few brands have gotten into the space doesn’t mean there isn’t room for more brands, all brands really, to get into the market. There will be “enough” adaptive fashion when consumers with disabilities have the same amount of choice in brand, price, and style as consumers without disabilities.

Francesca: What advice do you have for our students who may be interested in designing adaptive fashion?

Tracy: My advice to any student is that adaptive fashion is more than just adaptive design. Every role within the fashion industry (merchandising, product development, buying, marketing, etc.) is needed to make sure adaptive fashion gets into the hands of the consumer. If you have an interest in adaptive fashion, pursue it! Follow Disabled creators on social media; stay up to date on what brands are doing; volunteer for fashion shows. For designers specifically, adaptive fashion is still fashion. Getting experience working for fashion brands is essential. Since the adaptive market is still growing and there aren’t many adaptive design roles, take advantage of learning the process of design and development for non-adaptive fashion as that process still applies to adaptive fashion.

To learn more about Tracy Vollbrecht:

Cell: 732-632-7071

Website: www.vollbrechtadaptiveconsulting.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-vollbrecht/

Company LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/vollbrecht-adaptive-consulting

Learn More About the Adaptive Market

Read the book: All About Adaptive by Michele Chung

Learn how a new store in Pasadena, California caters to Adaptive Fashion consumers: Sewn Adaptive

So, tell us, how will you be pursuing a career in the Adaptive Fashion market?

From Runway to Real Life: Making Fashion Fit for Everyone

Francesca Sterlacci - February 28, 2026 - Adaptive Fashion, Fashion Business, Fashion History

University 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.Chihuahua 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

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’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 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 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.

Sewing’s Comeback is More than a Hobby — It’s a Quiet Revolution

Francesca Sterlacci - November 1, 2025 - Current Topics in Fashion, Fashion Business, Fashion Events, Fashion Innovation, Sustainability, Women in Fashion

Have you been following the news lately? Sewing is experiencing a strong comeback, with numerous recent articles highlighting its resurgence in popularity, especially among younger generations. The revival is driven by trends in sustainability, customization and personal fulfillment. It’s a reaction against fast fashion and serves both as a creative outlet and a therapeutic activity that promotes mindfulness and stress relief.

Who better to teach these new sewists? Well, University of Fashion of course!

Fashioning Identity

There are 30 million sewists in the U.S. alone, many of whom are teens and tweens. As younger generations crave both individuality and social connection, one of the best ways to get them off their screens is to send them to a sewing boot camp. Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram have been driving interest among Gen Zers, by documenting their enthusiasm for sewing as a sustainable, expressive act, countering fast fashion with handmade clothing.

The New York Times’ Sept. 4, 2025—Article on sewing’s resurgence (Image credit: The New York Times)

Recently, The New York Times reported that sewing is “cool again”, pointing to a surge in demand for sewing classes, with people drawn to saving money, upcycling, and learning skills once associated mostly with older generations.

Harper’s Bazaar and similar outlets point to shifting cultural attitudes toward handmade garments—from “second-rate” to novel, valued, and often more expensive than off-the-rack options, driven by both quality and individuality.

Axios reported that people are flocking to sewing centers and learning how to embroider, alter and make items like tote bags, skirts and pants from scratch.

Entrepreneurial Sewing Workshops on the Rise

Looking to start your own business? If you are a great sewer and are looking for a new business idea, well, why not get a group subscription to UoF and open your own sewing workshop?

The New York Sewing Center at 246 W 38th Street, 9th Floor, Suite 9A, New York City (Image credit: The New York Sewing Center)

Inspired Sewistpreneurs

The New York Sewing Center in Midtown Manhattan, was founded by former fashion designer Kristine Frailing. She offers full day sewing boot camps, evening courses, embroidery workshops and classes on the basics of alteration.

At Carolina Textile District in Western North Carolina, workshops are being offered from basic sewing to materials sourcing and product development. CTD connects makers, designers, and entrepreneurs to a reliable domestic supply chain, so quality products can be made in the U.S.

In Washington, DC, Antoinette Lee opened her studio, A Special Lee Sewing Studio, out of her home and has been continuously offering sewing and upcycling classes.

In Miami, Jesy Anderson, owner and creator of Needle, Ink, and Thread opened her workshop in 2016. She even has a sewing class called Sew and Grow for kids.

Shop Rat, a popular weekly newsletter by Emilia Petrarca (Image credit: Shop Rat)

A promoter of fashion sustainability is journalist Emilia Petrarca who publishes Shop Rat, a newsletter featuring a Repair Month series with tips for saving your most beloved garments, including interviews with experts, personal mending adventures, and recommendations.

Eva Joan, a mending studio and one-stop -shop for alterations was founded by Bjorn Eva Park and Emma Villeneuve. Located at 28 Jane Street in New York City, the shop is named after their respective grandmothers.

Thrifting Stats — Did You Know…

According to Capital One Shopping Research:

16 to 18%of Americans shop at thrift stores each year; 12 to 15% shop at consignment or resale stores.

93% of Americans shop online for secondhand items.
In 2023, the U.S. secondhand market generated an estimated $53 billion in revenue.
There are over 25,000 resale, consignment, and not-for-profit resale shops in the U.S.
Thrift store shoppers save an average of $2,071 per year by purchasing secondhand.
Approximately one-third of clothing and apparel items purchased in the U.S. over the past year were secondhand.

So yes, sewing’s comeback isn’t just stylish, it’s a revolution!

Will Reshoring Garment Manufacturing Ever Be a ‘Thing’?

Francesca Sterlacci - September 18, 2025 - Current Topics in Fashion, Fashion Business, Fashion Events, Fashion History, Fashion Innovation, Fashion School, Uncategorized

Once upon a time in the distant land of “Maybe Soon,” a group of garment manufacturers decided to bring all their factories back to the good ol’ U.S.A. They called this magical idea “reshoring.” Everyone was excited—and then reality set in.

Why Factories Became Extinct

It all started in the 1970s, as brands realized that there were much larger profit margins to be had by outsourcing manufacturing to what were then known as Third World countries, India, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Singapore and later Vietnam, Bangladesh, Mexico, Malaysia, Cambodia and China. Gradually, domestic supply chains began to disappear like textile manufacturing, garment factories and trim suppliers. “Made in USA” garments became more expensive for consumers and fast fashion became the rage. Cheap, throwaway clothes were hard to complete with for anyone trying to produce domestically. People loved their fast fashion too much. It was cheaper to buy new than fix old, even if your favorite shirt had mysteriously acquired a coffee stain that looked like the map of Europe.

Today, when industry leaders fantasize about producing clothes domestically, you often hear statements like, “but Americans can’t work like the Chinese”, meaning long hours and for cheap labor. The only products that can be made in the U.S.A are luxury-priced merchandise where price is no object. Can we change this?

Maybe Soon—Maybe Never

While our current government regime promises that by imposing blanket tariffs on countries, it will bring manufacturing back to the states. Not so fast, especially not for the garment business. Why? Because reshoring at scale faces significant structural, economic, and logistical challenges that make a large-scale shift unlikely under current conditions. Key challenges include:

High labor costs: U.S. labor standards and minimum wages mean the cost to produce a basic T-shirt domestically can be several times higher than sourcing from low-wage countries like Bangladesh or Vietnam. This makes most “Made in USA” garments more expensive for consumers.
Lost infrastructure and supply chains:Decades of offshoring have eroded the once-robust American garment supply network, including mills and finishing operations. Many key inputs (fabrics, buttons, zippers) are now almost entirely imported, creating further dependence on global supply chains.
Limited manufacturing capacity:The small size and limited capacity of remaining U.S. factories means they cannot currently meet the vast demand of the domestic market. Large-scale reshoring would require substantial new investment and workforce development.
Skills and workforce shortages:There are few skilled garment workers available, and vocational training programs have declined, creating bottlenecks for companies wanting to expand domestic operations.
Higher regulatory and compliance burdens:S. labor and environmental regulations, while protecting workers and the environment, increase compliance costs and bureaucratic complexity for manufacturers.

To accomplish the goal of reshoring, fashion industry leaders must lobby Washington. Our government will need to subsidize and help replace lost supply chains and infrastructure, as well as provide adequate training and guarantee a livable wage to factory workers. They will also need to invest and fund:

Technological advances: Automation, robotics, and 3D knitting can offset some labor costs, especially for custom, small-batch, or just-in-time production. In the past the government has funded scientific research, solar power and electric cars. Why not the fashion industry?
Policy support: There are legislative efforts, such as the proposed FABRIC Act, to incentivize domestic production through tax credits and grants but it’s not enough. Much more needs to be done.

In summary, while tariffs and restrictive trade policies may provide short-term protection and spur limited investment in homegrown manufacturing, their overall effectiveness is mixed and highly contingent on the structure of supply chains, the responsiveness of domestic industries, and international retaliation. Most evidence indicates that they are best used narrowly, as part of a targeted suite of industrial policies, rather than as a broad solution for revitalizing homegrown manufacturing at scale.

When and if Washington gets serious about reshoring, University of Fashion will be here to help train those who are ready, willing and able to Make America Stitch Again!

Hey, remember the good old days when your clothes didn’t come with a side of “where in the world was this really made?

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Category "Fashion Business"

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Will Reshoring Garment Manufacturing Ever Be a ‘Thing’?

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