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For some people with disabilities, getting dressed isn’t always a simple task. Securing buttons, putting on a shirt, or even zipping up jeans may be difficult to do with the current selection of clothing available. Despite the fact that nearly 20 percent of people in the United States have a disability, most brands in fashion ignore the community in their designs.
Luckily, there is one mainstream designer who is actually doing something to help make fashion more inclusive. In 2016, Tommy Hilfiger worked with Runway of Dreams, a nonprofit that aims to make fashion more accessible for people with disabilities, to launch an adaptive clothing line for children with disabilities. That project was the first of its kind from a major fashion label. Hilfiger’s adaptive clothing — which features modified details like magnetic buttons, adjustable hems, and bungee-cord and Velcro-brand closures — now includes apparel for men and women as well.
"Inclusivity and the democratization of fashion have always been at the core of my brand's DNA," Hilfiger previously said in a statement to CNN. "These collections continue to build on that vision, empowering differently abled adults to express themselves through fashion."
The Tommy Hilfiger Spring 2018 adaptive collection was released Tuesday, and the campaign shines the spotlight on several influencers, athletes, and disability rights advocates. Paralympian gold medalist Jeremy Campbell wears jeans with a magnetic hem, which provides a wide opening that can be adjusted and pulled over his prosthesis. Blogger Mama Cāx’s chic trench coat and dancer Chelsie Hill’s striped dress also feature hidden magnetic closures.
These inclusive designs prove that clothing for people with disabilities is an easy step to take for larger brands. Hopefully, other designers will follow this example to provide even more options in the future.
To shop Tommy Hilfiger's new adaptive collection head over to Tommy.com.
