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An Inclusive Design Process
that Starts with EmpathyWhen asking only medical experts to help design
adaptive clothing, you treat the design process like healthcare, not fashion. These users need to go to places like prom and work. If it is based on function, it won’t serve the user. Adaptive clothing is for people with different bodies who want the same product. So, start we start the design process by asking the end-user what they want to wear. It is understandable and laudable that healthcare professionals create current adaptive clothing. But, doing that only gives you one point of view.Who are you designing for? Many adaptive clothing designs only work if the user can’t dress themselves. But there are two types of users in adaptive clothing,
non-independent dressers, and independent dressers. Independent dressers are ignored. Independent dressers are left out when the user is not part of the design process. It is crucial to start the design process from a place of empathy. Figure out who your users are and have an open conversation with their needs before figu
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Who Makes Adaptive Clothing?
Brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Zappos, Seven7 Jeans, and Kohls, along with several specialty brands, are entering the adaptive clothing space. While they’ve made great strides, many of their designs are still primarily rooted in function, and the user’s needs for self-expression is secondary. Outside of custom pieces no brand is truly getting it right because they do not consider what the consumer needs from a diverse perspective. Meaning, adaptive clothing is created with designers and medical professionals, but not the end-user.
Despite missteps, it is noteworthy and extraordinary that these brands entered the market because they show others they need to pay attention to this community. There are customers with needs that must be addressed.
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Inclusive Fashion
It is important to treat the adaptive clothing market like any other fashion market by making garments fashionable and stylish so the wearer may express themselves. By making adaptive clothing only about function and not allowing aesthetics, we dismiss an entire market, ultimately sending a message that people with special needs do not care about what they look like and do not matter. Fashion is communicating who you are and what you see in the world.
The industry has largely assumed adaptive clothing is a niche market, that it’s not diverse. But more recent investigation suggests it’s actually a vast market. Vogue Business estimates the market is a $400 Billion industry made up of several types of consumers. In the mainstream clothing realm, there are endless choices for people in the typical population. People choose brands that invoke feelings and allow for self-expression, and are our desired fit.
Many brands are still looking at this group like it is simply one type of customer even though the adaptive clothing market is diverse and lucrative. Just because you have a disability doesn’t mean you only want to wear sweatpants, or look and feel great!
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The Future of Adaptive Clothing
We are beginning to see adaptive clothing enter the mainstream fashion industry, providing more options for people with disabilities. There is an enormous financial opportunity, but it will only be realized once the users’ inclusion is part of the design process. Adaptive clothing is not just medical products but wearable technology.
