Adaptive fashion is designed for people with permanent or temporary disabilities. These garments offer additional functionality to make dressing easier and more comfortable. Based on input from parents of Disabled kids and having examined what is currently available on the market, Zalando opted for a stylish base wardrobe that can be worn throughout the year and be easily combined with non-adaptive garments.

Markus Breitsameter, Team Lead Design Textiles at Zalando, explains: “On top of the individual needs, which can be very different from one child to another, we also kept the parents or caregivers in mind when designing the collection. While our garments enable kids to dress independently, they also support parents in dressing their child, which often has to happen multiple times a day. It’s the small details that can make a big difference – for instance, a wider neck to help pull a t-shirt over the kid’s head, a couple of buttons to open the trousers wider, a discrete opening to access a Port-a-Cath or a stoma more easily, etc. We gathered such valuable information during feedback rounds with parents and caretakers throughout the design process.”

He continues: “Like all other children, Disabled kids grow, play, get dirty and gain knowledge and skills over time. This requires frequent changes of outfits, and so their wardrobe needs to be flexible as well. That’s why we decided to sell several items in multipacks at an affordable price. True to the Adaptive principle of “Style first”, the garments combine necessary functionalities with a sleek look, with Adaptive features integrated in a subtle way.” 

A space to collaborate and to learn

Finding fashionable, functional and affordable clothing still represents a major challenge for Disabled people. An estimated 1.3 billion people worldwide experience significant disability according to WHO3. This represents 16% of the world’s population, or 1 in 6 people, yet the fashion industry largely fails to meet their needs. Zalando wants to help close this significant gap in the fashion market by offering a varied selection of stylish adaptive fashion across price and size in one place.

Aylin Dobberstein, VP Private Label & Product Supply at Zalando, emphasises: “We are proud to have developed a comprehensive Adaptive assortment for all genders and age groups via our Private Labels in all our 25 markets. We are engaging with brand partners as we share insights on design, Adaptive features and customer feedback to further expand and enrich our offering with its Adaptive collections. We encourage brands to join us in this mission.”

By exchanging knowledge and learnings across the business, BOSS has launched six women’s and six men’s Adaptive footwear styles with Zalando this summer. The high-end, fashionable, and functional product collection focuses on making getting dressed easier and includes easy-to-grab zippers and removable insoles.

Furthermore, Zalando has recently added more Adaptive styles from brand partners in its offering. Recent examples include:

Adaptive training wear by Adidas introducing the brand’s first pattern and finishes crafted specifically for athletes who play sports while seated or in a wheelchair.A selection of the award-winning4 backpacks and crossbody bags by JanSport, launched following a three-year collaboration with Disability:IN, a global nonprofit focused on increasing inclusivity for the Disabled community.An extensive range of Skechers handsfree slip-in sneakers, that make it much easier for both kids and adults to put their shoes on and take them off.

Zalando’s Private Labels team continues to develop its Adaptive wear collections to ensure a trend-relevant selection and continuously improve the functionality of Adaptive products based on customer feedback. Early October, the next autumn/winter collection of Adaptive footwear for adults will become available. The designers have focused even more on Easy On/Easy Off functionalities, such as easy-to-grip zipper pullers featuring a stud to help visually impaired customers distinguish between the left and right shoe by touch. These specific design details are intended to make the products easier to use, while fashionability still is key. Women’s footwear includes a popular Mary Jane style shoe alongside other, more chunky silhouettes, men’s footwear features a selection of tall boots and a modern sneaker.

Aylin Dobberstein concludes: “Since the initial launch of Adaptive fashion at Zalando in October 2022, the response by the Disabled community has been extremely encouraging. Many customers were specifically asking when we would be launching Adaptive kidswear and I’m very happy that that day has come. I’m proud of our designer and buyer teams for creating such an extensive and comprehensive range of Adaptive wear, answering the needs of so many Disabled customers.”

Note: The content of this press release has not been edited by Fibre2Fashion staff.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RM)