‘Disabled people don’t need fashion’: Designer’s defiant response
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A designer who was told “disabled people don’t need fashion” says she felt so angered that she now has an adaptive clothing firm, which appeared on the catwalk at London fashion Week.
Intotum Hanan, 24, from North West England, launched her company, Intotum, after her grandad was diagnosed with cancer and struggled too find clothes that were both comfortable and stylish during his treatment.
“I realised there was a massive gap in the market,” she says. “He didn’t want to wear hospital gowns all the time, he wanted to feel like himself.”
But when she started researching adaptive clothing – garments designed for people with disabilities – she was met with negativity.
“I went to a fashion event and spoke to someone who said disabled people don’t need fashion, they just need practical clothes,” Hanan recalls. “I was so angry. It felt really dismissive and dehumanising.”
Determined to prove them wrong, Hanan started designing clothes that were both functional and fashionable. Her designs include magnetic fastenings, adjustable waistbands, and hidden pockets for medical devices.
Intotum made its debut at london Fashion Week in Febuary, showcasing a collection of vibrant and stylish adaptive clothing. The show was praised for its inclusivity and representation of disabled models.
“It was a dream come true,” Hanan says. “I wanted to show the world that disabled people deserve to feel confident and stylish, just like anyone else.”
Hanan hopes her work will challenge perceptions of disability and inspire other designers to create more inclusive clothing.
“Fashion shoudl be for everyone,” she says. “it’s about self-expression and feeling good in your own skin.”
Clothing designer aims to empower with inclusive workwear
Hanan’s grandad was a Merchant Navy engineer who took pride in his uniform – always sharply dressed with pressed trousers, a tucked-in shirt, and polished shoes. But a stoma bag began to affect his lifestyle, accessibility, and clothing choices.
“He’d ofen say how difficult it was to manage his stoma bag in public toilets, especially at football, and over time he stopped playing bowls for the same reason – something he’d done for 40 years,” Hanan explains.”Seeing clothing strip away his confidence like that broke something in me.”
Driven by this experience, Hanan has launched a workwear collection and hopes to open instore branches, creating stylish clothes tailored for people with different disabilities and neurodivergences. Her goal is to help people “feel empowered, not pitied”.
Adaptive Fashion designer Hana Hanan Empowers Disabled Community with Inclusive clothing Line
An adaptive fashion designer is gaining recognition for creating clothing that empowers disabled individuals, allowing them to dress independently and express their personal style. Hana Hanan’s designs focus on functionality and inclusivity, addressing a important gap in the fashion industry and fostering a sense of dignity and self-expression for a community often overlooked. However, Hanan has also voiced concerns that a major retailer’s recent adaptive line, while seemingly positive, has excluded a significant portion of the disabled community.
The Rise of Adaptive fashion
Adaptive fashion is a growing movement focused on creating clothing designed for the needs of individuals with disabilities. This includes features like magnetic closures,adjustable waistbands,and easy-access openings,making dressing easier and more comfortable for people with a wide range of physical limitations. Traditionally, disabled individuals have had limited options, frequently enough resorting to modifying existing clothing or relying on assistance to dress. https://www.forbes.com/sites/shelleykohan/2024/01/26/adaptive-fashion-is-finally-having-a-moment-but-is-it-inclusive-enough/
Hanan’s work specifically addresses the desire for stylish and accessible clothing. She notes that customers have reached out expressing how her designs have enabled them to “dress without thinking twice about what they can or can’t wear.” Some customers have shared that they’ve experienced self-reliant dressing for the first time in years, a testament to the impact of thoughtfully designed adaptive clothing.
Concerns Over Inclusivity in mainstream Adaptive Lines
Despite the growing awareness of adaptive fashion,Hanan has publicly criticized a major retailer’s recent launch of an adaptive clothing line,stating that it “shut out an entire community.” While the retailer’s efforts are a step in the right direction, Hanan argues that the line’s limited size range and design choices exclude many disabled individuals. Specifically, she points to the lack of options for people with more significant physical needs or those who require specialized features.
This highlights a crucial point within the adaptive fashion movement: inclusivity isn’t simply about offering some adaptive options, but about ensuring those options are genuinely accessible and cater to the diverse needs of the disabled community. https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2024/feb/02/adaptive-fashion-disability-inclusion-clothing
The Impact of Independent Dressing
Hanan emphasizes the profound impact of enabling independent dressing. “That’s what success looks like,” she says, highlighting the boost in confidence and self-esteem that comes with being able to choose and wear clothing without assistance. This independence extends beyond mere practicality; it’s about reclaiming agency and expressing individuality.
Key Takeaways
* Adaptive fashion is a growing field addressing the needs of disabled individuals.
* Inclusivity is paramount: Adaptive lines must cater to a diverse range of needs and body types.
* Independent dressing empowers: The ability to dress independently substantially impacts self-esteem and quality of life.
* Demand is increasing: Consumers are actively seeking adaptive clothing options that are both functional and stylish.
Looking ahead,the adaptive fashion industry is poised for continued growth. As awareness increases and designers like Hana Hanan continue to champion inclusivity, we can expect to see more innovative and accessible clothing options that empower disabled individuals to express themselves fully and live more independent lives. the future of fashion is, and should be, inclusive of all.
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