Born Zippy: Adaptive Clothing Line Launches to Support Children with Additional Needs

A new Irish adaptive clothing brand, Born Zippy, is set to launch on March 21, coinciding with World Down Syndrome Day. The brand was created by Aoife Cotter, a mother of two, to address the challenges of finding suitable clothing for children with additional needs.

Addressing a Gap in the Market

Cotter’s inspiration stemmed from her personal experience with her eight-year-old son, Ted, who has both Down syndrome and autism. She found existing options for adaptive clothing were often bland and impractical, particularly when seeking sleepwear that would prevent him from removing his pyjamas and nappy at night. “I needed pyjamas with a zip up the back to stop him undressing at night and it simply wasn’t available in Ireland,” Cotter explained. Existing overseas options involved lengthy shipping times and lacked aesthetic appeal.

From Swimsuit Solution to Full Clothing Line

Initially, Cotter resorted to using a swimsuit for Ted to ensure he remained comfortably dressed during the night. Recognizing a widespread need, she decided to develop her own line of adaptive clothing. Born Zippy aims to provide functional and stylish options for children with a range of needs, moving away from the basic and often unappealing designs previously available.

Focus on Practicality and Design

The brand’s initial focus is on pyjamas featuring a back zip, designed to prevent children from undressing themselves. Cotter hopes to expand the line to include a wider range of adaptive clothing options in the future. Born Zippy’s launch on World Down Syndrome Day underscores its commitment to supporting children with additional needs and their families.

Born Zippy will officially launch on March 21st.