MP pays tribute to adaptive fashion at London Fashion Week

In a recent debate in Parliament about the cultural & economic impact of London Fashion Week, Daniel Francis, MP for Bexleyheath & Crayford raised the need to make adaptive clothing for disabled people more accessible. 

The debate provided an opportunity to celebrate adaptive fashion being showcased at this year’s London fashion week. Adaptive fashion enables people who have difficulties dressing themselves, be that due to physical disabilities, limited mobility or chronic pain to dress themselves with confidence.

Adaptive clothing pieces often utilise zips, velcro and magnetic fastenings to help support independent dressing, while also providing discreet access for medical ports. Daniel used the debate as an opportunity to pay tribute to the fashion brand Unhidden, founded by Victoria Jenkins, whose aim is to make fashion accessible and inclusive for disabled people. The new collection, which will be unveiled at this year’s London Fashion Week, will be modelled by individuals living with disabilities, chronic conditions or visible differences.   

“As the parent of a child with cerebral palsy, I know how important adaptive clothing is for someone with a physical disability and limited mobility. This campaign will highlight the need for more adaptive clothing on the high street.” 

Primark have launched an adaptive fashion range co-designed with Victoria Jenkins, which is available across 96 stores and is making clothing accessible, both physically and financially – for disabled people across the UK. Other large retail brands including ASDA and Marks & Spencer have adaptive clothing ranges for adults and children respectively.  

In his speech, Daniel welcomed the growth of adaptive fashion at both high street and high-end fashion level, but made the case that more still needs done to ensure that adaptive fashion is not a phenomenon but easily accessible and available for every disabled person.