No longer confined to an elite or privileged group, Fashion is becoming increasingly inclusive and attentive to the diverse needs of consumers: among the most notable changes is the integration of people with disabilities.
What “Adaptive” means
Fashion Historically, Fashion has been an inaccessible industry for people with disabilities, who have often faced not only physical barriers in accessing stores, but also difficulties in finding clothing suitable for their needs.
However, in recent years, several companies and designers have begun to become aware of the need to create collections that meet the needs of a diverse clientele. And it is in this regard that we speak of Adaptive Fashion: that is, a type of Fashion designed and made for people living with permanent or temporary disabilities.
The issue of accessibility in Fashion is not only about clothing, but also about whether people with disabilities have access to the same opportunities for choice and participation as everyone else. In this context, the right to Fashion becomes an extension of the right to equality and nondiscrimination.
At the global level, a key step in the recognition of the rights of people with disabilities was the adoption in 2006 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

According to Article 30 of the Convention, states are called upon to promote policies that promote inclusion and ensure the full participation of persons with disabilities in social, cultural and recreational life by eliminating physical, communication and cultural barriers. The Convention recognizes the right to access goods and services, including Fashion.
The issue of accessibility and inclusion, with regard to people with disabilities, is regulated, in Italy, by Law No. 194/1992; however, there is a lack at the regulatory level of a law that expressly assigns to sectors such as, for example, fashion, a strategic role necessary to effectively guarantee inclusion in the various social and cultural spheres, including for people with disabilities.
The Role of Designers and Companies
In recent years, the world of Fashion has seen the emergence of designers and brands that stand out for their attention to diversity and inclusivity.
Prominent among them are the initiatives of Iris van Herpen, a Dutch designer who has used technology to create clothes that are adaptable for people with reduced mobility, and Sophie Cox, a designer who has developed collections designed for people with physical disabilities, incorporating elements such as magnetic zippers and cuts that facilitate the use of prosthetics.
Brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Primark, and Zalando have launched inclusive clothing lines, with garments that are easy to wear, with closures adapted for those with mobility impairments, or with fabrics that provide comfort even for those with special skin sensitivities.
Fashion for people with disabilities is no longer a niche, but is beginning to be a real trend that is finding its way into the main commercial circuits.
In conclusion
The future of Fashion also passes through building a more inclusive and accessible environment, where every person can feel represented, appreciated and free to express their individuality.
Although regulatory initiatives have remained rather scarce on this front, Fashion for people with disabilities is no longer just a dream, but a growing reality thanks to the contributions of designers, companies, activists, and people with disabilities themselves, all united by the goal of building a more equitable world for all.