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 Right to Fashion

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.

Applications are now open for the 2025 edition of the Innovation Call organized by e-P Summit (May 21-22, 2025, Stazione Leopolda, Florence) in collaboration with UniCredit.

e-P Summit is Pitti Immagine’s event dedicated to Fashion and the digital world, born out of the realization that digital innovation is redefining the future of Fashion, making it more sustainable, efficient and connected.

Innovation Call Details

For the Innovation Call, the e-P Summit Scientific Committee is looking for projects that combine high tech & Fashion, creating innovative and internationally scalable business opportunities.

This initiative is aimed at emerging Fashion Tech startups and companies who want to present their innovative solutions to the qualified audience of Fashion professionals.

Project Themes

The main areas of interest, which will also be explored in depth at the event next May, are:

• 3D Design, Digital Prototyping & Production;
• Ai Solutions;
• e-Commerce & Omnichannel Innovations;
• Operational Excellence & Store Performance;
• Web3 & Metaverse;
• Digital Product Passports & Traceability;
• Greentech & Circular Economy Innovations;
• Digital Distribution Monitoring Solution;
• Wearable Technology.

From May 27 to 29, 2025 Senaf, in collaboration with Technofashion, will organize in Milan an appointment for all Fashion professionals.
Join Samab, don’t miss this glamorous event dedicated to Fashion technologies!

In a modern experiential format that integrates corporate spaces, thematic agora and focus arena, the new Samab event aims to enhance the excellence of Made in Italy Fashion producers with a three-day technical and technological event in our country.

The initiative, organized by Senaf in collaboration with Technofashion, will take place in Milan from May 27-29, 2025 under the patronage of the most important industry associations: ANTIA, Club IACDE Italia and Confindustria Moda – Federazione Tessile e Moda (Partnerships – Samab).

Technology & Italian style

Through an elegant format and hybrid exhibition + content nature, the event aims to represent a glamorous “Italian Style” experience that merges the art and culture of Italian Fashion with the technological innovation of the industry.

Visitors to the three-day event – production managers, fashion designers and pattern makers, prototyping technicians, logistics and distribution managers… – will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in this fascinating world, discovering the latest industry solutions and trends driving the Fashion Industry.

A unique opportunity for match making

The event’s program, spread over three days, will allow you to connect with a specialized audience and a network with international decision makers, initiating new partnerships and forging winning relationships with market leaders.

Samab offers the ideal opportunity to strengthen your business in the Fashion Technology Industry and to communicate your brand, while supporting the exchange of ideas, skills, knowledge and experience in the industry.

Location

Superstudio Maxi is the new 10,000-sq.m venue, 7,000 of which are indoor and 3,000 outdoor: a LEED GOLD-certified open space that has all the characteristics of a technologically advanced, multifunctional and entirely sustainable location.

Its strategic location makes it accessible with the Famagosta Line 2 subway, bike path and highways within a short distance, and provides public and private parking in the area. For this reason, Superstudio Maxi is the ideal place to host large private events or those open to the public.

An elegant and customizable format

Senaf has developed an ad hoc format for this 3-day event, offering the exhibitor and visitor a new experience in a condition of professionalism and comfort.

The uniform, refined and exclusive layout is designed by Prof. Arch. Michele Ottomanelli (School of Design of the Politecnico University of Milan); the exhibition format consists of a modular booth with an autonomous, interchangeable and scalable layout, so as to meet every Client’s need. In this way, the exhibition spaces are at the same time consistent with each other but extremely flexible.

A customized design and accurate rendering will be made for each participating company, and logistics and timing of delivery of goods, machines and materials will be coordinated in order to reduce the commitment and deliver a custom made product.

The inspiration of the concept

The module, designed to meet specific functionality and design requirements, is characterized by a few key principles inspiring the concept: elegance, spaciousness, and product visibility.

Elegance

The design focuses on creating an elegant and professional presentation of the exhibiting company. Clean lines, colors, and attention to each element are factors that help communicate the Client’s style and image effectively.

Spaciousness

The exhibition space appears open, welcoming and functional. The layout is reminiscent of the spaciousness of a square, a meeting place filtered by the double-stranded curtains – a reference to the world of Apparel and Fashion – which, while delimiting the spaces, allows for expanded views.

Company and product visibility

The new format maximizes the company’s visibility. Ledwalls, brandwalls, and monitors present the company’s image, while transparency enhances interest in the product on display.

Room for customization

In addition to a rich and selected catalogue of furniture elements, 1 or more printed or backlit reception desks, and 1 or more brandwall panels, printed, backlit or with monitor, can also be customized as distinctive signs.

More info

If you are intertested in receiving more info:

• Tel. +39 02 332039665
• info@samab.it
• Samab website

Are you interested in exhibiting or visiting? Contact us!

• Design and direction: SENAF
• In collaboration with: Technofashion & Tecniche Nuove Media
• Under the patronage of: ANTIA, Club IACDE Italia and Confindustria Moda – Federazione Tessile e Moda

The European Textile and Clothing Industry – EURATEX expressed its satisfaction with the proposed reforms to the EU’s customs system.

The association emphasised the need for a modernised framework that addresses the challenges of the digital age and fosters a level playing field.

EURATEX also highlighted its critical priorities for a successful reform:

• phasing out de minimis exemption (abolishing the €150 import duty exemption for small consignments that creates unfair competition for European manufacturers);
• harmonisation and streamlining of customs regimes across the EU, with simplified procedures and reduced administrative burdens for businesses;
• data security and transparency with the proposed EU Data Hub;
• effective implementation of Trust & Check Trader (T&CT);
• interoperability and data sharing among the various IT systems;
• structured dialogue with stakeholders to establish the EU Customs Authority (EUCA) to improve overall coordination and effectiveness.

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland announces a new initiative, “Energy First”, to address the challenges of energy and resource consumption in the forestry and textile industry.

The Energy First initiative aims to act as a starting point for an entirely new technology, which creates the conditions for the manufacture of low-carbon, energy-efficient, and recyclable fiber-based products.

Energy First and textiles

Regarding textiles, the project seeks to redefine the forest industry’s environmental impact and enhance the competitiveness of fibre-based products. For example, by making the products lighter, more of them could be produced for consumer use from the same amount of wood, which improves resource efficiency.

Swiss researchers from Bernd Nowack’s group at Empa’s Technology and Society laboratory have joined forces with colleagues from China to examine nanoparticles released from textiles more closely.

Details of the study

The Swiss and Chinese researchers published their findings in the journal Nature Water.

12 different polyester fabrics were washed up to 4 times, and the nanoparticles released in the process were analysed and characterised. The amount of particles released decreases significantly with repeated washes.

It is conceivable that the oligomer particles are created during the textile’s manufacturing or split off from the fibres through chemical processes during storage. Further studies are required in this area.

Nowack and his team are focusing on larger particles for the time being. In their next project, they want to investigate which fibres are released while washing textiles made from renewable raw materials and whether these could harm the environment and health.