Victoria's Secret, a global lingerie brand, marked its inclusive debut by launching an adaptive fashion line at the Runway of Dreams show during New York Fashion Week last month. Runway of Dreams is a charitable organisation that primarily stages runway shows to highlight adaptive fashion. The brand partnered with Gamut Talent Management to create products designed with and for specially-abled people, taking a significant step towards embracing diverse body types and abilities.
Victoria’s Secret Step Into The World Of Inclusivity
Over the years, Victoria's Secret faced criticism for its lack of inclusivity, but recently, it began hiring models representing a broader range of people. However, it still lacked representation for customers with disabilities. Lydia Smith, Chief Diversity Officer at Victoria's Secret, attended an event hosted by Runway of Dreams and heard first-hand from women about their desire for an adaptive bra. This conversation led to a collaboration with Gamut’s team to create a line that was genuinely designed to meet the unique needs of women with disabilities.
Image Source: Vogue.com
Highlights From The Collection
The development process took a year, involving focus groups and design meetings, to ensure the products were authentically designed. The standout piece in the collection is an adaptive bra with front-facing adjustable straps and magnetic closures for ease of use, along with front buckles for adjusting the straps. These features make getting dressed more accessible for people with disabilities, addressing challenges that go beyond fashion and into intimate aspects of their lives.
The adaptive line extends beyond bras and includes slips, underwear, tights, and tennis skirts in bright and fun colours, breaking away from the standard neutrals commonly found in adaptive wear. The collection's introduction was met with enthusiasm by both models and the adaptive community. It addresses a long-standing gap in the market where most bras and lingerie are not sensory-friendly for people with disabilities.
Image Source: Fashionista.com
Lydia Smith emphasised the importance of fabric comfort and how it affects people with sensory issues. Many traditional bras are known for their itchiness and discomfort due to wires and improper fit. The Victoria's Secret team, in partnership with the adaptive community, created a fabric that is stretchy, comfortable, and soft to the touch, taking into account the unique sensory needs of their customers. The brand's decision to actively listen to and engage with the adaptive community marks a significant step forward in the fashion industry's journey towards greater inclusivity. The collection is now available in select stores and online, making adaptive fashion accessible to a wider audience.
The Show’s Impact
Mindy Scheier, founder of Runway of Dreams, said in a statement to Fashionista, ‘Victoria's Secret needed to understand what this consumer's needs were before they even started making the product. That's when we started working with them, pulling women with all different types of disabilities so that the product was authentically designed with and for women with disabilities.’
Victoria's Secret's adaptive fashion line signals a positive shift towards a more inclusive fashion industry, embracing people of all abilities and backgrounds. By actively engaging with customers and incorporating their feedback into product design, the brand is setting an example of how fashion can be truly inclusive and responsive to the diverse needs of its consumers.
Image Source: Fashionista.com
Find out all about Adaptive Fashion in India:
Is Indian Fashion Including People With Disabilities?
3 Inclusive Fashion Brands Embracing Adaptive Clothing