Fashion for all

When she started her career in design in 2002 designer Nivedita Saboo employed a handful of girls with speech and hearing impairment to do beadwork They dont get work as household help Seventeen years hence they are still with us says Saboo And though they dont require aid while picking out their clothes or wearing them there are numerous other conditions and symptoms that make a differentlyabled wearer uncomfortable Or just look awkwardUzair Parvez KhanShe was keen to tweak usual styles and enable fashion to find a solution Earlier this year Saboo worked with Ekansh mdash an NGO for the differentlyabled in Munnar run by Anita Iyer mdash on a project that aimed to make life easier for patients across 21 different conditions while also ensuring that the line didnt stand out like an eyesore We invited fashion students from 13 Indian colleges to work on these ideasNivedita Saboo with models showcasing her acid attack survivor collection Theres a need in the industry to evolve in order to make this mainstream and sustainable So every student worked with a mentor who has a condition and figured out what works she recaps Saboo had also created a collection for acid attack survivors last year She and a few other Indian design houses are working towards making lives easier for Indians with special needsWheelchairbound gt Ease firstPutting on clothes can be tricky if you are wheelchairbound making the right cuts and types of fastening is crucial Madhya Pradeshbased House of Ameya has come out with a line for such customers which can also be altered as per their needsWe provide soft padding at the hip and knee to help moisture absorption and cushioning for comfort as people can be prone to skin irritation There are concealed zippers on the sides so pants can be opened without having to lift the person which is crucial if the person has gained weightAkanksha left and Meenakshi with their velcro pants designThe fastening is provided at the back or front and we use velcro or hooks which are easier to manage We avoid zippers on shirts and Tshirts as they could malfunction say designers Meenakshi Singh Baghel and Akansha Chouhan directors and cofounders of the fashion labe They have also introduced dungarees that have openings till the crotch area with magnet buttons which helps men use the washroom with ease For those who face single limb challenges they provide an elastic catch at the back instead of the side zippers and padding is only provided at the knee otherwise it can be prone to mishapsDowns Syndrome gt Fits fineFor Indorebased Uzair Parvez Khan growing up watching family members live with Down Syndrome was the inspiration that made him create a collection for them called Not Your Regular Style I used to see them struggle with eating and dressing up says Khan director and founder UzairsDr BS SinghalSo the collection they have includes hookeye or velcro fastenings for ease Another important factor is the use of rayon soft cotton with synthetic blends and lightweight stretchable denims We use a lot of multicoloured bright shades with prints which look stylish and also cover food stains We avoid cuffed sleeves and instead opt for loose kurtas or fullsleeved tshirts that can be rolled up easily Also padding over the knee hip and elbow is basic to cushion injuries Shoes are slipon yet firmlyfitted These changes help as they cant control their body movements or have weak balance he elaboratesOne of Saboos designs and sketches for patients with ParkinsonsParkinsons gt Fluid linesSaboo who worked with Mumbaibased Parkinsons Disease and Movement Disorder Society PDMDS for a fundraiser last year observed the problems patients faced which has resulted in the Shake it Up for Parkinsons 2019 fundraiser this weekend Movements like buttoning shirts or blouses using zips and making saree pleats can be a cumbersome affair As the condition progresses they can get stuck putting their arm into a sleeve lose balance while wearing their pants or skirts and will find it impossible to put on their shoes says Dr Bhim Sen Singhal founder PDMDSPresenting six solutions that include replacing softedged velcro and magnetic options for those who dont have pacemakers instead of buttons on the inside and having bigger buttons stitched outside Saboo promises to reduce the dressing up time span of 45 minutes to five The underwear is attached within the trousers and also detachable so it can be washed We have used elastic in pants and given a mock belt to ease their rounds to the washroom We will also showcase pleated sarees that can be worn on like an elastic skirt she addsShowing the wayThough the visuallyimpaired dont need altered clothing there are simple hacks that can make life easier for them Which is why the National Association For Blind NAB India has trainers to teach people to fasten button and zips as well as tie shoelaces by touch Braille marking on clothes such as a slit or stitched pattern helps them distinguish the front from the back Ironing clothes can be tricky Though we teach them safe techniques its best if they buy one that switches off automatically or sounds an alarm if its too hot says Pallavi Kadam executive director NAB They need someone to accompany them when they choose apparel for themselves as they cant figure out the style or colourCatch up on all the latest Mumbai news crime news current affairs and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to things to do and events across the city here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates