Skip to main content
  • Accessibility
  • Headlines
  • Coronavirus-News
  • Get-Hooked
  • Technology
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Parasports
  • Ask Bhavna
  • NHBrandView
  • Independent Living
  • Lifestyle
  • NH Videos
×
Newz Hook – Changing Attitudes towards Disability Logo
  • Stories
  • Videos
  • Inclusive
  • NH Voice
  • Login
COVID-19 Notification by Government in Accessible Format

Accessibility Tools

Text Size:

Contrast Scheme:

  • C
  • C

Reset

  • Home
  • Get-hooked
  • We too have the right to look smart & gorgeous – My Take by Sai Kaustuv, Happiness Coach

We too have the right to look smart & gorgeous – My Take by Sai Kaustuv, Happiness Coach

Get-hooked September 25, 2018
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

In My Take this week, Sai Kaustuv, who stands out for his distinctive fashion sense, tells us what set him off on the journey towards designing adaptive wear for people with disabilities.

In 2016 I was nominated for a prestigious award and had to go onstage to receive it. It was at that time that I started thinking about how to present myself a little differently.

I wanted to change my look as disabled people are not here to look dull and down. We too have the right to look smart and gorgeous.

That’s when the idea of designing accessible clothing came to my mind. I started thinking about my limitations and how to design something according to my needs. The outcome is my famous attire which I prefer to wear on most occasions.

There are different types of disabilities around us, but for those of us confined to a wheelchair, what to wear becomes an issue. Many wheelchair users avoid going out as they feel they don’t look well dressed or well groomed.

A visually impaired person is able to move his arms and legs freely and dress like everyone else. That is not true for people with spinal cord injuries, osteogenesis Imperfecta, or muscular dystrophy. This makes many of them avoid social gatherings.

Designing the look

I too faced the same exclusions in my life and was disappointed by the lack of an equal mindset. I decided to change this outlook and present myself in a new way, so that people start talking about my attitude and dress code.

I designed my distinctive dhoti-kurta, to reflect Indian tradition and culture. I then added an angavastram to give it a vibrant look. I love kurtas but cannot wear then as I am unable to move my shoulders. The accessible dhoti-kurta and angavastram set is easy to wear and you don’t need to move the hands and legs much. They have been designed such that a disabled person can wear them with minimal assistance. They help disabled people to dress independently and look smart.

I have recently designed a formal Western attire – a suit with a shirt and tie. I had to attend an international felicitation ceremony and dress code was a suit. I designed a suit and dhoti, which is an India first. I find it hard to wear pants, so instead with the same suit cloth, I designed a smart dhoti with a cotton undercloth as this makes it easy for me to sit for a long time.

The end result was smart and grand and accessible, which is most important. Going ahead, I plan to design different attires for different events.

As a disabled Happiness Coach, my aim is to spread happiness and self-confidence through my accessible wear. We too have an equal right to participate in social functions looking well dressed. We need a designer or tailor who is sensitive to our needs and requirements. I look forward to working on short films, advertisements or special events like accessible ramp shows to make accessible clothing more popular among the disabled community.

ALSO READ:
Some tips for how to dress your best in a wheelchair

Watch in Sign Language

Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today

We need your continued support to enable us work towards Changing Attitudes towards Disability. Help us in our attempt to share the voices of people with disabilities that enable them to participate in the society on an equal footing!

Contribute to Newz Hook

NH Videos

Healing pain through art - Dr. Anubha Mahajan, Founder Chronic Pain India

Contribue to Newz Hook |Disability news. Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today.

Newsletter

 Subscribe to our Newsletter

Want to feature disability stories or share disability news with the disabled community? Write to:

editor@newzhook.com

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Get-hooked

“Break stereotypes, love yourself & follow your dreams”- My Take by Anmol Rodriguez

Get-hooked

Docudrama ‘Walking Mind’ about people with Brittle Bone disease releases on YouTube

Get-hooked

Parenting corner - ADHD & Discipline

Get-hooked

Seminar on inclusion and accessibility for the deaf community draws participants from many cities

Newz Hook Logo

About Newz Hook

Newz Hook | Disability News - media site focusing on Disability Stories and Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight disability news, offer inclusive solutions and create accessible collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who will share disability stories and news.
Lets come together to change attitudes towards disability!

Newz Hook is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Follow us on:

Related Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner with Newz Hook
  • Embed Newz Hook Timeline
  • Affiliate disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contribute to Newz Hook

Our Awards

Zero Project Award Winner 2018
Back To Top
© 2019 All Right Reserved. Inclusive News India Private Limited.

Ask Bhavna

All fields are mandatory unless specified as optional.