Varija Trust’s research on adaptive clothing hopes to put the focus on inclusion in fashion

Varija Life Trust has started inviting applications for research on adaptive clothing. Over 27 prominent colleges across India are part of the research. They will look into various ways to develop interesting, stylish and comfortable clothes for wheelchair and crutch users, people with ADHD, autism and Down syndrome. The initiative is garnering a lot of attention as this is first of its kind in India.

Wearing comfortable and exciting clothes marks confidence, sense of style and charisma. The thousands of boutiques and brands across India opens up an array of clothes to choose from. For a person with a disability, especially on a wheelchair, finding the right clothes can be quite tough. Though designers in major Indian cities are working on adaptive clothing, there is still a long way to go. Varija Life Trust is all set to make a difference. They are gearing up to conduct a research on adaptive clothing including 27 fashion colleges from across India. Reportedly, this is the first time that so many colleges are collectively coming together to make a difference in adaptive clothing, something that needs to be lauded and appreciated.

The research will be focussed on how to design stylish and comfortable clothes for amputees, wheelchair and crutch users, visually impaired people, those with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and developmental disorders like autism and ADHD. Usage of material, colours on clothes, comfort and construction of the outfit will be focussed on.

Extremely overwhelmed and proud to share that for the FIRST TIME IN THE WORLD 27 Fashion colleges have taken a collective effort to do a research on clothing for Persons with Disabilities, India-Varija Bajaj, Founder, Varija Life Trust.

Some of the prominent colleges participating in the research includes Whistling Woods International, JD Institute of Fashion Technology, Amity University, Nirmala Niketan Mumbai and International College of Fashion in New Delhi.

Rachana Balachandran, a fashion designer from Bengaluru says that it is high time that such initiatives are taken up in India. “Most fashion colleges do not even have lessons on how to work on adaptive clothing. It is important that we do detailed researches and studies so that we can create an inclusive fashion environment for coming generations. There is so much to explore and study in fashion, and I believe such researches would open doors of opportunities for aspiring designers as well. In the case of a person with disability, they can hopefully try out exciting designs in apparels”, says Rachana.

Interested fashion designer aspirants can write to fashionresearch@varijalife.com. Last date for submission of reports will be 15 January and final reports will be out by March. So enthusiastic fashion designers, here is your chance to showcase your talents towards creating an inclusive fashion world!

Also Read: Fashion designers wake up to growing demand for accessible style choices

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