The Metro newspaper and website highlighted Victoria Jenkins, the woman behind the Unhidden brand, for her work presenting on-trend yet wearable designs for people with disabilities.
Featured designs included tailored trousers for wheelchair users, which have vertical pockets to avoid contents falling out, and an elasticated waistband so it doesn’t cut into seated wearers.
Metro’s writers were also impressed by a dress that gives easy access to stomas or feeding tubes, and tops with arm openings to give access for those undergoing chemo or radiotherapy.
Other items were soft jerseys for those with sensory needs, with alternations possible by using velcro instead of fiddly button and with the emphasis on ease and accessibility while looking stylish.
Metro reported that Victoria is disabled herself, and has gastro-intestinal problems that have required multiple surgeries. Her symptoms made high street clothes uncomfortable to wear, and she decided to do something about it during a hospital stay in 2016.
Victoria met a patient who was being treated for cancer, and had a stoma, lines in her arms, and a chest port after her treatment. Every time the doctors had to examine the patient, Victoria noticed how they had to remove all her clothing, usually in front of a team of doctors.
Victoria told Metro.co.uk: “Disability is such a wide spectrum so it was important to demonstrate the intersectionality of it. Far too often the non-disabled population only understand disability in terms of visible difference so it was great to have eight models with non-visible disabilities.”
Victoria added that she couldn’t believe the response generated by the show. She said: “It has completely blown me away the response. It’s hugely gratifying people are so on board! I hope now that retailers and designers see not just the social impact side but the very real financial benefits of inclusive design – disability IS mainstream and it’s past time that it is normalised in society.”
