Marks & Spencer has won plaudits from customers and the media after launching what it claims is a “high street first” with a range of clothing specifically designed for children with disabilities.
The Independent reported that the easy dressing range caters for children from newborn to age 16 and is affordable, with prices ranging from £3 for a baby’s bodysuit to £36 for a child’s winter jacket.
The Mirror reported that M&S used young children with a range of different disabilities, including Down’s Syndrome, cerebral palsy, and hip dysplasia, to show just how many people may be able to benefit from the new launch.
The clothes are made with special needs in mind, and includes garments with extra space for casts as well as ones with discreet pockets for feeding tubes.
They use the softest materials with as few seams as possible and hidden care labels so that they won’t irritate sensitive skin.
Rebecca Garner, kidswear designer at Marks & Spencer, told the media: “We’ve absolutely loved working on this project and are proud that every product started from listening to mums and dads.
“Parents passionately told us that disabilities don’t define their children, so the adaptations shouldn’t define their clothes, it’s why all the products are inclusively designed and modelled closely on our main collection.
“So whilst big sister might wear a dress with sequins, the little one who wants to match but has sensory needs will have a softer glitter. Offering great value has been a key consideration and parents purchasing Easy Dressing products will never pay more.”
Dr John Chang, consultant paediatrician at Croydon Health Services NHS Trust who advised on the range added: “It was a brilliant experience to consult on the range and help explain the physical requirements for the products, I know for some parents this will be lifechanging and I look forward to seeing how it develops.”
Sky News reporter Hannah Stott, who has a disabled 10-year-old son, told of her delight that she can now buy him clothes which are cute and inexpensive.
She also sounded an important warning to stories and manufacturers: “Retailers, take note. The world, take note. There are loads of us and we need you. We need good quality, nice stuff, easily and cheap!”
