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Inclusivity in Fashion is a Lie!

by Shelly Prabhakar


Art work by Shelly Prabhakar
Art work by Shelly Prabhakar

Despite the global fashion industry being worth over $1.79 trillion (Vanderschelden 2025), fewer than 1% of clothing collections include adaptive designs for people with varying abilities — even though 1 in 6 people worldwide experience significant disabilities (World Health Organization 2023; CMI 2024). In this article, I want to show how the fashion industry ignores persons with different abilities, overpricing designs, lacking creativity, and failing to be truly inclusive, which reveals discrimination and exclusion.


This issue is important because it challenges our understanding of inclusivity in fashion, highlighting how the industry’s neglect of certain groups of people affects not only their access to clothing but also their visibility and representation in society. I argue that the fashion industry's failure to prioritize adaptive clothing, include various voices and representations, and offer affordable, creative options exposes a systemic issue that limits true inclusivity.



Despite the fashion industry's recent focus on adaptive clothing, critics argue that these efforts lack depth, reflecting a design culture that prioritizes mass production over the diverse needs of consumers with varying abilities (Schenkman 2024). Bruce Darling, president of the Center for Disability Rights, points out that the industry's goal is often "to create mass-produced products," and that "disabled people aren't a significant enough market for folks to pay attention to" (Schenkman 2024). It’s crucial to challenge this approach because it reveals the fashion industry’s failure to see these consumers' needs. This mindset reinforces ableist norms and excludes accessibility.


This exclusion is not only a matter of design but also one of affordability, as adaptive clothing remains out of reach for many individuals due to its high costs. People with different abilities are often more likely to experience poverty, which in turn contributes to poorer health and limited access to necessary healthcare services (WHO, 2023). Adaptive clothing is made to be easier to wear, using things like magnetic buttons or Velcro (Jackson 2021). But right now, this kind of clothing is often too expensive and hard to find for the people who need it most (Jackson,2021).


Affordability and accessibility remain major challenges, with over a third (36%) stating that adaptive clothing is too costly (RiDC 2024). The adaptive clothing industry is still emerging, with companies dedicating significant resources to research and development to create innovative solutions, such as new fastenings and fabric technologies, which contribute to the higher cost of the products (Swan 2017). While some brands are beginning to offer more affordable options, these remain rare. True inclusion means making clothing both accessible and affordable, not treating it as a luxury. Beyond cost, many individuals also struggle to find fashionable and innovative clothing, which further contributes to a sense of exclusion in social settings.


Adaptive clothing should not only serve a functional purpose but also address the emotional and aesthetic needs of consumers. In a survey that included 800 RiDC panel members findings show that 80% expressed that they feel left out when it comes to purchasing stylish clothing (RiDC 2025). 75% of respondents who struggle to find clothing that suits their needs stated that this has caused them to feel uncomfortable in situations like social events, vacations, or weddings (RiDC 2025). When creating clothing for individuals with special needs, it's crucial to consider both functionality and aspects like fashion, style, and self-expression (ScienceDaily 2023). Clothing should be designed to allow people to express themselves and show their personality through clothes that meet their unique needs and preferences. Disability should be seen as a normal part of life, not as something negative.


In conclusion, the fashion industry's idea of inclusivity falls short. True progress requires adaptive clothing that is affordable, innovative, stylish, and designed with care. The fashion industry needs more innovation and cheaper options that truly meet the needs of all people. When the industry ignores differently abled consumers and focuses only on marketability instead of self-expression, it reinforces harmful attitudes and exclusions. It’s time for the fashion world to focus more on people, making sure designs empower everyone and prioritize empathy and social well-being.


References:

Vanderschelden, D. (2025). Zwischen Luxus und Fast Fashion: Einblicke in die Branchengrößen von 2024, https://fashionunited.de/nachrichten/business/zwischen-luxus-und-fast-fashion-einblicke-in-die-branchengrossen-von-2024/2025010159595 




Schenkman, L. (2024, June 3). Adaptive fashion’s inclusivity problem. Fashion Dive. https://www.fashiondive.com/news/adaptive-fashion-inclusivity-problem/717681/


Jackson, L. (2021). “’This is a human rights issue’: The Hidden Truth About Clothing Poverty​'”, (Just Fair Guest Blog, March 2021), https://justfair.org.uk/home/blog/guest-blog/this-is-a-human-rights-issue-the-hidden-truth-about-clothing-poverty/ 


RiDC (2024). Primark: Bringing accessible clothing to the high street. https://ridc.org.uk/news/primark-releases-new-adaptive-clothing-range-research-ridc 


RiDC (2025). RiDC panel members help inform new adaptive fashion range at Primark. https://ridc.org.uk/news/ridc-panel-members-help-inform-new-adaptive-fashion-range-primark 


Swan, K. (2017). Why Is Adaptive Clothing So Pricey?. https://www.purplethreadsadaptive.com/articles/why-is-adaptive-clothing-so-pricey


ScieneDaily (2023). New study shapes understanding of adaptive clothing customer needs. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/03/230321132148.htm


Bio: Shelly Prabhakar, originally from India, completed her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Fashion Design at KMV College in Punjab. Her work includes securing an IPR for adaptive clothing aimed at improving accessibility for differently-abled individuals. She has also served as an Assistant Professor at KMV College in Jalandhar, teaching both undergraduate and postgraduate students in the field of fashion design.

 
 
 

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