💌 From Rut’s Studio

This month, I’m reflecting on visibility as dignity.

How can we ensure truly diverse bodies, minds, and accessibility needs are not just visible—but centre‑stage—in every collection?

Representation is essential, but it must be backed by real design change.

I’d love your thoughts: where have you seen visibility catalyse tangible design innovation?

💡 Notice this

Victoria & Albert Museum – Design and Disability

Opened 7 June 2025, the V&A’s exhibition showcases 170 objects bridging disability and design—from adaptive fashion pieces by Unhidden to innovative accessories made by disabled creators.

Highlights include Maya Scarlette’s Carnival costume and accessible design labs.

This exhibition powerfully demonstrates how visibility, when embedded in design, fosters community and cultural transformation.

If you’re visiting London, don’t miss it—this is a rare and vital celebration of inclusive creativity that challenges the design world to do better.

🧠 Curious about…

The European Accessibility Act – Is Your Brand Ready?

On 28 June 2025, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) came into force. It’s a major shift in how we design goods and services across the EU, with the aim of making them more accessible—especially for disabled people.

This new law applies to:

🖥️ Websites, apps, and e-commerce platforms

📱 Consumer tech like smartphones and smart TVs

🏧 Self-service terminals such as ATMs and kiosks

🚆 Public transport, banking, and communication services

Who needs to comply?

All public and private businesses operating in the EU—or offering products and services to EU citizens—must meet these standards. This includes global fashion and retail brands selling online.

What can you do next?

= Review your digital platforms for accessibility (WCAG 2.1 AA)

= Ensure compatibility with assistive technologies

= Make packaging, labels, and help materials usable for all

= Prepare your Accessibility Statement and train your teams

🗓️ Agenda: Upcoming Events in Inclusive Fashion

🧵V&A ’Design & Disability’ Tour – London, runs until 15 February 2026. Explore inclusive design in situ; critique how museums can lead by example
Read more

🌟 Birmingham Disability Festival – Birmingham, UK
Date: Throughout July 2025
An inclusive culture festival blending adaptive fashion pop-ups, drag performances, and accessible design showcases — celebrating disability as identity and art.
Read more

🎉 Zurich Disability Pride – Zurich, Switzerland
Date: July 2025 (TBC)
Zurich hosted its first Disability Pride Parade in 2016, sparking ongoing local initiatives celebrating disabled culture through parades, talks, and creative expression.
Read more

🎭 Berlin Disability Visibility Events – Berlin, Germany
Date: July 2025 (ongoing local events)
While not officially under the "Disability Pride" title, Berlin hosts various disability-led marches, exhibitions, and fashion showcases focused on accessibility and intersectional justice.
Read more

🧵 Innovation corner

Smart & Responsive Textiles: E‑Textiles That Sense & Adapt

Recent research has brought smart fabrics into adaptive apparel by embedding e‑textiles that adjust temperature, stretch, or tactile responsiveness in real time—benefits such as moisture regulation, pressure reduction and comfort for disabled bodies.
These innovations help garments respond to wearer needs, offering both function and dignity.

juneadaptive.com

AI‑Enhanced Virtual Fitting: On‑Device Try‑Ons for Inclusive Fashion

New systems like “Mobile Fitting Room” use on-device AI to simulate clothing fit across diverse body types—including seated measurements and assistive device allowances—without requiring cloud services.
It's a privacy-smart way to offer accessible, tailored fitting in fashion e‑commerce.

arxiv.org