Inside Inclusive Fashion by Rut Turró

💌 From Rut’s Studio

Inclusive fashion isn’t just a niche — it’s the next era of design.

But here’s the truth: inclusion isn’t a checklist. It’s a mindset. And it starts with the quiet questions we ask long before the sketch.

In this issue, I’m sharing patterns I’m seeing, gaps that still frustrate me, and a few sparks of hope.

And if something resonates — or challenges you — I’d love to hear it.

💡 Notice this

The adaptive fashion conversation is growing louder.

Fred Perry recently launched this adaptive shirt with magnetic fastenings. It’s marketed as easier to dress for people with low dexterity or accessibility needs- a promising step. 

But here’s a key question:

Who is this really for?

The campaign shows a model using one hand to fasten the shirt, but...

👉🏽 What about the other hand?

If someone lives with limited mobility or a permanently injured limb, is this shirt truly easier to manage—or only “adaptive” if you have one fully functional hand?

✅ Try this instead

Show us the real use case. Let’s see how someone with a mobility-limited hand can actually button and unbutton this shirt. That’s the real test of inclusive design—not how it looks, but how it works across a range of bodies and needs.

Even better:

🎯 Design solutions, not separate products.
Rather than relying on magnets (which not everyone can or wants to use), let’s rethink closure systems entirely. What if fasteners were:

• Universally designed

• Comfortable and easy to manage

• Made for all bodies, with or without disabilities

This means one product line—not two.
It’s more inclusive, reduces cost and production complexity, and raises the standard of design.

🛠️ Quick inclusive wins

Small changes, big difference.
Try these low-effort actions that bring your design closer to everyone:

Reframe your fit model

When reviewing prototypes, ask:
Would this work for someone seated, with a prosthetic, or with limited arm mobility? 

Not every test needs a whole new sample—sometimes, it just needs a new lens.

🧠 Curious about…

What if “adaptive” wasn’t a separate category?

What would fashion look like if we stopped designing for and started designing with people of all abilities from day one?

Universal design doesn’t mean boring—it means considered, equitable, and smart from the start. It’s not a trend, it’s a mindset.

🪞Take a moment to reflect

Where in your process are you unintentionally designing exclusion in?
And… where could a small shift create more access for more people?

✨ Let’s reflect together

Hit reply and share one thing you’re rethinking—we’ll feature a few ideas in the next issue to keep the conversation going.
Or simply keep this question in your pocket as you create. Every reflection counts.

🗓️ Agenda

🧵 The Inclusive Fashion Show Birmingham

📍 Birmingham, UK | 21 June 2025
A showcase of diverse models and adaptive designs.
🔗 Eventbrite

💻 Design + Accessibility Summit 2025

📍 Online | 16–19 September 2025
Learn practical skills for accessible design with Adobe tools.
🔗 CreativePro link

👗 Runway of Dreams: Adaptive Fashion Show

📍 Austin, TX | Date TBA
Celebrating adaptive fashion on the catwalk with models of all abilities.
Tag: Fashion – Adaptive – Awareness
🔗 UT Austin calendar

🧵 Innovation corner

🎶 “Interwoven” in Omaha: Fashion & Technology for the Deaf Community

On 22nd May, Omaha Performing Arts presented Interwoven: Where Fashion & Technology Connect — an event merging adaptive fashion and tech to create tactile sound experiences for Deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences. Featured garments included the innovative SoundShirt.
Read here

🧵 ExoFabric: Reconfigurable Textile for Customised Applications

Researchers have developed ExoFabric, a reconfigurable textile system using thermoplastic threads and computerised embroidery. This approach enables the creation of customisable, soft products—ideal for adaptive garments and assistive wearables.
Read here