Primark have released a new collection designed with disabilities in mind, as the retailer builds upon their ‘adaptive’ underwear collection.
The collection was designed in collaboration with Victoria Jenkins, a disabled fashion designer and founder of the brand Unhidden.
“It’s an incredibly proud moment to see this collection go live and see adaptive fashion come to the high street on this scale for the first time,” Jenkins said. “We’ve created pieces that are not only functional but fashionable and affordable, because everyone deserves to feel confident and stylish in what they wear. I hope this inspires the industry to continue moving toward greater accessibility and inclusivity for all.”
Speaking about the collection, Primark said they wanted to make dressing “simpler” for the disabled community: “From magnetic zippers and snap fastenings to waist loops that help to pull up trousers and hidden openings for tube, stoma or catheter access. There is also a range of options for people who are seated, such as wheelchair users.”
In designing the collection, the retailer said they had “a series of focus groups and hands-on fit sessions with members of the disabled community.”
Research commissioned by Primark in partnership with the Research Institute for Disabled Consumers (RiDC), showed that despite 24% of people in the UK living with disability, three quarters find it difficult to find accessible clothing. Seventy per cent of those surveyed said they spent more on clothes that meets their needs, whilst 80% said they felt excluded from buying fashionable clothes.
In not being able to find clothing that suited them, 75% said this had led them to being in a situation where they have felt uncomfortable, such as in social settings, or attending weddings. Two in five (42%) said they often cancelled plans due to struggling to find the right clothing.
Stand-out pieces in the collection include a woman’s trench coat (£40) that is also available in a seated style(£30) which is cropped to make it more accessible for wheelchair users. The coat features magnetic-fastening pockets, zip sleeves, an attached belt and an adjustable popper hem, without compromising on style.
A woman’s sage green V-neck jumper (£24) is also a popular piece in the collection, featuring a double-ended zip sleeve and thumb holes, which offers flexibility typically not available in knitwear. The seated version has a shorter hem at the front.
In the men’s section, there is a pinstripe oxford shirt (£16) which features a side seam opening, popper sleeve fastenings and tube access on the front pocket, there is again a seated version with shorter hems and sleeves also available.
There are also men’s straight jeans (£14) with magnetic button closures, waistband pulls, and tube-access pockets. The seated version features a longer back hem, ankle-cut leg and side zip.
Shoppers have been quick to praise the collection on social media.
“This is fantastic!” One user wrote.
Another added, “This has been needed for so so long, thank you so very much!! I have a feeding tube and physically disabled as well, I find clothing such an issue at times”.
Overall, there are 49 pieces included in the collection, which will be available to purchase on January 28. The range will be available in 31 stores nationwide and through the 113 UK stores offering Click & Collect.