From Rejection to Revolution: How One Designer is Flipping the Fashion Industry on its Head!

Get ready for the fashion world’s most laugh-out-loud twist! When Victoria Jenkins strutted onto Dragon's Den with her adaptive fashion brand Unhidden, the dragons turned her down. But hold onto your hats, because she just rocked the fashion cosmos! Tuesday was her dazzling comeback, as Primark launched her jaw-dropping 49-piece adaptive collection across the UK.

Did you know that a jaw-dropping 1 in 4 people in the UK has a disability? Jenkins sure did, and she didn't hold back on Dragon’s Den, declaring: "The disabled community is the world’s largest marginalized group and one that anyone can join at any time." Yet, surprisingly, adaptive fashion has been almost non-existent!

A groundbreaking survey by Primark and the Research Institute for Disabled Consumers blew the lid off: a staggering 77% said adaptive fashion is a must-have, but only a measly 25% are wearing it. It's like the fashion industry has been wearing blinders.

But guess what? The tides are turning! Spotlight-stealing brands like Unhidden, Dewey Clothing, and Liberare are catching eyes everywhere. And guess what big names are hopping on the trend? Only Skims, Victoria’s Secret, and, you guessed it, Primark! They're all rolling out adaptive collections featuring genius accessibility designs like front and side fastenings. Even the designer stage is no longer out of reach, thanks to Tommy Hilfiger’s ‘Adaptive Essentials’ with its dreamy soft fabrics and user-friendly closures.

Primark just upped the ante with their new 49-piece line hitting 10 different countries! That's right, fashion on the high street is getting its long-overdue adaptive makeover!

In a fit of exasperation, a voice from Models of Diversity, a charity shaking up the norms for disabled representation in fashion, asked: "Why isn't every high street brand jumping on this bandwagon of inclusivity?" It’s a no-brainer, right? But, shhh, the secret's out now!

Of course, there are hurdles to leap over. Sadly, a chuckle-worthy 36% of people polled by RiDC joked about the sky-high prices of current adaptive clothing. But Victoria Jenkins knows the struggle and has faced it head-on, delivering pieces loaded with accessibility features like friction-free pyjamas, clever magnetic closures, and secret openings for tube and catheter access. Isn’t that just fabulous?

Let's face it, everyone wants fashion that makes them feel like a star. Yet, a staggering 62% of disabled shoppers struggle to find clothes that spark joy and comfort. Remember when Primark’s adaptive collection was rolled out? It wasn't just a hit - it was a "life-changing" revolution!

Adaptive fashion isn't just for those with disabilities; it's a game-changer for everyone - the elderly, the temporarily disabled, injury recoverees, and post-surgery champs. This isn't just a fashion line; it's a fashion revolution! As more adaptive models grace the runway and choices multiply, it's clear: the adaptive fashion takeover has only just begun!