Singaporean Designer Makes Inclusive Fashion A Reality | Dear Singapore

Key Concepts

• Adaptive Fashion
• Inclusive Design
• Accessibility
• Effortless Dressing
• Discretion
• Comfort
• Fine Motor Skills
• Hacks (garment modifications)
• Market Validation
• Business Growth
• Design Process
• User Feedback
• Problem-Solving in Design

Adaptive Fashion Studio: Wearable

Claudia, a 29-year-old fashion designer and founder of Wearable, discusses her work in adaptive fashion. Wearable is an adaptive fashion studio that prioritizes inclusive design and accessibility. Claudia's core mission is to create clothing that is both easy to wear and highly fashionable, enabling individuals to pursue their aspirations.

The Genesis of Adaptive Fashion Design

Claudia was initially surprised by the common reaction to her adaptive fashion designs: "Oh, this doesn't look like it was designed for a person with a disability." This prompted her to question the preconceived notions of what disability-specific clothing should look like.

The inspiration for Wearable's adaptive approach stemmed from a personal connection. In her third year of college, Claudia's professor introduced her to a friend diagnosed with ALS, whose arms were paralyzed. Initially feeling limited as a fashion designer, Claudia realized she could contribute by modifying garments.

Practical Garment Modifications and User-Centric Design

The process began with Claudia and her friend Amy adjusting a garment by adding straps. This allowed the individual to use doorknobs to lift their clothes on and off. This initial "hack" evolved into a collection of clothing featuring various modifications to facilitate dressing and undressing.

A key insight gained was the importance of addressing the lack of fine motor skills required for traditional dressing. The ability to utilize other body parts, such as legs, for dressing is a significant value for individuals with disabilities, particularly those affecting arm function. Claudia emphasizes that altering clothing to improve functionality does not necessarily require excessive time or money, and it allows individuals to be seen as they perceive themselves.

The design principles for Wearable's clothing focus on:

• Effortless Dressing: Simplifying the process of putting on and taking off clothes.
• Discretion: Ensuring modifications are subtle and do not draw undue attention.
• Comfort: Prioritizing the user's physical comfort.

An example of this user-centric approach is seen with a client named Awa. Instead of creating entirely new garments, Claudia's team modified an existing school skirt. This involved cutting and adjusting the skirt to better accommodate Awa's head movement, which sometimes goes in a specific direction. The use of Velcro closures was also implemented for easier pulling up, though a concern was raised about the Velcro potentially coming undone with movement. Further modifications involved adding a full strip to the garment to reduce the need for precise aiming and ensure it catches onto hooks.

The "Wish Bag" Case Study: Iterative Design and Real-World Application

Claudia highlights that while designing clothes is not new, the unique aspect of Wearable's approach is the extensive information gathered from visiting people's homes and directly addressing their requests.

The development of the "Wish Bag" exemplifies this. It originated from a casual message from a friend, Wayong, who uses crutches and found it frustrating to manage his belongings with one hand. Claudia initially underestimated the complexity, believing she could design it in a weekend. However, after two to three years and eight iterations, they are still refining the design.

The Wish Bag is designed to be worn close to the body, a crucial feature for individuals using crutches to prevent falls and maintain balance. The bag allows for easy access to items, such as keys, even when dismounted from a bike. The design process involved studying Wayong's gait and understanding the challenges he faced while walking with crutches.

Business Growth, Market Validation, and Personal Sacrifice

Claudia reflects on the challenges of entrepreneurship, particularly the need for market validation beyond self-motivation. She recounts attending Milan Design Week at a point of self-doubt and fear, which was hindering her progress. Exposure on a global stage and witnessing others' struggles in business helped her develop resilience.

She discusses the conscious sacrifice of her "organic joy" of sketching and conceptualizing beautiful designs. As a founder, she recognizes the need to prioritize business needs and support her colleagues, even if it means dedicating less time to pure design. This involves making difficult decisions, such as reducing the emphasis on certain design elements to streamline production or improve functionality, as seen in discussions about line thickness for a carabiner design.

Evolving Mindset and Adaptability in Business

A significant "eureka" moment for Claudia was shifting her mindset when entering business conversations. Previously, she would enter with a fixed mission, unprepared for the unpredictable nature of meetings, the needs of others, and their financial constraints. She learned the importance of being open to different outcomes and not being rigidly attached to her initial ask.

Claudia emphasizes that being wrong is not a negative outcome. She expresses gratitude for being wrong frequently over the past four years, as it has led to unexpected and greater successes than she initially envisioned. She believes that life in general is challenging, and success lies in making decisions that one can find peace with.

The video concludes with a reflective question posed to Singapore: "Dear Singapore, there's one thing that you really want to do, but you're not quite sure if you do it. Will you regret it if you don't do it?" This serves as a call to action for embracing opportunities and overcoming hesitation.