Empowering Disabled children through Adaptive fashion

At Zalando, inclusivity is embedded in everything we do. Our journey in Adaptive fashion started with months of intensive market research, customer interviews and team upskilling. After first introducing an Adaptive line for adults in 2022, we followed up with Adaptive sportswear and Adaptive footwear for both adults and kids. Now, we’re excited to present our latest addition: Adaptive fashion for Disabled children. This collection, consisting of 29 carefully designed pieces under our private label brands Friboo and Yourturn Kids, embodies the essence of the adaptive principle of “Style first”.

“Our mission with this collection is to ensure that all children, regardless of their physical challenges, have access to stylish, functional, and comfortable clothing. This is not just a fashion statement; it’s about empowerment and dignity, about representation and giving them a voice,” says Markus Breitsameter, Team Lead Textiles Design at Zalando.

Insights from the community

The inspiration behind our collection comes directly from the invaluable insights shared by parents and caregivers of Disabled children. These voices have been instrumental in shaping our designs, ensuring that every piece not only looks great but also meets the unique needs of Disabled kids.

One of the most common recurring themes in our conversations with parents and caregivers has been the need for clothing that marries functionality and style. Paola, who’s been working at Zalando for almost ten years, explains how she has faced this struggle when trying to find functional clothing for her Disabled son that is also fashionable and affordable.

“Just like any other kid, Paola’s son is growing up and regularly needs new clothes. It might perhaps seem trivial in comparison to other things they are dealing with, but it’s such a struggle within their community. It’s exactly these  insights that make conversations with people who actually experience this so important. This is the only way to  tackle and solve the issues that really matter,” says Markus.

Other parents have also shared stories of how traditional clothing often falls short in catering to the specific needs of their children – whether due to difficulty with zip fasteners, discomfort due to sensory sensitivities, or fitting challenges when accommodating prostheses or wheelchairs. 

Essential Adaptive features

Zalando private label brands are our in-house incubators of new ideas. –. While each brand caters to a specific consumer group, all share the ambition to be inclusive by design and to leverage more sustainable practices, from circular design to the use of innovative materials. Friboo and Yourturn Kids are no exception.

Zalando’s Adaptive kidswear assortment is built around five essential adaptive features that address the biggest needs highlighted by the community:

• Fit for prostheses: Our collection includes garments designed to accommodate prostheses and bandages, ensuring that every child can find clothing that fits their unique needs, for instance trousers with buttons on the side or shirts with hook-and-loop fasteners openings at the neck, back or sides. We believe that every child deserves to feel confident in their appearance, and the right fit plays a crucial role in that. 
• Easy closures: Getting dressed can be challenging for many Disabled children, so we’ve incorporated adaptive features like magnetic closures, hook-and-loop fasteners and easy-to-use zippers. These elements make getting dressed quicker and easier, giving kids more independence and reducing the stress on parents and caregivers.
• Easy to dress: Getting dressed should be a joyous experience, not a frustrating one. That’s why we’ve integrated features like full openings, pull-up loops, and full-back closures into our designs. These features make it easier for parents and caregivers to dress their children, and more importantly, they give kids the opportunity to be more involved in their own dressing process.
• Seated style: These clothes are designed for extended periods of sitting, ensuring a comfortable fit and easy dressing. Our collection includes trousers with various accessible side openings and an adaptive underwear range that features hook-and-loop fasteners at the front. 
• Sensory-friendly styles: Many Disabled children experience sensory sensitivities, making traditional clothing uncomfortable or even unbearable. Our sensory-friendly designs use soft, skin-friendly fabrics to minimise sensory stimulation, ensuring that kids feel comfortable all day long. These garments are free from tags, harsh seams, and other elements that could cause discomfort.

Style meets functionality

“True to the adaptive principle of ‘Style first’, our garments combine these essential functionalities with sleek, modern designs. We understand that every child wants to express themselves through what they wear, and that style should not be compromised for the sake of practicality. That’s why our adaptive features are integrated subtly, allowing kids to enjoy their clothes without feeling different or singled out. Our collection covers the basic needs of Disabled kids with a wide range of everyday essentials, including t-shirts, trousers, jumpers, undergarments, and bodies,” explains Markus Breitsameter, Team Lead Design Textiles at Zalando.

Looking ahead

This collection is another step on our journey of inclusivity. We will keep listening, learning, and evolving based on the feedback of parents, caregivers, and - through them - the children themselves. All customers who have bought an Adaptive item are able to share feedback on these items and their features with us. 

Markus Breitsameter: “An honest and heartfelt ‘Thank you’ to the community of parents and caregivers who have shared their stories and insights with us. Your voices have been our guide, and we hope this collection reflects the care, consideration, and love you’ve shown us. Together, we can make fashion more inclusive – one stylish and functional piece at a time.”

Check out the press release on Adaptive kidswear for more information.