The fashion industry has long been in need of diversity, specifically size inclusivity, racial diversity, and definitely disability representation. Although brands have been getting better with diversity on the runways, there’s still so much more than can be done, specifically in the retail market. ASOS is already known for being one of the most inclusive online stores, offering curvy, tall and petite sizing as well as showing real-looking women in their campaigns, and now they’ve taken another great step forward. They’ve created a splatter-paint printed jumpsuit that’s wheelchair-friendly ✨.
Just months ago, paralympic athlete Chloe Ball-Hopkins sent an email to ASOS suggesting that they create a wheelchair-friendly jumpsuit after she was soaked at a music festival one day. ASOS then stepped up to the plate and started collaborating with Ball-Hopkins on the design of the jumpsuit.
So over the last several months I have been working with @ASOS to create a fashionable, yet practical waterproof all in one! Not just for people like me in a chair but for anyone. It’s about making fashion accessible! So what should be next?! https://t.co/1gzzkRlED9 pic.twitter.com/7yS57QEmpD
— Chloe Ball-Hopkins (@chloe_ballhopzy) July 4, 2018
The $64 jumpsuit is practical, fashionable and fun, and it isn’t just for wheelchair-users. Features of the waterproof jumpsuit include a zipper at the waist (so you can wear it separately) cuffed ankles, and it’s longer at the back so it doesn’t ride up when sitting. In a tweet describing the jumpsuit, Ball-Hopkins said that “the key is it’s fashion that accessible, not disabled.”
ASOS went one step further and designed a jumpsuit for people in a wheelchair. More of this please ??♿ https://t.co/BMWtx7isEK
— Charlotte (@thebeddays) July 4, 2018
“It was just literally those little tiny details that make the difference to people like me. We don’t want to have to look like we’re just doing practicality, we still want to be able to look fashionable,” Ball-Hopkins told BBC.
If other retailers begin to follow in the footsteps of ASOS and become more inclusive to not only all sizes, but to all body types and all people, then the fashion industry will be on the right track.