Polartec film calls for inclusive apparel design
08/03/2017
“Designing for today’s society means creating a broader and more diverse average,” explained Polartec as it presented a short film made alongside Open Style Lab and Paradox Sports.
Open Style Lab is responsible for a variety of initiatives designed to increase awareness about the need for accessible clothing. These include a 10-week summer programme at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a class at the Parson School of Design, and various research projects. It pairs engineers and designers with people with disabilities to design “functional and stylish clothing solutions”.
For its part, Paradox Sports, which was founded in 2007, offers adaptive climbing opportunities for people of all abilities. It also authored a book on adaptive climbing and organises climbing outings that help engage people with disabilities.
The film follows Carlos Quiles a climbing enthusiast who uses a wheelchair, as he joins Open Style Lab participants on a climbing expedition organised by Paradox Sports. It highlights the work done by both organisations, as well as the role Polartec’s fabrics have played in the design of inclusive apparel.
“Open Style Lab saw the powerful potential of performance fabrics and inclusive design training to address mobility challenges faced by people with disabilities, athletes, and for the injured,” said Grace Jun, Open Style Lab executive director. She added that partnerships such as the one with Polartec will help the organisation to bring “innovative clothing solutions to the growingly diverse population”.
“We hope to partner with apparel brands to take to the market universal design principles and expand access to better functioning garments,” Polartec revealed. It called for clothing “without limits” to be made available to everyone.
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