Value fashion/lifestyle retail giant Primark has unveiled a new affordable adaptive clothing range for men and women, created by specialist designer Victoria Jenkins.
The 49-piece collection includes wardrobe staples “based on Primark’s bestsellers” — from trench coats and tees, to jumpers and jeans, “all with features designed around the needs of disabled people or those experiencing temporary disability”.
It launches 28 January in 31 stores nationwide and through 113 UK stores offering Click & Collect.
The range, which has been developed with disability campaigner Jenkins, a designer who champions adaptive fashion, includes features designed to make dressing simpler.
These include magnetic zippers and snap fastenings to waist loops that help to pull up trousers and hidden openings for tube, stoma or catheter access. There is also a range of options for people who are seated, such as wheelchair users.
Created to reflect a diverse range of needs, Primark said the collection was “shaped through a series of focus groups and hands-on fit sessions with members of the disabled community”.
Citing new research commissioned by Primark data, it said although 24% of people in the UK live with disability, 75% find it difficult to get accessible clothing. Some 70% of those surveyed say they must spend more on clothing that meets their needs while 80% say they feel excluded from buying fashionable clothes.
The collection of wardrobe staples for women and men, as well as nightwear and underwear, includes a women’s trench coat, (£40); also available in a seated style (£30); women’s poplin shirt, (£18); women’s V-neck knitted jumper, (£24); men’s Oxford shirt (£16); men’s straight leg jeans, (£14); men’s padded gilet (£12); women’s ribbed nightwear top (£12) and wide leg trousers (£14); and women’s leisure zip-through top (£20) and straight-leg bottoms (£16).
Commenting on the launch, Ann-Marie Cregan, Trading director for Primark, said: “[We have] always stood for making affordable fashion accessible for everybody and every body. There are millions of people in the UK today whose needs aren’t being met on the high street.
“This collection is an important step in ensuring that more people can find clothes that help them to look and feel their best without the high price tag that often comes with more specialist items or having to invest in expensive alterations.”
Jenkins added: “Disabled people face lots of barriers in their lives and clothing shouldn’t be one of them. We don’t want to live in a uniform of jogging bottoms and T-shirts but often don’t have a choice.”
She added: “I hope this launch is a step in changing that narrative, bringing more choice to the high street. We’ve created pieces that are not only functional but fashionable and affordable, because everyone deserves to feel confident and stylish in what they wear. I hope this inspires the industry to continue moving toward greater accessibility and inclusivity for all.”
