Motoring & LeisureShopping and FashionStunning new fashion range for wheelchair users Stunning new fashion range for wheelchair users
By Kate Morley - 17/10/2007
A stunning new range of clothing has been launched specifically to cater for the needs of wheelchair users.
A far cry from the elasticated trousers and fleeces so often offered as clothing for the mobility impaired, the collection is full of rich colours, and ranges from sharp tailored work suits, to fluid, feminine dresses in soft shades and sensuous fabrics.
The clothing was launched to much acclaim, with a fashion show and evening gala event at London’s trendy venue, the Play Room. The clothing is all designed specifically with female wheelchair users in mind, and a proportion of ticket sales were donated to national disability charity, Motability. The range has received coverage on ITV’s ‘This Morning’, GMTV’s "LK Today", BBC1 and BBC News24. All the models in the show were wheelchair users themselves.
Louisa Summerfield, MD of WheelieChix-Chic, herself a wheelchair user, created the range as a response to the lack of suitable clothing available. “I was fed up with making do with ill fitting designs and uncomfortable fabrics from the high street, so I decided to put together my own collection of clothes suitable for women in wheelchairs.
"I chose award winning designer Amelia Ursache, as her work demonstrates exactly what I want to achieve with the range. The clothes are for independent, sexy, fashion conscious women, designed to flatter and accentuate, whilst being comfortable and allowing freedom of movement.”
She admits however, that there were challenges to creating the range: “I am the only one doing high end designer wear - I believe things will change, but the problem with disability is it is so diverse and you can’t cater for every disability under one umbrella - which is why I specialise in fashion for women sitting down. I do think manufacturers and big stores could make some adjustments that are universal for example easier fastenings, wider openings and clothes where you can adjust the length or sleeve.
“Our range specialises in women in wheelchairs. But having said that, because our clothes have many hidden features, women with restricted mobility or hand dexterity will benefit from wearing the range, also able bodied people as the range is designer and contemporary. I think a lot of disabled women lose confidence and my challenge is to make them look & feel special. I’ve always said being in a chair means people look and stare so give them something to look at & feel proud they are looking at you.”
The events were a huge success, with X-Factor star Kerry McGreggor, ‘Dead Ringers’ Jan Ravens, and actress Julie Fernandez lending their support.
Aine Canavan, Motability Fundraising Events Co-ordinator, says: “The clothes are stylish and elegant. It’s great to see this new range of clothing making fashion accessible for everyone.” The collection can be viewed on the WheelieChix-Chic website, by following the link below.
Let’s hope this is one trend that is taken up wholeheartedly by the fashion world!