Marks & Spencer launches clothing range for children with disabilities
Marks & Spencer has launched a new clothing range for children with sensory or physical disabilities.
The Adapted for Easy Dressing range was conceived, designed and developed in partnership with customers including parents from three specialist schools following a survey of 300 parents. More than two years in the making, the range also benefited from the retailer’s in-house team being supported by advice from consultant paediatrician Dr John Chang.
M&S said it has only used the softest materials for the range and that garments feature hidden care labels and the fewest seams possible.
Specific product innovations include trousers and shorts with the zips and buttons replaced by poppers, leggings with flat-lock seams, t-shirts with a soft velcro fastening at the back of the neck for easy over-the-head dressing, and t-shirts and dresses with discreet pockets for a feeding tube.
In addition, coats and gilets have velcro down the front to make them easier to put on by children in wheelchairs, while babygrows have dimensions to allow for a cast to make them suitable for babies with hip dysplasia.
The range was developed by Rebecca Garner, kidswear designer at M&S, together with buyer Emma Chang and technologist Charlotte Hunt.
Garner said: “Parents passionately told us that disabilities don’t define their children, so the adaptations shouldn’t define their clothes, it’s why all the products are inclusively designed and modelled closely on our main collection. So whilst big sister might wear a dress with sequins, the little one who wants to match but has sensory needs will have a softer glitter. Offering great value has been a key consideration and parents purchasing Easy Dressing products will never pay more.”
Products are available exclusively online up to ages 15 to 16.
