Breaking Barriers: How One Surrey Entrepreneur is Revolutionizing Inclusive and Adaptive Fashion

Once a nurse and now an entrepreneur, Rachel Thompson's story is not just captivating, but inspirational. Her journey to establishing adaptive clothing brands, Adapted Trends, will inspire anyone who dreams of making a difference. Born in Surrey, Rachel has always been an advocate of “individuality and uniqueness.”

Her journey into the world of adaptive fashion was not planned. It began in 2023, when she was invited to a fashion challenge. The challenge was to create an upcycled denim jacket for a young, non-verbal wheelchair user named Jane. With the help of Jane's parents and a pod book, Rachel was able to understand Jane's fashion preferences.

What she discovered during this process was a gaping void in the world of fashion— the lack of adaptive, fashionable clothing suitable for the disabled.

The defining moment was the realization that limited mobility shouldn't result in limited fashion choices. From that moment, there was no turning back for this Surrey entrepreneur. Rachel, with the help of her daughter, set out on a mission to revolutionize adaptive fashion.

The Need for Inclusive and Adaptive Fashion

In a world where fashion trends change in the blink of an eye, those with special needs and disabilities are usually left behind. They often find themselves with limited options, mostly restricted to jogging bottoms and other practical but unfashionable options.

This lack of inclusivity in the fashion industry highlights the urgent need for adaptive clothing. Rachel was moved by this disparity and decided to take action.

After noticing the lack of fashionable and adaptive clothing for Jane and others with similar needs, Rachel was determined to change the status quo. She was deeply disturbed by how such an essential aspect of personal expression was missing for a significant part of the population. When everyone else was talking about the latest fashion trends, these individuals were left wearing practical but dull clothes.

Rachel decided to use her skills and passion for fashion to address this issue. Her intention was clear: to create a brand that offers functional, fashionable, and age-appropriate clothing for those with special needs and disabilities. According to Rachel, limited mobility shouldn't curb one's ability to express themselves through what they wear.

“Adaptive fashion is not just about making clothes accessible; it's about creating a sense of belonging. It's about giving everyone the opportunity to express their individuality and personality through their attire.”

Rachel's venture, Adapted Trends, does exactly that.

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