Trending at the 3rd Annual Inclusive Fashion Show held April 11th at The Jemicy School in Owings Mills, MD were soft fabrics with a “loungewear-esq” vibe, according to Tina Chan Sweenie, Associate Director of Development at Penn-Mar Human Services and one of the program’s organizers.

The unique event paired 12 design students from Jemicy, which specializes in education for students with dyslexia and other language-based differences, with 18 people that Penn-Mar supports with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The show was an incredible display of style and innovation, embracing inclusion and adaptive fashion.

The student designers were tasked with creating adaptable and accessible clothing concepts that would meet the specific physical needs and style preferences of their eager models.

Students took measurements and conducted personal interviews with their Penn-Mar models back in January to explore any difficulties they might be having with traditional clothing. They were challenged to work around leg braces, consider wheelchair restrictions, rethink fastening devices, all the while combining comfort with personal style.

“Brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Target, and JCPenney offer limited lines of adaptive clothing, but there is still a lot of room to grow,” said Tina. The Jemicy students had four months to strategically and thoughtfully incorporate adaptable elements before sending their models down the runway in their functional, stylish, and custom-designed looks.

This year most folks expressed a preference for a soft fabric feel, inside and out, which helped to address a lot of the sensory challenges people with disabilities sometimes experience. Stretchy materials made it easier to slip outfits overhead, and fasteners such as magnets, large plastic zippers, and Velcro empowered people to dress with less assistance.

Examples of innovative styling from the Fashion Show collaboration abound.

At the first Fashion Show event in 2023, a student used creative problem-solving to design a wrinkle-free suit for a model who utilized a wheelchair by selecting a thick, spongy Neoprene fabric that provided extra padding and a more comfortable fit.

Mary Dotson modeled in last year’s Fashion Show, fulfilling a life-long dream to be part of such a magical event. She used an oxygen reservoir bag that was connected to her nostrils, so her clever design student created an outfit with a matching bag that doubled as a purse for the oxygen bag. Sadly, Mary passed away since then and the organizers fittingly dedicated this year’s Fashion Show in her memory.

Tina’s daughter Leila, a senior at The Jemicy School, enlisted her mother’s help backstage, fastening a belt with a bow to her model’s dress. Tina was impressed by how effortlessly the Velcro held everything in place, keeping the belt secure and the bow perfectly positioned. Another simple, but effective example of adaptive styling.

In an interview with WBAL TV-11News, Pauline Savage, The Jemicy School’s Visual Arts Department Chair, described the deeper motivation of her design students for this project. “When they make clothes for people who need and wear them, all of the sudden there’s a level of meaning and purpose that goes beyond just making clothes for themselves.”

Tina has noticed that over the years, many of the Penn-Mar models continued to wear their custom clothes long after the show. “The entire experience has helped them articulate the styles they love most and elevate their own personal style. Now, rather than settling for clothes that simply met the basics, they’re exploring options that better reflect their personal style and comfort.”

“These designers are our future,” stated Tina. “They will take this experience with them wherever they land. It is a wonderful way to acquire knowledge about adaptive fashion, about the dignity and independence of people with disabilities, and their need to be able to express themselves through fashion without having to go through hurdles when dressing each morning. The exercise was not just about fashion.”