The MAKI brand presented the project “Functional Fashion: Equality in Diversity,” organized by a team of designers, rehabilitation specialists, and veterans. The project aims to break down barriers and pave the way for new opportunities for people with disabilities through functional and stylish clothing.

The challenges of today drive us to find effective solutions that break down barriers and create equal opportunities in society. Accessibility is the responsibility of both society as a whole and each individual. That’s why the “Function 24” project team set the goal of creating a clothing collection that ensures independence, autonomy, and confidence for people with injuries to their hands, eyes, and legs, as well as those using prosthetics or other assistive devices.

The uniqueness of the project lies in the close collaboration between designers and focus groups, which include veterans with various types of amputations and vision impairments. Each participant in the focus group orders clothing that meets their particular needs and style. This approach allows the project to encompass a diverse array of clothing models—from t-shirts and hoodies to classic suits, jeans, and shirts. After creating the designs based on individual orders, they are tested by other groups to optimize functionality and standardize the design. This makes it possible to scale each type of clothing and make it available to a broader audience.

The functionality of the “Functional Fashion” project is seamlessly integrated into the design, making it convenient and stylish for everyone. It is clothing that provides confidence and comfort, allowing individuals to dress independently, spend time with family and friends, and work within circles of successful people. Clothing with function is about dignity and equal opportunities.

The project’s space at Ukrainian Fashion Week was presented as an art installation, where each mannequin in the clothing represented a specific veteran, and visitors could learn their story through a QR code. Attendees had the opportunity to experience firsthand how visually impaired people perceive urban environments, through a blackout capsule featuring the sounds of the city in headphones. Among the adaptive clothing pieces, an outfit by SVD Denim was also presented. Additionally, the exhibition showcased programs for the blind and a model of a bionic prosthesis as a symbol of technological progress and a barrier-free future.

The “Functional Fashion: Equality in Diversity” project is not just a fashion presentation, but also a social initiative aimed at creating an inclusive society where everyone has equal opportunities and feels confident. It is a step towards a future where accessibility becomes the norm, and diversity is a value.

Photo: Katia Hahasova