Fashion

Reebok has introduced a new line of sneakers, designed to meet the accessibility needs of disabled people. The new line was designed in partnership with Zappos Adaptive and includes shoes with easy on-and-off wear capability.

These easy on-and-off shoes, dubbed the Nanoflex Parafit TR and Club MEMT Parafit, have a low-cut design and feature “removable sock liners (for orthotics) and high abrasion rubber outsoles for superior grip.” The Nanoflex Parafit TR shoe has a breathable mesh upper component, zipper and heel pull tab – welcome features that will make the task of putting on and taking off shoes easier for many disabled people.

Reebok’s adaptive line comes about two years after Nike unveiled its GO FlyEase collection of adaptive sneakers.

To learn more about Reebok’s new line of accessible shoes, read the article in Yanko Design.

Nike has added a new sneaker to its FlyEase adaptive shoe collection that will be the first hands-free tennis shoe in its product line.

The shoe, dubbed the Nike GO FlyEase, features a “bi-stable hinge and a tensioner — which works like a big rubber band — to allow the shoe to smoothly open and close” at ease. The innovative design makes it possible to put on and take off the shoe entirely hands-free, with no shoe laces, zippers or Velcro straps to contend with.

When the new GO FlyEase shoe hits the market later this year, it will improve the ability of many older and disabled people to manage their shoes independently, while not having to sacrifice the comfort and fit that makes sneakers so popular with the masses.

To read more about the Nike GO FlyEase shoe, click here.

As further proof that accessibility has moved into the mainstream, disability  representation in the modeling industry has increased substantially, with disabled models appearing in advertising campaigns for brands like Coach, Diesel Jeans, L’Oréal, Target, Vera Wang and many others. They’ve also walked (or rolled) the runways during fashion weeks around the world and been featured in top magazines like Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire and Vogue.

Every model finds a different path to their career and The Photo Studio recently interviewed 20 disabled models to reveal how they got their big breaks. The 20 models featured include stars like Jack Eyers, Jillian Mercado, Sophie Morgan and Madeline Stuart. Through their hard work and determination, they’ve pushed the industry towards greater diversity and proved that representation is a winning strategy.

To read about how 20 of the top disabled models earned their spot on the cover, click here.

After developing a motor neuron disease that paralyzed her arms, Christina Mallon began to adapt the way she approached life and got things done. With her newfound disability, she felt pressure from people’s preconceived notions that her life was “over” or lacked value. Committed to dismantling those false assumptions, she focused on changing the image of disability through fashion.

Christina has become a leader in accessible fashion, helping brands like Tommy Hilfiger create adaptive clothing lines and working with organizations to show disabled people how they can make use of fashion and beauty products. Her demonstration videos show disabled people what is possible and how to do it, even if you don’t have use of your arms.

To read more about Christina’s career, click here.