Adaptive Vintage Project

The Adaptive Vintage Project is a challenge to see if I can alter vintage clothing to be adaptable. 

Adaptive fashion is clothing designed to make getting dressed easier for those with disabilities, limited mobility, and sensory issues. It often features easy closures, flexible and adjustable sizing, openings for medical devices and equipment, and more. As a person with disabilities, I am very aware of the barriers to clothing and other wearables for those in my community. I spent a large portion of my Undergraduate program studying and designing adaptive jewelry. 

First and foremost, I love vintage fashion!

Secondly, working with vintage clothing is more sustainable and often more affordable. I can rest easy about my environmental impact and experience the joy of finding a good deal.

To be a bit vulnerable, a few months ago I became unable to work full-time due to my disability.
(Don't worry, all is fine and we're looking for solutions to get me back where I was!)

To help support myself I began selling vintage clothing and video games on Ebay. It was something I capable of and I was still working with things I loved (fashion and Nintendo consoles). However, I had been missing designing and I know that the disability space is where I want to find myself in the future. It dawned on me that I could be bringing all of these passions together.

Vintage fashion is rarely adaptive, but maybe I could change that! Altering vintage clothing to be adaptable will take a lot of learning. I am a jewelry designer, not a clothing designer. I also only know the basics of the sewing machine. I can already see the list of challenges ahead of me, but that's why it's called a project! It's not guaranteed to be a success, but it will push me out of my comfort zone and towards something I truly care about. 

I plan to keep track of my progress and I hope you'll join me on the journey!

You can find my blog here:

If I'm brave enough, I might do some video updates eventually...we'll see.