Katharine Perry and William Lecky, co-founders of Adaptt Apparel, are transforming the adaptive clothing industry with a focus on blending style and function. Inspired by Katharine’s personal caregiving experiences, Adaptt Apparel was created to fill the gap in the market for fashionable, functional, and accessible clothing for individuals with mobility and cognitive challenges. In this interview with CanadianSME Small Business Magazine, Katharine and William share their journey, design philosophy, and vision for the future of adaptive fashion. They discuss the importance of inclusivity in the apparel industry and their mission to make adaptive clothing a mainstream staple.
Katharine Perry and William Lecky are the co-founders of Adaptt Apparel, an innovative brand transforming the adaptive clothing industry. Inspired by Katharine’s personal experience as a caregiver for her parents, Adaptt was born out of the need for stylish, functional clothing that promotes dignity and ease for individuals with mobility issues.
Katharine’s deep understanding of caregiving and background in education drives her passion for inclusivity, while William’s background in design complements their mission to create thoughtfully crafted apparel. Together, they are leading the charge in adaptive fashion, committed to ethical production, and reshaping what it means to design for diverse needs.
What inspired you to start Adaptt Apparel, and how did your personal experiences as a caregiver influence the brand’s mission and design philosophy?
Adaptt Apparel was born in 2022, when I began searching for adaptive clothing for my father, who was dealing with dementia and mobility challenges. What I found were limited options that often sacrificed style, functionality, and fit. That experience, combined with my mother’s own health issues, fuelled my desire to create clothing that strikes a balance between practicality and fashion. Adaptt’s mission is rooted in improving the quality of life for individuals with mobility or cognitive limitations, designing clothes that integrate seamlessly into everyday life.
Adaptive fashion is a growing but still underrepresented segment of the apparel industry. How do you see the role of inclusivity evolving in fashion, and what impact do you hope Adaptt Apparel will have on this space?
Inclusivity in fashion is evolving to embrace a wider range of needs, but adaptive fashion, which serves people with physical and cognitive disabilities, remains underrepresented. As the industry increasingly values diversity, inclusivity now extends beyond body types, gender identities, and cultural backgrounds to include accessibility for people of varying physical abilities.
Adaptt Apparel wants to contribute to this shift by offering stylish and functional clothing for those who may feel overlooked by mainstream fashion. Our hope is that Adaptt Apparel will help normalize adaptive wear as part of everyday fashion, encouraging the industry to rethink design processes to be more universally accessible.
Creating clothing that is both stylish and functional for individuals with mobility challenges can be complex. What are some of the unique design considerations you incorporate to ensure your pieces are accessible while maintaining a sense of style?
Designing adaptive clothing requires thoughtful attention to both form and function. At Adaptt, we’ve incorporated several key features to ensure that our pieces meet the needs of our customers while maintaining a stylish look:
- Zipper Systems: Our discreet and durable zipper designs allow easy access to the entire body, whether dressing independently or with assistance.
- Elastic Waistbands and Adjustable Sizing: Flexible waistbands and adjustable features offer a comfortable, personalized fit that adapts to different body shapes and movement needs.
- Flat Seams: These reduce skin irritation, which is especially important for individuals with sensory sensitivities.
- Stretch Fabrics: Combining soft, stretchy materials with structured designs ensures ease of movement without sacrificing style.
By integrating these elements, we’re able to create clothing that meets functional needs without compromising aesthetics.
What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in bringing Adaptt Apparel to market, and what strategies have you employed to overcome these hurdles and drive the brand’s growth?
Adaptt has faced its share of challenges, similar to many adaptive clothing brands. Here are a few key hurdles:
- Building Awareness: Adaptive fashion is still relatively niche, and many people—both those with mobility challenges and caregivers—aren’t fully aware of the options available. To address this, we focus on educating consumers through digital marketing and social media, sharing real-life stories and testimonials that highlight the impact of adaptive clothing.
- Breaking Stereotypes: There’s a persistent misconception that adaptive clothing is purely functional and lacks style. We counter this by emphasizing the fashion-forward aspects of our designs and collaborating with influencers and designers who focus on both style and practicality.
Through innovation, collaboration, and strategic marketing, Adaptt continues to expand its presence in the market.
Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for the future of Adaptt Apparel, and how do you envision the brand evolving in terms of innovation, inclusivity, and impact on the adaptive fashion industry?
Through these aspirations, Adaptt Apparel can continue to push the boundaries in the adaptive fashion space, evolving into a brand synonymous with innovation, inclusivity, and global impact.
As we look to the future, we’re focused on three key areas: innovation, inclusivity, and impact.
- Innovation: We aim to push the boundaries of adaptive fashion, incorporating advanced functional features like self-fastening mechanisms (e.g., magnetic closures) and materials designed for ease of use and maintenance.
- Inclusivity: We’re committed to expanding our reach to include a wider range of disabilities and body types, ensuring everyone feels represented. This includes designing for people with cognitive disabilities, sensory sensitivities, or motor skill challenges.
- Impact: Our goal is for Adaptt to be recognized as a leader in adaptive fashion, setting new standards for functionality, design, and inclusivity. We envision a future where adaptive fashion is fully integrated into mainstream fashion, no longer seen as a niche category.
Through these efforts, we hope Adaptt will continue to drive meaningful change in the adaptive fashion space, shaping an industry that’s truly inclusive.
