Kyiv, 14 November 2024 – In a pioneering step toward greater inclusivity, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine presented a landmark event today in Kyiv – “Fashion Space for All: Adaptive Clothing Design.” This initiative, funded by the governments of the Republic of Korea and Germany, brings together influential voices from the fashion industry, disability advocates, and individuals with lived experiences to focus on the critical need for adaptive clothing as an essential element of accessibility, dignity, and empowerment for people with disabilities in Ukraine.

Due to the ongoing war, Ukraine has seen a significant increase in the number of people who face new physical challenges. For many, everyday tasks like getting dressed now present new obstacles, highlighting an urgent demand for adaptive clothing that combines functionality and style. Adaptive clothing, thoughtfully integrating practicality and accessibility, has become essential for individuals with disabilities, promoting comfort and confidence.

Reflecting on the broader importance of barrier-free design, Tetiana Lomakina, Advisor – Presidential Commissioner for a Barrier-Free Environment, said, “Adaptive clothing is about much more than comfort – it’s about enabling independence and confidence in everyday life. By advancing adaptive fashion, we move closer to building a society that supports the rights and needs of all people, fostering true inclusivity and equality.”

“Fashion is not just about appearance; it’s a means for self-expression and inclusion,” said Jaco Cilliers, UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine. “Through adaptive clothing, individuals gain access to autonomy, and the confidence that allows them to engage fully in society. At UNDP, we’re committed to supporting designs that enhance independence and facilitate a barrier-free environment.”

Iryna Danylevska, co-founder of Ukrainian Fashion Week and vice president of the Ukrainian Fashion Council, emphasized: “Fashion has never been detached from social issues. On the contrary, fashion is a platform from which urgent societal problems can and should be voiced loudly, with confidence that these issues will be heard.”

“The war has immersed us in a reality where adaptive clothing design becomes one of the industry’s priorities. We live in a country where inclusivity is our responsibility, our necessity, our new norm.”

Event participants explored advances in Ukraine’s adaptive fashion industry and participated in a series of sessions focused on practical approaches to inclusive fashion design. A key segment of the event, titled “An honest conversation over coffee,” brought participants together to share personal experiences with adaptive clothing, highlighting both challenges and inspiring stories of empowerment and self-expression.

The event showcased Ukraine’s latest innovations in adaptive clothing through a fashion show, giving attendees a firsthand look at practical and stylish adaptive designs. The show aimed to encourage designers and brands to embrace inclusivity as a core part of their creative vision.

The “Fashion Space for All” event exemplifies UNDP’s commitment to building an inclusive, accessible society in Ukraine. It aligns with other UNDP initiatives, such as the Universal Design School, which fosters the knowledge and skills needed to advance inclusivity in design and architecture. Through partnerships and strategic support, UNDP is driving momentum toward meaningful change in Ukraine’s fashion market, promoting a future where everyone has access to clothing that meets their needs and supports their independence and dignity.

The event “Fashion Space for All: Adaptive Clothing Design” is organized within the framework of the project “Supporting the Rehabilitation of People with Disabilities Caused by War,” implemented by UNDP in Ukraine with financial support from the governments of the Republic of Korea and Germany.

Media enquiries: Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Head of Communications; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org