Fashion With A Purpose: Empowering Persons with Disabilities to Create A Sustainable and Inclusive Capsule Collection
29 Nov 2024
In a move to champion disability inclusion in the design sector, i'mable Collective — an initiative by SG Enable, the focal agency for disability and inclusion in Singapore — partnered with Singapore Fashion Council to launch an inclusive and sustainable capsule collection.
Singapore, 29 Nov 2024 — In a move to champion disability inclusion in the design sector, i'mable Collective — an initiative by SG Enable, the focal agency for disability and inclusion in Singapore — partnered with Singapore Fashion Council to launch an inclusive and sustainable capsule collection.
This capsule collection featured over 30 styles, including womenswear, childrenswear, bags, accessories, and lifestyle products made from recycled or upcycled materials. It is exclusively retailed at DORS at Design Orchard from now until 31 December 2024.
A Call for Collaboration was launched in January 2024 for Singapore designers to train and hire persons with disabilities to co-produce this capsule collection. Five designers – ANS.EIN, Bound Designs, IKKIKDZ, Photo Phactory, and Re-store submitted their proposals.
i’mable Collective worked closely with the designers to embark on training and employment approaches for their respective lines of products. The collaboration extends beyond the runway through two training and employment approaches: Train-and-Place and Place-and-Train. These two approaches ensure that persons with disabilities receive customised training and job opportunities, enabling them to build abilities, gain confidence, and access a broader range of employment possibilities.
To prepare the designers to be inclusive employers, they attended a ‘Disability Management’ workshop conducted by SG Enable’s Enabling Academy, to better understand different types of disabilities and etiquette when interacting with persons with disabilities.
This collaboration saw the training and employment of more than 40 persons with disabilities in a variety of skills. We encourage more designers to come forward to offer training and employment opportunities to persons with disabilities.
Place-and-Train
Persons with disabilities are placed directly into roles based on job suitability and skills matching. This model allows individuals to upskill on the job to increase their capabilities and understanding of company-specific work processes. The Job Placement Job Support (JPJS) Programme also provides post-placement job support that helps persons with disabilities seamlessly integrate into the workforce.
ANS.EIN
Pictured from left to right: Shennie and Yu Peng from Journey by TOUCH Community Services, Sor Chin from MINDS, Anseina Eliza from ANS.EIN, Emily Ong from SG Enable, and Yimei from MINDS at the collection’s launch.
ANS.EIN utilised the Place-and-Train approach, where on-the-job training was conducted for the trainers and these four makers. They were hired to interlock the fabric squares and carry out simple colour theory based on their artistic direction.
Train-and-Place (Supported by SG Enable Training Grant)
Persons with disabilities undergo comprehensive training modules designed to develop or enhance new skills. This aims to enhance employability and retention by equipping them with the necessary technical and soft skills to thrive in the workforce. Upon completion, the individuals, if suitable, are matched to job placements accordingly.
Re-Store
Re-store’s training programme titled ‘Weaving for Empowerment’ taught trainees about weaving of fabric, simple colour theory for artistic direction, and the sewing of woven textiles into products.
Re-store trained four persons with disabilities from Autism Resource Centre (ARC) and one from Re-store. After the training session, two trainees, Caleb and Joshua, were hired to carry out the weaving on an employment model for at least six months.
Trainees created a line of bags, pouches, laptop sleeves, trays, and coasters.
Pictured from left to right: Karen Teo-Robertson, Veronica Teo and Claudia Yong from Re-store, Emily Ong from SG Enable, and Joshua from Autism Resource Centre (ARC) with his mother and grandmother at the collection's launch.
IKKIKIDZ
Pictured from left to right: Elizabeth and Ayu from APSN, Ivana Dobnikar from IKKIKIDZ, Emma from ART:DIS and Gigi Teo from IKKIKIDZ at the collection’s launch.
IKKIKIDZ trained persons with disabilities under a training programme called ‘Linocut Art Workshop’, supported by the SG Enable Training Grant. This included learning how to make a linocut print from drawing and carving of linocut printed onto childrenswear. IKKIKIDZ trained Emma to produce the linocut prints and hired Elizabeth and Ayu from APSN to handle the printing.
Bound Designs
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Bound Designs launched a training programme called ‘Macramé for Fashion Handbag & Accessories Making’ where persons with disabilities learnt macarmé knotting and simple colour theory of textile colours. They created bags (clutch, bucket bag) and accessories (tassel keyrings, rope necklaces, wristlets, crossbody straps). 24 persons with disabilities from MINDS were trained, and two of them, Hidayah and Halidah, were hired to produce the line of bags.
Pictured from left to right: Emily Ong from SG Enable, Hidayah from MINDS, Lu-Lyn Chang from Bound Designs, Hidayah’s family members, and Shialey Tan from SG Enable at the collection’s launch.
Photo Phactory
Pictured from left to right: Ayu from APSN, Shialey Tan from SG Enable, Elizabeth from APSN, Shruti and Valley Arora from Photo Phactory, and Emily Ong from SG Enable at the collection’s launch.
Photo Phactory’s training programme titled ‘Block Printing Workshop’ taught trainees how to apply paint on wooden blocks and print onto cloth. The line included scarves, kitchen mittens, placemats, and tea towels. 14 persons with disabilities from ASPN were trained, and Jessica and Aidah (not pictured) were hired to produce the merchandise.
“This partnership showcased the training and employment approach for persons with disabilities within the design sector. Through tailored training and employment opportunities provided by SG Enable, we can showcase the possibilities of hiring persons with disabilities through an inclusive employment pathway.
This aligns with SG Enable's mission to empower persons with disabilities and create a level playing field where everyone can showcase their talent and reach their fullest potential," says Emily Ong, Senior Director of Employment & Lifelong Learning, SG Enable.
Pictured above: The capsule collection displayed at DORS at Design Orchard featuring products from ANS.EIN, Bound Designs, IKKIKIDZ, Photo Phactory and Re-store. The collection is available until 31 December 2024.
Zhang Ting Ting, CEO of Singapore Fashion Council says, “At the Singapore Fashion Council, our partnership with SG Enable’s i’mable Collective is a significant step towards blending creativity with inclusivity. By connecting Bound Designs — a member of the Singapore Fashion Council and Design Orchard designers — ANS.EIN, Re-store, IKKIKIDZ, and Photo Phactory with persons with disabilities, we have witnessed the profound impact that diverse perspectives can bring to the design process.
This collaboration goes beyond fashion; it’s about empowering individuals, celebrating their unique talents, and demonstrating that creativity knows no bounds. We are excited to drive change in the fashion industry, championing collections that showcase the richness of diverse abilities and building a more inclusive world where each design tells a story and every perspective is valued.”
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