A fashion designer from County Durham is making history at London Fashion Week with a UK-first approach—integrating braille into her catwalk designs.
Kat Paylor-Bent, founder of Seated Sewing and based in Bowburn near Durham, is unveiling her “Feel Seen” collection, aiming to promote inclusivity and accessibility in fashion for disabled people.
Paylor-Bent explained her vision: “I want to be as inclusive as possible, and one thing I’ve never seen is anyone describe outfits in braille. So, I thought, ‘If I’m going to challenge myself, I’m going to challenge myself fully.'”
The “Feel Seen” collection, which features 10 pieces, includes a range of styles from base layers and workwear to tuxedos and evening gowns. Paylor-Bent’s adaptive designs incorporate functional features like discreet zips for easy access for people undergoing treatments such as chemotherapy or those with medical conditions like colostomies or catheters.
Each garment includes a high-contrast tape adorned with black Swarovski crystals and a ribbon of different colors. The braille descriptions offer insight into the garment’s color, style, fit, and any specific adaptations, ensuring that visually impaired individuals can fully appreciate the collection.
“My main goal was to highlight the lack of adaptive fashion on the high street,” Kat explained. “When I became disabled, I realized how often people assumed I would just be confined to pajamas or not leave the house. But it’s not true. It’s only my legs that don’t work—my love for clothing and life hasn’t changed.”
With her innovative designs, Paylor-Bent is showing that any garment, no matter the challenge, can be transformed into something beautiful, accessible, and inclusive for everyone.
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