Last Updated on 02/01/2024 by Crip Life
Chicable is a new adaptive clothing brand that has designed clothing with accessible and easy-to-use fastenings. Its founder Gary Duong explains how he started Chicable and the kind of products he has created.
My name is Gary Duong. I am a first-time half-marathoner, adaptive cyclist and entrepreneur based in the San Francisco Bay area. I was born with cerebral palsy affecting primarily my lower extremities. Cerebral palsy is a neuromuscular condition affecting balance, coordination and movement, so fine-motor activities like zipping and buttoning can be difficult.
I have launched a new smart, stylish and adaptive clothing brand, Chicable. The name Chicable comes from two words: “chic” – to look stylish and sophisticated – and “able” – adapted to fit you and your needs.
How Chicable started
I was getting dressed for a holiday party last year around Christmas and noticed it had taken me about five minutes to button the cuffs and collar because my fingers wouldn’t cooperate properly. A not-insignificant sum was spent last year on smart apparel such as blazers and suits as well for work and occasions where I needed to look sharp and polished.
Putting two-and-two together, I had a vision for a clothing brand that would empower people with physical challenges to look smart and sophisticated by eliminating barriers to dressing, replacing buttons on shirts with hook-and-loop closures for instance, without changing what the shirt looks like on the outside. As they say, it’s the inside (lining) that counts!
Chicable launched in April 2023, with the vision of elevating and esteeming the individual and the mission of creating alterations and enhancements to dress in style, whether for work or a date night.
Chicable adaptive clothing products
We launched our first product in July, a cotton shirt with hook-and-loop closures in place of buttons for effortless dressing. Our flagship product is slated to be released in late October and features a blazer in the same hook-and-loop closure style with premium materials.
As time and resources allow, we plan to expand our collections into more segments in the coming months and years, with alterations such as magnetic buttons and new materials designed to elevate adaptive apparel.
Bridging the gap between disability and fashion, we endeavour to create a space where we celebrate and empower our customers to dress with finesse and confidence.
Chicable wants to redefine the dressing experience for people with physical challenges. We’re not the first brand to have attempted this, but we are in the niche of creating sleek, timeless pieces that will look stunning in any wardrobe.
We want to answer the question – “Can people with disabilities look fashionable and suave with our products?” – We know that your answer will be a resounding yes.
We can’t solve all your problems, but we can start the process by solving your dressing problem.
You can find out more about Chicable by visiting its website or follow on Instagram @chicableapparel.
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