The Current: Rethinking Fashion for Inclusivity

Join us for a virtual lightning talk with Parsons student Maanya Lakhiani and Katie Horan, Founder of All Bodies, which provides accessibility training to the bridal industry.

Join CoDesign Collaborative for The Current, a virtual, student-led lightning talk series highlighting vital topics in design, on April 25, 12:30-1 pm ET / 9:30-10 am PT to discuss inclusive fashion design with students Maanya Lakhiani and Katie Horan, Founder at All Bodies, All Brides.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in 4 people worldwide have a disability. Yet, the fashion industry—driven by mass production and seasonal trends—often prioritizes form over function, making it difficult for individuals with disabilities to find clothing that is both stylish and accessible. While adaptive clothing exists, the current options remain limited, highlighting the need for a more inclusive approach to fashion design.

This talk will explore how designers can integrate inclusive design principles to create garments that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional, comfortable, and empowering for all wearers. Through the lens of bridal wear, we’ll examine the challenges individuals with disabilities face when shopping for significant life events and how the industry can better meet their needs.

The conversation will delve into:

• How fashion brands can integrate inclusivity from the start rather than as an afterthought.
• The role of technology and innovation in advancing adaptive fashion.
• How store layouts and dressing rooms can be redesigned for greater accessibility.
• How bridal designers can ensure gowns and suits accommodate different mobility and sensory needs.

About Maanya Lakhiani:

Maanya Lakhiani is a strategic thinker with a passion for brand direction, marketing, and luxury fashion. Currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Strategic Design and Management at Parsons School of Design, she has spearheaded projects that live in the intersection of business, creativity, and consumer insights. Beyond her professional aspirations, Maanya is an advocate for networking and industry engagement. Recognizing a gap in resources for fashion business students at Parsons, she is working to establish a fashion business society to facilitate networking events, industry talks, and career support. Having grown up in Dubai and India, Maanya brings a global perspective to her work, seamlessly blending diverse cultural influences with a keen eye for trends.

About Katie Horan:

Katie Horan is the founder of All Bodies, All Brides, a company providing accessibility training to bridal stores, seamstresses, and wedding dress designers in the pursuit of disability justice. With 6 years of bridal experience and a lifelong commitment to disability advocacy, she is reshaping the fashion industry’s perspective to be better prepared to serve people with disabilities in a compassionate, inclusive manner. When she isn’t working with bridal teams or sketching adaptive wedding dresses, she is an undergraduate in the Department of Religion at Princeton University, considering how people with intellectual and developmental disabilities navigate religious spaces, develop community, and conceptualize God.