Image by kp yamu Jayanath from Pixabay
Written by Mia Turnbull
Fashion stylist Katie Lodge recently opened Kanna, a new line for children with sensory difficulties, after she became frustrated about not being able to find clothes for her daughter with sensory issues.
Statistics show she is not alone. Sixty-two percent of disabled shoppers struggle to find clothes that would work for them. And according to a 2025 poll, many people struggle with everything from irritation due to garment cuts and textures to outright pain.
Despite this, Kanna is one of the only brands available that accommodates both invisible and visible disability as well as sensory disorders.
This applies to catwalk fashion as well. Disabled people make up 24 percent of the population, yet models with visible and invisible disabilities represent just 0.02 percent of fashion campaigns.
Is it any wonder there is a lack of fashion made specifically with disabilities in mind? Disabled model Emily Barker said recently in a Dazed interview: “Brands are scared because it’s unfamiliar,” she said. ” “It’s an inconvenience for them to think about access for runways and backstage spaces. We aren’t a priority.”
Students at London Metropolitan University were asked if clothes have ever made them feel uncomfortable, and if they cared more about comfort or style when it comes to fashion. They said that they felt uncomfortable with certain clothing items, particularly the cut, and that both style and comfort were priorities when buying clothes.
“The clothes that make me feel uncomfortable are the clothes that do not cover the private areas because I don’t feel comfortable with those parts of my body out,” said Jessica Franco, a second-year marketing student.
Jessica gives her opinion. Video by Jas Singh
Julian Ammaral, a second-year business student, added: “I choose comfortability over style because I work out and it makes sense to work around that.” He also said how much struggles with turtlenecks, as he finds them restrictive.
Julian talks about fashion. Interview by Jas Singh
Sensory issues are common in society, and recognising them could be a huge step to increasing inclusiveness around fashion, from how garments are designed to how much representation in the fashion industry exists, including an increase in the number of disabled models, fashion designers, creative directors and more.
Around 75 percent of disabled people feel the fashion industry doesn’t meet their needs, despite the fact they have a large amount of spending power. Seventy to 80 percent of disabilities are invisible including neurodivergence, PTSD, and many chronic illnesses, meaning there are many consumers who might struggle finding fashion that works for them.
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