With a drive to genuinely contribute to a more inclusive and diverse society, a group of passionate young designers tapped their creativity and skills to launch a collection of fashion apparel made for children with special needs.
Graduating students from the Fashion Design and Merchandising Program of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, namely, Angela Bautista, Diane Bobier, Allana Nicolas, and Darlenne Rivera, combined function and fashion to create the Spectrum Kidz.
The brand debuted with a 20-piece collection of ready-to-wear apparel which consisted of basic clothing necessities and cutting-edge ensembles fit for children from ages two to eight years old.
As the name suggests, Spectrum Kidz offers a wide range of choices made of a variety of textiles in various colors.
The rising style innovators brought their concepts to life using meticulously selected textiles, including cotton, poplin, neoprene, plush, corduroy, velvet, cotton twill, jersey knit, brush twill, geena silk, satin silk, denim, and cotton denim.
“These fabrics offer the most comfortable choices for them (the children),” team spokesperson Bobier stated. “Some opted for clothes that are soft to touch such as jersey knit, cotton, and neoprene. Other children preferred stiffer fabric like denim.”
Utmost attention was given to jacket zippers and snaps, which allowed ease of access and gave opportunities to children to effortlessly dress themselves. “The adoption of ordinary closings such as buttons may bring a challenge,” said Bobier.
Meanwhile, the featured sensory toy-inspired accessories, produced through arduous manipulation, help wearers in the development of their concentration and focus, thinking, and motor skills.
Among the popular items in the collection was the vibrant and weighted Shibori Bomber Jacket that gave Deep Touch Pressure.
“It provides a calming and soothing effect to children with autism who have self-regulation difficulties and sensory processing disorder (SPD),” explained Bobier, adding, “This kind of jacket may be appreciated whenever kids feel anxious or scared or when they are undergoing tantrums.”
Also included was a shirt with a charming artwork sketched by a young boy with autism. Through sublimation printing and heat press, the child’s drawing serves as a memento as he started to develop his artistic skills.
“Our brand aimed to spread art which embraced one’s differences,” declared Bobier. “No matter who you are, you can be the best version of yourself.”
The team behind Spectrum Kidz wished to adopt the advocacy as they pursue their different paths in the industry. Bobier said, “We realized that kids with autism deserve more, a society where they belong and a future that won’t neglect them.”
