Victoria’s Secret made its adaptive fashion debut at the Runway of Dreams show during New York Fashion Week. The Victoria’s Secret team had first come to a Runway of Dreams show two years ago to check out what was happening, and six months later they began a partnership with Mindy Scheier, founder of its foundation. For Scheier, it was an extraordinary process. “Victoria’s Secret is such a global brand. And to have them take their time to really understand who the woman was with a disability before designing for her, they really went through the process and then listened.”
It was also a momentous occasion for the models. Like many others, they had grown up watching the Victoria’s Secret runway show on television. However, with most bras and lingerie on the traditional market not being sensory-friendly, it’s been difficult for disabled people to find a design that is both comfortable and cute for them to wear. Lydia Smith, Victoria’s Secret’s chief diversity officer, described the intensive process the team went through with focus groups to perfect the products before showing them on the runway. “When we were working with women with disabilities to get feedback on the bra, we learned that something that is so important to this community is the fabric,” Smith said. “A lot of bras are itchy, uncomfortable, and have wiring, and it really hits different places on their bodies. Our team took that feedback to ensure that our fabric is stretchy, so it moves with your body but is also supersoft to the touch.”
The team’s mission to create a comfortable bra seemed to have succeeded, as the discourse among the models was that this was the first bra they had put on in years due to their sensory issues. The line, which comes in bright and fun colors and not in standard neutrals as most medical bras do, was an exciting moment for them as well. The collection was also well received by the show’s audience. You could hear the uproar from the press, sponsors, and adaptive community when the collection, which includes slips, bras, underwear, tights, and even tennis skirts, debuted on the runway. The collection will be shoppable in select stores and online in October.