COMFORTABLE OUTFITS FOR KIDS
Disabilities are being overcome with the outfits prepared by the lecturers of Izmir University of Economics (IUE), Faculty of Fine Arts and Design. Outfits, toys, and trainer pillows for children with physical and mental disabilities were prepared as part of a scientific research project titled, “Fashion and Textile Design via Social Development”, organized by IUE Department of Fashion and Textile Design. The outfits are ready to be used by the kids.
It has been reported that kids who were feeling uneasy about their clothes and wanted to rip them off, discontinued to do so with the outfits prepared as part of this project. Also, the new bibs were prepared for them with a type of fabric which does not get soaked in with saliva, and prevents bad odours and wetness. The trainer pillows lessened the dependency on stuffed toys, and the new developed toys improved their senses of touching and hearing.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Ebru Corsini, Lecturer at IUE Department of Fashion and Textile Design, undertook the project which aims to improve the quality of life of the kids, while Lecturers Angela Burns, Seda Kuleli, David Yeung took part in the entire process from designing to sawing.
‘Special designs for special kids’
Project Coordinator Corsini stated that as lecturers they wanted to put all their knowledge and effort together to improve the life quality of children with physical and mental disabilities. Stressing that different disabilities caused different needs, Asst. Prof. Dr. Corsini stated the following:
“When we got to know those children we found out about the functional aspects of the outfits. Each had a different need. This project taught us so much we didn’t know before. We determined the needs. When kids don’t feel comfortable in their clothes, they easily become unhappy and temperamental, and even go to the extremes such as ripping their clothes off. We realized that with the correct fabric and design they no longer wanted to rip their clothes off. And with the trainer pillows and toys we developed, some of the kids gave up their dependency on objects. Each surface of the pillows was made of different texture. We used materials that would allow kids to sense different sounds and feelings, which are very helpful for their education.”
Specific techniques, patterns, and dyes were used
Asst. Prof. Dr. Corsini also pointed out that they produced special breathable bibs that were resistant to saliva which prevent odours and bacteria. She said that they used unharmful dyes and special patterns that support their development.
‘Outfit is a primary need’
Lecturer Seda Kuleli indicated that outfit was another primary need just like eating and drinking. She said, “We felt the need to come up with more functional designed outfits for children with disabilities. Their need for comfort is much more than regular kids. While an ordinary kid might feel comfortable in a woven fabric, children with disabilities need not to be bothered about the fabric. Theirs should be made out of knitted fabric. We took this into consideration when designing.”
‘Comfortable, safe, secure, and fun outfits’
Lecturer Angela Burns stated that she was heavily involved in the design process of the project and she said she made sure the outfits were comfortable, safe, secure, and fun. Burns indicated that they came up with solutions through different designs, and said that they were going to work hard to make sure that future generations would take part in such social projects.
