Nancy Connor and Johnny Goodwin Jr., both Philadelphia-based self-taught designers, have launched thriving businesses in adaptive apparel, a growing niche field, writes Lynette Hazelton for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Connor started to get interested in adaptive apparel to help her father, who had to tone down his usual fashion flair when he went into assisted living.
“My father wore a suit everyday — button-down shirt, dress shoes,” said Connor.
But he had to opt for sweat clothes instead due to a caregiver’s need for dressing ease.
Connor thought that there had to be a better way.
With no available options, she decided to quit her job and create the pieces herself. She soon started Smart Adaptive Clothing, which has been doing amazingly well since.
Meanwhile, Goodwin decided to start Easy Access Underwear after he checked into the market for men’s underwear and realized it totaled $11 billion in 2020. Even without previous designer experience, he decided to create better and sexier men’s underwear.
“I guess it was more like a challenge and I wanted to solve the problem,” said Goodwin.
He calls his designs the “most user-friendly male boxer brief in the world,” as they give users a sense of confidence, functionality, and style.
Read more about two local contributors to the growing adaptive apparel industry at The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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