On 18th July, Fashion-Enter Ltd (FEL) and the Fashion Technology Academy (FTA) welcomed Open Style Lab (OSL) to its head office in Haringey to launch a collaborative seven-week Saturday programme focused on inclusive fashion design and garment production.
The initiative brings together 22 participants who will develop practical skills in designing, pattern cutting, draping and garment construction, with the aim of producing adaptable clothing by the end of the programme. The partnership reflects both organisations’ commitment to creating a more inclusive fashion industry by equipping participants with technical skills and encouraging innovative approaches to adaptive design.
The first session introduced participants to the design process through collaborative brainstorming activities, where they explored concepts for their garments and discussed how these ideas could be translated into finished designs using pattern cutting and draping techniques. The stitching lessons provided a supportive and inclusive learning environment, allowing participants to build confidence while developing essential garment-making skills.
Technical guidance throughout the programme is being delivered by John Herrera, tutor at the FTA, who is providing expert support as participants progress from concept development to finished garments. By the end of the seven-week course, participants will have designed, pattern-cut and produced their own adaptable garments, demonstrating the practical skills and knowledge gained throughout the programme.
Open Style Lab is a disability-led, Smithsonian Design Award-winning charity that is reimagining the role of design in society’s understanding of disability and ageing. Its mission is to make style accessible to people with disabilities through the integration of beauty, technology and education. Working at the intersection of style, wellbeing and inclusion, the organisation believes that thoughtful design can not only solve practical challenges but also change perceptions and foster a greater sense of belonging.
Founded at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2014 before later establishing its base at Parsons School of Design, Open Style Lab expanded to the UK in 2025 to extend its global impact. Its multidisciplinary approach brings together disabled experts, designers, engineers, occupational therapists and medical professionals to co-create innovative adaptive solutions. Alongside its design work, the charity invests in developing disabled leadership by equipping fellows with skills in design, garment making, collaboration and public speaking, helping to shape the next generation of inclusive fashion leaders.
The collaboration with FEL supports Open Style Lab’s vision of driving systemic change by educating, equipping and empowering both disabled and non-disabled designers so that inclusive design becomes the standard rather than the exception. Through practical training and collaborative learning, the programme is helping participants develop industry-ready skills while contributing to a more accessible and representative future for fashion.