HOW MY GRANDMOTHER INSPIRED A FASHION BRAND THAT HELPS PEOPLE
Today is Gorgeous Grandma Day! Founder Katie tells us how truly inspirational her grandmother has been and how she triggered the launch of The Able Label clothing.
As a buyer at White Stuff, we’d pride ourselves on creating beautiful, quality clothes that made people happy wearing them. Never did I consider the large numbers of women who found dressing into many high street clothes difficult, or just impossible.
You don’t appreciate the difficulties some people face dressing, until you yourself have experienced or seen it first hand – I certainly didn’t. My grandmother had Parkinson’s and with it lacked strength and dexterity, had reduced mobility and also faced cognitive difficulties.
She’d always tell me how much she hated my grandfather helping her to dress, feeling she was. Losing her dignity. She was also certainly not willing to sacrifice her style either taking great pride in what she wore. It really was a big part of her identity and she did not want to lose this.
From seeing my grandmothers need and going on to speak to many other women in the same position as her, The Able Label was created to bridge the gap between fashion and function.
The Able Label clothes have two key rules:
- no overhead dressing
- no fiddly fastenings
We also use quality, easy care fabrics with high stretch to make dressing easier and have colour coordinated internals to help dress items the right way if you have cognitive difficulties. This is all whilst maintaining style and comfort.
I remember trying clothes on my grandmother to gain feedback and after checking she didn’t mind me doing so, she replied,
No dear, if you can help one other person in the same situation as me, you do what you have to do.
This still resonates with me today and is a key driver behind why we do what we do.
Had it not been for my grandmother, we may never have started the business. She has made us so passionate about helping others to maintain their style and identity as well as independence and dignity.
Like we achieved at White Stuff, The Able Label is making people happy wearing our clothes but, for a whole different reason.
Here's to my Gorgeous Grandma on this special day, I hope you’re looking down on us with a big smile having seen how far we have grown the business in your name!
To find out more on The Able Label, see our 'About Us' page by clicking here.
If you would like to contact us directly you can:
Phone: 01622 744242 // Email: cservices@theablelabel.com