Guadalajara, Mexico – Mexican designers Jehsel Lau and Valeria Guzmán have introduced an innovative clothing line that features Braille messages, enabling individuals with sensory disabilities to engage with fashion in a more inclusive manner. This groundbreaking initiative allows people with visual impairments to learn about colors and fabrics, fostering a sense of inclusion in the fashion world.
Jehsel Lau, the creative force behind the Haute a Porter brand, which showcased its collection at the Intermoda platform in Guadalajara, shared that this concept was inspired by a visually impaired woman who inquired about the clothes they offered. This encounter led to a significant realization about the importance of accessibility in fashion.
“Understanding that there are many women in Mexico who also have this disability and who are part of the world, as a brand we aim to empower women through phrases, through color, giving them this possibility of having something personal that reminds them that they are still beautiful and they are still part of us as a community,” Lau expressed.
The designers have meticulously hand-embroidered phrases from the renowned book The Little Prince in Braille on various garments including blouses, vests, belts, and sportswear. Among these is the iconic quote, “You can only see with the heart. What is essential is invisible to the eyes.” Additionally, they have made design modifications to ensure these clothes are easier to wear.
Valeria Guzmán, a collaborator with the brand and someone who has a visual disability herself, explained that they received invaluable guidance from the organization ‘Segunda Mirada’. This collaboration ensured that the placement of the Braille phrases was accurate and meaningful for individuals with sensory disabilities, including those who are blind or deafblind.
“People with disabilities have a huge inequality gap, it is true, but also speaking in commercial terms we could be a potential market that is rarely looked at and they should be, because we are users of all kinds of things, objects and clothing,” Guzmán highlighted.
The commitment to inclusivity extended beyond the garments. The brand’s promotional video featured a deaf person who provided descriptions in Mexican Sign Language. This video was prominently displayed in their pavilion at Intermoda, which was thoughtfully adapted to cater to individuals with various disabilities. The pavilion included transparent panels and Braille signage providing information about the brand and its clothing.
The designers aspire for other fashion companies to follow suit, integrating inclusive practices as part of a broader social and sustainable approach that today’s consumers increasingly demand.
“I think that starting with this stand (pavilion) we will see many other brands. Sustainability is not only about ecological material, (but) about the human sense, about understanding the value of people’s time and what is behind the label, (doing it) with ethics and responsibility,” Lau concluded.
The 81st edition of Intermoda, held from July 16 to 19 at Expo Guadalajara, gathered over 1,150 exhibiting brands and more than 24,000 buyers, spanning 49,000 square meters of exhibition space. This significant event underscores the evolving landscape of fashion, where inclusivity and sustainability are increasingly taking center stage.