According to 2024 statistics, Vietnam has more than 7 million people with disabilities, accounting for about 7% of the population. However, this group has long been almost forgotten in the popular fashion market.
Lacking appropriate clothing, space for expression, and even career opportunities, people with disabilities suffer disadvantages in an area that is associated with personal expression and social aesthetics.
The recent emergence of fashion shows dedicated to people with disabilities has marked a humane step forward, contributing to affirming the rights of people with disabilities and calling for public attention.
One example is Vietnam Disability Fashion Show 2025 (VDFS 2025), a fashion show for people with disabilities in Vietnam that has just been officially launched, organized by HGI Group in collaboration with the Hanoi Association of People with Disabilities and the Center for Vocational Education and Capacity Development for People with Disabilities in Vietnam.
The organizers of VDFS 2025 hope that this is not just a one-time show, but also a model of sustainable development through the "Kind Fashion Closet" project launched nationwide.
The project includes three components: building wardrobes at vocational training centers, disabled people's associations and schools; collecting and recycling excess fabric from garment factories and businesses; inviting designers and the community to create clothes suitable for the physical condition and wishes of disabled people.
Right at the launch, a performance by a group of disabled models conquered the entire audience, when people with special circumstances confidently moved on the catwalk in outfits designed specifically for them or ones they contributed ideas to, sending a clear message about the ability to integrate.
Ms. Le Thi Dien (Tung Thien ward, Hanoi ), shared: "I never dared to think that I could wear a custom-designed costume and perform on stage with a wheelchair. The program has helped me and many disabled people gain more confidence and motivation to continue pursuing what we love and live a useful life."
For the first time, there is a professional, systematic fashion event dedicated to people with disabilities, not only in the role of models but also in design, directing, photography and backstage.
The event will officially take place on August 4 at the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum with the participation of 54 models - symbolizing the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam.
According to designer Ngo Diem Huong, the program's founder, the theme "Shape of Will" promotes diversity and equality in cultural and artistic activities.
Previously, in Ho Chi Minh City, the “Fashion Bank” program and the “Hope Fashion” project implemented by organizations supporting people with disabilities and orphans and a number of social enterprises in Ho Chi Minh City since 2024 also received many positive responses. Hundreds of specialized costumes were designed, recycled and donated to people with disabilities in difficult circumstances.
Nguyen Chau Phuong, a fashion design student at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technical Education, is one of the young people with a fresh mindset and passion for the field of fashion for people with disabilities - also known as "adaptive fashion".
Chau Phuong’s graduation collection for women with disabilities was inspired by the beauty of the moon with a minimalist style. “Everyone has the right to express themselves through clothing. Disability is just a form of body diversity,” the young designer affirmed.
In addition to the catwalks, many people with disabilities are gradually participating more deeply in the fashion supply chain. From design, photography to backstage management, they are trained in skills combined with support tools such as screen reading software, semi-automatic sewing machines, etc. to help shorten the gap with professional careers.
Designer Pham Tran Thu Hang (Hanoi), founder of the fashion brand The Mad Lab, said that her latest collection was handled by a group of deaf employees who took on many important steps, from design to completion. According to Thu Hang, deaf people have advantages in observation, color coordination and especially patience - important factors in the creative profession.
Another typical model is the Vun Art Cooperative (Hanoi), founded by Mr. Le Viet Cuong, a person with a physical disability, in 2018. Starting with 5 members, by 2025, Vun Art had 30-40 workers regularly working in the workshop, producing items such as fabric paintings, handbags, and fashion clothes.
The products are not only beautiful and sophisticated but also have 4-star OCOP certification, officially distributed on many commercial channels and are highly appreciated by consumers.
Mr. Le Viet Cuong said that Vun Art's training model is built step by step, suitable for each person's ability. From sketching, cutting and pasting to completing the product, people with disabilities are guided to be able to live independently and have a stable income.
According to designer Ngo Diem Huong, instead of considering fashion for people with disabilities as a charity activity, it is necessary to identify this as a real market segment: there is demand, there are users, there is labor, there is creativity.
Sharing the same view, Mr. Pham Van Thanh, Chairman of the Vietnam Disabled Youth Association emphasized: “We do not want to be a burden. We want to live a useful life, have a career, a livelihood, and be in control of our lives.”
However, it is undeniable that major barriers still exist: Lack of formal training programs, lack of support for businesses producing specialized clothing lines, and social prejudices against people with disabilities in the field of aesthetics still exist.
Many big fashion brands are not ready to associate their brand with this special customer group because they are worried about affecting their commercial image. Meanwhile, most disabled people are still afraid and not used to expressing themselves because they have been hurt by pitiful looks.
Therefore, in addition to creating a playground, it is more necessary to communicate consistently to change the perspective of the whole society. Promoting fashion for people with disabilities in a professional and in-depth direction will require time and inter-sectoral coordination. Some solutions that need to be synchronous and long-term include: Developing a flexible vocational training system for each type of disability; encouraging businesses to invest in specialized products; building a sustainable production and consumption network; and shifting communication from assistance to empowerment.
According to Vice President of the Hanoi Association of the Disabled Pham Thanh Huong, the Association has officially signed a cooperation agreement with the Organizing Committee of VDFS Show 2025, with specific roles of connecting members with artistic, design, and performance abilities to participate in fashion and art activities; contributing professional opinions on the process of access and integration; and mobilizing social resources.
Fashion by and for people with disabilities is still new in Vietnam, but initial steps such as VDFS 2025, "Hope Fashion" or Vun Art have shown positive signs.
Behind a well-fitting shirt is a story of empathy in design. Behind the spotlight is a journey of overcoming inferiority complex to affirm self-worth.
Fashion is not only a symbol of honoring the beauty, talent and will of people with disabilities, but can also give them sustainable livelihoods.
Source: https://nhandan.vn/huong-di-moi-cho-nganh-cong-nghiep-sang-tao-post898422.html
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