Advancing Adaptive Fashion in Canada: A Shared Conversation

Presented by Kite Creates (KITE), Fabric Based Research Platform (FIBRE), and Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU)

Adaptive fashion is rapidly emerging as a critical frontier in inclusive design—shaping how we understand dignity, independence, and everyday living for people with disabilities, chronic illness, and age-related changes. Yet across Canada, the field remains fragmented, with limited opportunities for designers, researchers, educators, industry leaders, and individuals with lived experience to collaborate.

This inaugural event marks the launch of the Adaptive Fashion Alliance, Canada (afac), a new initiative seeded by Kite Creates and the Fabric Based Research Platform (FIBRE), dedicated to building a national organization that unites and coordinates the many voices shaping the future of adaptive fashion.

Join us for an afternoon of thought leadership, dialogue, and community building. The event will open with a keynote address, followed by a dynamic panel discussion moderated by Caron Bitter‑Phinney, Assistant Professor of Design, Technology, and Diversity at the School of Fashion, Toronto Metropolitan University. Our panel brings together voices from academia, retail, fashion design, start‑up innovation, and individuals with lived experience—spotlighting the diverse expertise needed to transform Canada’s adaptive fashion landscape.

There will be dedicated time for networking before the event starts and after the panel discussion with Tea, Coffee, and light snacks provided. Doors open at 2pm, event will start promptly at 2:30pm.

Accessibility:

The second-floor auditorium is a single level room and is fully accessible by a large elevator, near to 550 University and Elm Street entrances. If you have any concerns, please email the event organizer. This event will be hybrid. If you prefer to join online, a livestream link will be emailed to you two hours before the event starts, directly from Eventbrite. All attendee's to the event inperson or virtual must sign up through Eventbrite.



About the Adaptive Fashion Alliance, Canada (afac)

The vision of the Alliance is to serve as a national secretariat that unites, coordinates, and empowers organizations and communities advancing adaptive fashion across Canada. As a collaborative organisation, the Alliance supports a future where adaptive fashion is recognized, accessible, and integrated into everyday life—removing barriers to functional, stylish clothing for all.

The mission of the Alliance is to facilitate, advocate, and steward collective action by providing trusted coordination, governance, and knowledge exchange. Our goal: to accelerate the development and adoption of adaptive fashion solutions grounded in lived experience, research evidence, and inclusive innovation.

This event is the first under the Adaptive Fashion Alliance, Canada banner and serves as the kickoff to a broader Adaptive Fashion Symposium taking place in the summer 2026, co-presented by KITE and TMU.

About Kite (UHN):

The University Health Network’s KITE Research Institute is redefining what’s possible in injury prevention, rehabilitation research, aging and accessibility. As part of UHN, Canada's top research hospital, KITE combines groundbreaking science with real‑world impact to transform care, improve quality of life and support independent living. KITE is part of the World Health Organization's new Disability Health Equity Network, and it was named to the inaugural Forbes in its Accessibility 100 list in 2025.

Who Should Attend:

Designers and fashion practitioners / Researchers and academics / Healthcare professionals / Start‑ups / Adaptive fashion brands / Retailers and buyers / Disability advocates / Community organizations / Students / Emerging innovators / Anyone passionate about inclusive design

Why Attend?

Be part of the first national collaborative initiative dedicated to adaptive fashion.
Learn from experts across sectors shaping the future of accessible clothing.
Engage in cross-disciplinary conversations that drive innovation.
Connect with partners and communities championing lived-experience–driven design.
Help build the foundation for a coordinated, national movement.