In a press release this week, footwear company Sorel announced a collaboration with Zappos in which the Portland-based company is “expanding its universal styles on Zappos Adaptive.” Zappos Adaptive is described by Sorel as “[the Zappos website] curated shopping experience featuring functional and fashionable products to make life easier for all.”
The expanded collection is available now.
In the announcement, Sorel said it chose its “iconic” Out‘N About III Classic WP shoe to adapt to disabled people. Sorel and Zappos collaborated on the shoe’s design and features, as well as enlisting members of the disability to provide feedback on the product. The Out ’N About features an adjustable strap and an enlarged heel loop to make the shoe easier to put on and take off. Additionally, Sorel noted each design element—from straps and pull loops to stitching and collar height—was designed in such a way as to “strike the ultimate balance of function and style, tested in real-time by members of the disability community.” This real-time testing, Sorel added, played a pivotal role in ensuring the highest possible quality (and crucially, functionality) of the shoe.
“Sorel believes that thoughtful and impactful product design includes accessibility considerations, and looks forward to incorporating this partnership with Zappos into its larger brand truths,” the company said of its institutional ethos on the importance of accessible clothing in the press release. “The Sorel product development team acknowledged the Zappos Adaptive design process as a ‘game-changer’ for future seasons, allowing Sorel to identify and implement adaptive design across more styles. As the fashion industry as a whole works to better address the wants and needs of all consumers, Sorel will continue to evolve and create fashionable, functional footwear for all individuals.”
Dana Zumbo, business development manager at Zappos Adaptive, told me this week in an interview conducted over email accessibility is a “core focus” company-wide, one she said is close to its collective heart. Zumbo, who’s been with Zappos for 14 years (the last 7 of which focused on disability inclusion), described her role at the company as “ensuring our mission of providing functional and fashionable products to make life easier for all continues to be at the forefront. I collaborate and consult with our brand partners on developing and/or adapting products to be more inclusive of the disability community.” She noted the Out‘N About marks the second time Zappos and Sorel have worked together, telling me she looks forward to more opportunities to do so in the future.
Asked about what makes a good pair of adaptive shoes in terms of design and technology, Zumbo explained doing it right involves striking a balance between form and function. Everyone wants to look fashionable to some degree, but a nice-looking pair of shoes doesn’t do anything for a person if they can’t get them on their feet. According to Zumbo, adaptive footwear has many features that aid in getting shoes on and off; they include zippers, elastic laces, and bungee cords. These (analog) pieces of technology especially matter if the wearer has a device like a brace or prosthetic to accommodate. The shoes need to fit comfortably over these things, not to mention be easy to get on and off with a brace in place, for example. A person may need extended widths or removable insoles to get their shoes to fit, Zumbo said. “Our number one priority in the design process is connecting the brands directly with the disability community, and listening to their valuable feedback,” she said. “We do this through facilitating focus groups with our brand partners.”
Zumbo said it was back in 2014 when a customer service call caused Zappos to become aware of the “immense” need for clothing manufacturers to invest in adaptive clothing. Zappos Adaptive launched six years later, in 2017, which only increased consumer demand for adaptive clothing. “[The demand is] continual fuel towards our commitment to better serve the disability community,” Zumbo said. “It is our responsibility as fashion retailers to provide options so everyone has the opportunity to express themselves through fashion!”
Zumbo went on to say Zappos is “always open” to more feedback, saying they aren’t resting on their laurels, because, as with everything else pertaining to accessibility, “we know there is much more work to do.”
Looking towards the future, Zumbo said Zappos is committed to conducting ongoing research into adaptive clothing and education on the topic. Zappos is also pledging to keep engaging in regular conversations with people with disabilities and their families in order to gauge what certain needs and improvements exist. In the short-term, Zumbo noted the company is “looking forward” to participating in the Runway of Dream fashion show, happening at New York Fashion Week this fall.
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