In terms of rationale, we began this venture with the thought of Welo and his end-of-life struggle, always in the forefront of our minds.  Researching different clothing options for seniors led us to the conclusion that there really was not that much out there.  Many times, we discovered that what was available was not the quality we would have desired nor at the comfort level necessary for a relaxed feel.  It was actually quite shocking! Despite the claims of high quality, the fabrics we sourced for seniors consistently fell short of expectations. What was advertised as premium material turned out to be cheaply made, with a scratchy texture and an unpleasant hand feel that would be uncomfortable for anyone, let alone older adults. To our shock, these so-called "premium" fabrics were akin to the low-grade materials you'd find at Walmart or in second-hand stores, far from the luxurious standards they promised. Additionally, the fabrics were often surprisingly heavy, making them even less suitable for seniors who require lightweight and soft materials. This experience has highlighted the gap between marketing promises and actual product quality, especially in the fabrics tailored for the senior demographic. In our hearts and minds, we kept questioning why this was done. Why are companies giving the cheapest and must uncomfortable fabrics to those who need it most. After all their long years and work they have contributed to the world, why are we as a society not honoring them and giving back to them in a way they deserve? 

Pooling all our ideas together we came up with lists and more lists which would address the most important features we wanted to focus on. We wanted to make difficult to handle clothing elements like zippers, buttons and ties more manageable, especially for those with reduced hand strength and arthritis. And source premium top notch fabrics. Fabrics that are buttery and luxurious - the epitome of comfort. Ones that have a silky-smooth texture that glide effortlessly over the skin, offering a rich, indulgent feel. Fabrics that drape beautifully, stretch with your body, with a light, airy weight that seems to float, creating a sense of effortless grace. Fabrics where their softness is unmatched, with a plush, velvety touch that makes you want to wrap yourself in them. The quality we are after is immediately apparent and whether it's a finely woven cashmere, a sumptuous silk, or a high-thread-count cotton, buttery luxurious fabrics promise a tactile experience that's both soothing and sublime. This is what our elders deserve. This is the quality we are after. 

We found that the market was completely lacking in luxurious, high-quality options for seniors. Despite the growing demand, no one was offering clothing that truly catered to the unique needs of older adults while maintaining a standard of excellence. What we saw were garments that were either poorly made, uncomfortable, or simply didn’t reflect the dignity and style that seniors deserve. Our line is designed to fill this void by providing adaptive clothing that doesn’t just meet basic needs but does so with an emphasis on luxury, comfort, and sophistication. We believe that seniors should have access to clothing that is as refined and well-crafted as anything available to younger consumers, with the added benefit of thoughtful, adaptive features that make dressing easier and more enjoyable.

We’d like to focus on some key quotes of Welo’s, which will help us better describe the key features of the clothing we are in the process of developing. Welo frequently prefaced his questions or statements with, “Hey guys”. Here are a few of his  . . . “Hey guys,”  quotes.

“OK guys, is this gonna be easy or hard?”

”Hey guys, where are my comfy pants, you know the  soft maroon ones?”

“Guys, I’ve got this, I got this!”

“Wait, wait, hold me.   Am I going to fall?”

“Ok guys, I’m ready, how do I look?”

“Ok guys, I’m going to take a shower. Stay close by.”

First on the list was, “Is this going to be easy or hard?”  We knew then that clothing easy to put on or take off with little or no effort was a must.  That would include but not be limited to magnetic buttons, Velcro and wide band elastic.

Secondly,” Where is my comfy set of pants?” We needed to construct clothing that someone would really want to wear.  Clothing so comfortable that wearing it all day long would be easy, especially if we used breathable fabric.  In addition, those scratchy little hang tags which could be irritating, had to be eliminated or located in a place where they would not be a problem.

Thirdly, “ Guys, I got this I got this!”

We needed a design which would allow for easy access to braces, supports, medical hardware or sensitive areas.  A design that would meet the specific needs and privacy of everyone was paramount.

Fourthly,” Wait hold me, I don’t want to fall.”  This was a huge issue for Welo.  His fear of wearing shoes or socks which were slippery was a real concern. 

Comfortable anti-slip compression socks seemed like a great alternative which we needed to explore.

Fifthly, “Alright guys, how do I look?”  Seniors who need adaptive clothing want to look…well regular.  We wanted a design that looked attractive and stylish.  Hospital gown look alikes were not going to make the cut.  We had to envision dignified and attractive clothing.  From first -hand experience we knew that beautiful clothing in rich colors could greatly impact the self-esteem and quality of life for so many.

Lastly, at random times every other day or so, especially before Church services, Welo would announce, “It’s time for me to shower!  Stay close by.”   His caregivers were his children, who lovingly helped him with his daily hygiene.  It was mostly a laborious task.  None of his clothing had Velcro closures or open back designs which would have assisted greatly in reducing the effort spent on dressing and undressing.

As you can see beginning this clothing line has been thoughtful and practical.  We have crossed our fingers and forged ahead with our thoughtful and practical solutions which could have addressed the challenges faced by our Welo , and his children who cared for him. After all their years of hard work and contributions to society, why are we not honoring our seniors by offering them clothing that reflects their dignity and worth? This venture is our answer to that question, as we strive to create a clothing line that truly gives back to them in a way they deserve.