The retailer teamed up with Paralympic athlete Chloe Ball-Hopkins for the new clothing

Inclusivity in fashion campaigns is a hot topic at the moment, and rightfully so. Brands are increasingly realising that there isn’t a one-size-fits all approach to body types and are finally shouting about it with the aid of snazzy campaigns and more inclusive collections. So, when ASOS quietly launched disabled-friendly clothes – without a flashy campaign, empowering hashtags or even a company statement – the internet pitched in to celebrate the brands silent success.  

The launch was announced by Paralympic athlete and BBC reporter Chloe Ball-Hopkins, who worked with the brand to create the clothing and also modelled it for the site.

Ball-Hopkins is currently training for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics after an injury stopped her competing in archery in Rio four years ago. She worked with ASOS to create the water-proof jumpsuit that’s wheelchair-friendly after a previous festival experience left her soaked.  

“My thinking was the zip round the waist to make it a top&bottom as well is easier to get in & out of, cuffed ankles to allow for shorter people (& easier for wellies) & top waterproof pocket for phone/medical stuff. The key is it's fashion that's accessible, not for disabled,” Chloe tweeted about the clothing.

“It’s about making fashion accessible! So what should be next?!”

Described on the website as “not just any jumpsuit”, the festival-ready clothing features a tie-dye design and has been adapted to be wheelchair-friendly. Features include a jacket and trousers that zip together, adjustable cuffs and a slightly longer hem at the back that won’t ride up. The jumpsuit is priced at £50.

One photo features an able-bodied model wearing the same outfit, demonstrating the clothing’s versatility for all body types.  

"You get the same version whether it's you or I buying it - that's the point,” Ball-Hopkins explained, speaking to the BBC. “It is exactly the same for me as it is for you."

While the jumpsuit is currently the only item of clothing on the site that’s been designed especially for people who use wheelchairs, Ball-Hopkins has hinted that more pieces could be on the way.

“It’s about making fashion accessible! So what should be next?!”

Many have taken to Twitter to praise ASOS for its new inclusive offering. 

ASOS’ move to offer wheelchair-friendly clothing is progressive, but it’s the silent launch that also makes the brand so significant in the movement for inclusivity. There was no flashy campaign, no exotic setting or catchy slogans about why diversity is so important. In a nutshell, there was no tokenism. No ‘doing this to make a point’. Ball-Hopkins modelled the clothing as any other ASOS model would – in a white studio. The clothing was subtly announced, because seeing a disabled person modelling alongside an able-bodied person shouldn’t be used for a one-off campaign – it should be commonplace.   

In its silence and simplicity ASOS gave a very clear message: ‘fashion for all’ should be the norm, not a trend.