Earlier this spring, on April 10th, SPARKIES founder Alina Kuderska was invited to Duke University to speak with students about the future of adaptive and accessible fashion design.
The visit followed Duke’s Adaptive Fashion Runway Show, where SPARKIES proudly showcased its innovative adaptive garments. One highlight of the show was a model wearing SPARKIES’ signature multi-color pants with full side-seam openings — a wheelchair-friendly design created for comfort, functionality, and ease of use.
During her campus visit, Alina spoke with design and business students about what it means to create fashion with purpose. Drawing on her own experience launching SPARKIES — a brand dedicated to designing inclusive, solution-oriented clothing — she emphasized the need for garments that not only look good, but also support people in their everyday routines.
The discussion touched on everything from design inspiration and accessibility challenges, to business strategy and intellectual property in the adaptive fashion space. The students’ thoughtful questions and enthusiasm for inclusive design made it an incredibly energizing and meaningful conversation.
“It’s crucial to engage with the next generation of creators and innovators,” said Alina after the event. “Their perspectives and ideas will help shape a more inclusive future for the industry.”
SPARKIES is deeply grateful to Duke University for the opportunity to participate in this important dialogue and to celebrate the voices, needs, and creativity of people with disabilities in the fashion space.
Stay tuned — more exciting conversations and collaborations are on the horizon. 💜
