Victoria Jenkins

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Victoria Jenkins is a British adaptive fashion designer and disability activist. She is the founder of the adaptive fashion range Unhidden.

Contents

Biography

Jenkins studied at the London College of Fashion, graduating in 2008. [1] She worked in the fashion industry as a garment technologist for clothing brands including AllSaints, Jack Wills, Primark, Tesco and Victoria Beckham. [2] [3] [4] Jenkins became a disability activist after undergoing surgery for a burst stomach ulcer in 2012 and living with chronic pain. [5] [6]

Jenkins founded the brand Unhidden, an adaptive fashion range for people with disabilities in 2016. [2] [7] The brand uses deadstock fabrics and has adaptive features such as elasticated waistbands and hidden access zips. [3] When Jenkins sought investment on Dragon's Den , she was rejected for investment. [8]

In 2021, Jenkins published The Little Book of Ableism, described as resource and guide for the 15% of people who live with a disabilty. [9]

In 2023, Unhidden became the first adaptive fashion range to show at London Fashion Week. [10] [11] [12] It is also the first adaptive brand to become a member of the British Fashion Council (BFC). [1] [7] Also in 2023, Jenkins launched a capsule collection with Lucy & Yak. [2]

In 2024, she collaborated with Primark for an affordable adaptive fashion range. [13] [14] [15] She has also worked with disability activist Shani Dhanda to expand her collection. [16]

In 2025, Jenkins was a guest judge during week six of the BBC television sewing competition The Great British Sewing Bee. [5] She is a judge for the Victoria & Albert's (V&A) National School Challenge. [12]

She is an ambassador for Purple Tuesday and Models of Diversity. [17]

References

  1. 1 2 "VICTORIA JENKINS: THE DESIGNER PAVING THE WAY FOR ADAPTIVE FASHION". London Runway. 15 April 2022. Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 Walder, Claudia Rose (22 September 2023). "Meet Unhidden, the fashion brand changing the game for people with disabilities". The Guardian . ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  3. 1 2 Moss, Rachel (15 April 2021). "This 'Pyjama-Free' Adaptive Fashion Line Has Designer Ambition". HuffPost UK . Archived from the original on 23 January 2025. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  4. ↑ "'Fashion has a duty to represent': The designer on a mission to make style accessible for everyone". The Independent . 8 July 2025. Archived from the original on 8 July 2025. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  5. 1 2 Burt, Phoebe (20 August 2025). "10 facts about Sewing Bee guest judge Victoria Jenkins!". Gathered. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  6. ↑ Owen, Lara (16 July 2025). "The designer on a mission to make style accessible for everyone". Great British Life. Archived from the original on 31 July 2025. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  7. 1 2 Cat-Wells, Keely (16 May 2023). "10 Disabled Founded Businesses To Support". Forbes . Archived from the original on 23 May 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  8. ↑ Snowden, Tiger-Lily (4 February 2025). "The Adaptive Fashion Revolution is Coming". Shout Out UK (SOUK). Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  9. ↑ "The Little Book of Ableism". Amazon.com.au. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  10. ↑ Salah, Shayma (17 February 2023). "Unhidden plans breakthrough moment for adaptive fashion at LFW". Vogue Business. Archived from the original on 11 May 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  11. ↑ Bradley, Samuel (22 August 2023). "The Vogue 25: Discover The Powerhouse Women Who Made This Year's Line-Up". British Vogue . Archived from the original on 23 August 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  12. 1 2 "Unhidden". London Fashion Week . Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  13. ↑ "Primark partners with Victoria Jenkins to bring adaptive fashion to the high street". Primark. 22 July 2024. Archived from the original on 9 February 2025. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  14. ↑ Wright, Georgia (21 January 2025). "Primark expands adaptive clothing range with Victoria Jenkins". Retail Gazette. Archived from the original on 26 April 2025. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  15. ↑ Wightman-Stone, Danielle (22 July 2024). "Primark teams up with Victoria Jenkins to make adaptive fashion affordable". FashionUnited. Archived from the original on 3 August 2025. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  16. ↑ Dhanda, Shani (21 June 2023). "The fashion world still isn't designed for disabled women like me". Glamour UK . Archived from the original on 21 June 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  17. ↑ Goodwin-Grafton, Lauren (3 December 2023). "OK! chats to 'Unhidden' – the fashion brand breaking down disability barriers". OK! Magazine. Archived from the original on 23 January 2025. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
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