Sophia's reflections on her experience with Open Style Lab:

 

While a variety of factors have interested me in accessible fashion design, the most significant factor was my late mother’s cancer diagnosis. Cancer is such a harrowing disease for any human being’s physical, spiritual, and emotional being. It saddened me to see my mom not feeling like herself, and I saw how she felt limited in style options due to her changing body and desire to be comfortable. While some view clothes simply as physical objects for human protection and comfort, as a designer, I feel they have the power to promote a person’s confidence and dignity. Now, how can we make these physical transmitters of such powerful values accessible to all people? Fast forward to Open Style Lab.

​

The year of 2024 I became a New Yorker and had my first opportunity to apply to the OSL summer program. Fortunately, I was accepted! My excitement could hardly be contained until the start of the program in June. When we made it to our first in-person Saturday meeting, sparks were flying as I was enveloped in the vibrancy of the 2024 OSL cohort, the riveting discussions about disability and inclusive footwear, and the creatively charged environment of NewLab.

When I met Sam for the first time, I remember 1) his thoughtful communication style and 2) his passion for high top sneakers. This man knew what he liked and would wear what felt truest to him, even if it meant putting a prescribed medical device—his ankle-foot orthotic– to the wayside. (Side note to the doctors at Columbia University– I am to blame for withholding Sam’s AFO from him for much of summer 2024. It was for a good reason.) Seeing Sam’s passion for high tops and the difficult donning process he currently undertakes to wear the shoes he likes, a flame started to burn within me. High tops spoke to this lifelong New Yorker’s passion for music and culture. They made him feel like he belonged. However, the status quo of neglecting his AFO was unsustainable. Additionally, spending five sweaty, curse-word-filled minutes wrestling a shoe and AFO (with one hand) was plainly tiring and uncomfortable. These topics became the focus of Team Sam’s summer.

 

Whether we were 3D scanning feet, learning about Sam’s various roles, testing magnets, or enhancing the powers of my humble home sewing machine to become a leather dominator, everyday brought new learnings. It was the most I had stretched myself for a non-work related project in a long time, and while it was challenging, it was also refreshing. As a designer who is used to getting styles passed to me with little room to question the style’s accessibility, it was invigorating to co-design with Sam and our occupational therapist teammate, Christine.

 

On our final Saturday of the program, I gave Sam the final prototype to try on. He slipped his AFO in, then his foot, slapped the magnets closed, then strapped down the eyelet stay. This time, there was no sweat and only joyful curse-words. Seeing our hard work come together at that moment was so worth it, and it made me reflect on what could be possible for the future of inclusive design if more time, resources, and interdisciplinary experts came together. Advocating for human rights and dignity can take many forms and sometimes, it can even be the form of a high-top. Thanks Open Style Lab for showing what style can do to improve lives.