Adaptive clothing brand out to shake up parliament

 

TASMANIA: Errine Adaptive Clothing is setting out to change a parliamentary bill to lift the goods and services tax on disability clothing in Australia.

Director Jane Thomasson, a nurse, said she has approached the office of the federal disability services minister with the request and is expecting to hear a result shortly.

“I applied to the tax department for a private ruling to have it GST- free,” she said. “They came back and said we can’t because it is subject to import duties. [I said] how do I change that? It’s got to go to parliament, so that is what I have done.”

Thomasson launched the label in 2010 with a selection of apparel items for senior citizens. They are designed for those who have difficulty dressing due to physical ailments or illness such as dementia.

"One thing people don't want to advertise is that they have a disability and the clothing is very discreet and all the garments are designed to mimic regular clothing," she said.

For women and men, shirts and nightwear with button-up backs and comfort-it trousers are part of the initial range.

"There are other details in the garments too, such as the position of the closures, so that they don't cause pressure sores," she said.

The clothes are currently manufactured in China, but Thomasson said she is seeking a suitable maker onshore. Prices start at $29.95, with cotton and polyester options available. They are designed to withstand commercial washing facilities in hospitals or nursing homes.

"The plans are to expand on the current seniors range,” she said. “Eventually I'd like to move into designing a [fashionable] label for younger people and also wheelchair-specific clothing. At the moment people are opting for oversized baggy clothes because they are easier to get on and they are more comfortable."

The range is sold online, but Thomasson is seeking national distributors to help expand operations.

"I'd like to establish retail outlets and eventually I'd love to look at franchising the business," she said.

Melinda Oliver