About
I am an adaptive apparel design researcher with a background in garment technical design, athletic wear, fashion practice, and disability studies, available for research collaborations and consultation. My work relies on a participatory approach to examine multifaceted apparel needs and innovative solutions based on lived experiences and multidisciplinary stakeholder engagement. As a disabled design researcher with several years of experience in this field, I have a passion for generating informed results and applied frameworks for a positive real-world impact.
Having a choice in clothing that supports one's needs in all areas of life can greatly benefit individual well-being and a sense of belonging. My specialist area of adaptive and inclusive athletic wear design research serves to enhance broader opportunities in sports participation and self-representation. In this area of research, I apply needs exploration and design ideation with various stakeholders, consumers, and multidisciplinary experts. By looking comprehensively at the sportswear inclusion ecosystem, results are informed by users, coaches, and product designers alike for meaningful, practical outputs.
Research Work
Lectures and Workshops
While the last decade or so has seen an increase in adaptive fashion in the marketplace, along with a growing number of adaptive apparel research studies, there is an opportunity for much more in this emerging sector.
Lectures, workshops, and training sessions are available for researchers, practitioners, and brand leaders. These can cover:
-
Adaptive and inclusive apparel principles.
-
Participatory research and design for adaptive apparel development.
-
Inclusive and disability-focused design philosophies and methods.
-
Requirements and collaboration routes for adaptive and inclusive sportswear.
Adaptive Apparel or Sportswear Applied Research
I am available for design and contextual research planning, guidance, and delivery.
Consultation or practice-informed research direction can be provided for:
-
Design thinking for mapping complex functional apparel considerations.
-
Multimethod user research with consumers and disability communities.
-
User needs assessments and solutions ideation.
-
Technical garment illustration that integrates multistakeholder input.
Research Collaboration
I am eager to connect with interdisciplinary researchers to further examine the intersections of apparel innovation, design practice, disability studies, and psychosocial factors.
Areas of interest and expertise include:
-
Research framing and project planning.
-
Community and multidisciplinary stakeholder outreach, along with ethical research practice.
-
Interview or workshop data collection and thematic analysis.
-
Data visualisation and research results dissemination.
Background and Philosophy
After studying fashion at the Parsons School of Design, I spent several years working as a garment technical designer for the adidas group, focusing on men's and women's training, performance, and fan apparel for adidas and Reebok. Relocating overseas, I completed an MA and PhD in fashion design management and adaptive apparel practice at the London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London. Currently living outside of London, I have worked with collaborators across the United Kingdom and the United States to advance apparel inclusion knowledge and innovation.
Integral to my approach are practice-informed, human-centred design, and disability studies underpinnings, which serve to balance user-led needs with apparel design and development. For much of my work, a participatory design framework and the social model of disability have been applied to examine garment needs and solutions from experiential perspectives. Engagement with essential stakeholders, such as garment designers, assistive technology developers, and adaptive sports coaches, is also vital for ensuring the results are comprehensive and applicable. Research ethics that prioritise participant comfort, flexibility in involvement, and researcher reflexivity go a long way in supporting informed, impactful, and careful research outcomes.
There is both a timely need and an opportunity to advance this field of research and practice. Growing this critical area takes ongoing collaboration and thought leadership. I am grateful to have met and worked with researchers, designers, and experts from a range of backgrounds -- new product development, adaptive apparel research, fashion psychology and cultural studies, inclusive and accessible design, and adaptive sports -- to explore the nuanced needs for apparel inclusion. If you would like to schedule a consultation or discuss the possibility of working together, it would be great to hear from you!
Qualifications
Please visit LinkedIn: JennPoage for more details.
PhD Disability-informed Athletic Wear Design, London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London, London, UK, 2017-2023
MA Fashion Design Management, London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London, London, UK, 2015-2016, Graduated with Distinction
AAS Fashion Studies, Parsons School of Design, The New School, New York, NY, USA, 2005, Graduated with Honours
BA Art History, Drew University, Madison, NJ, USA, 1997-2001, Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, National Math Honours Society, Honours in Art History for Senior Thesis
Experience:
Independent Researcher, Hertfordshire, UK, 2023-present
-
Author of research articles: user needs assessment for adaptive athletic wear (published), ecosystem mapping for multifaceted adaptive athletic wear design (submitted), and an interdisciplinary integrative review to inform adaptive and inclusive athletic wear practice (in preparation)
-
Lead author of a chapter examining the intersections of user-centred design, disability-related needs, fashion, and psychological well-being
-
Co-conducted an integrative review synthesising clothing inclusion research across garment technology, co-creation for adaptive apparel, psychology, and embodied dress theory
-
Deliver conference presentations and guest lectures on adaptive apparel research and design
-
Peer-review for Fashion Practice journal
-
Provide research support: mentoring session for an MA student's disability-centred thesis (University of the Arts London) and an expert interview for an adaptive apparel PhD study (University of Leeds)
PhD Researcher, London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London, London, UK, 2017-2023
-
Developed and conducted an original research project that aimed to build a toolkit for adaptive and inclusive sportswear industry design
-
Implemented a qualitative, practice-informed, iterative, participatory design research approach
-
Employed the social model of disability as a lens to examine barriers to adaptive sportswear
-
Engaged stakeholders to explore comprehensive sportswear needs and to ideate solutions
-
Conducted multimethod primary research: virtual semi-structured interviews and ideation workshops, thematic analyses, data visualisations, toolkit prototyping, and critical feedback sessions
-
Generated design strategies and a disability-centred framework for commercial sportswear inclusion
Independent Writer, Cambridge, MA, USA, 2014-2015
-
Conducted expert interviews and co-authored content for the book Flair: Design your daily work, products, and services to energize customers, colleagues, and audiences
-
Presented design processes and theory for a business audience
Athletic Wear Technical Designer, adidas Group, Canton, MA, USA, 2007-2013
-
Translated conceptual garment designs into technical flat sketches with construction and logo detailing
-
Advised on construction, logo application, trim selection, and cutline placement for fan apparel, performance wear, and team uniforms for pro-sport leagues: NFL, NHL, NBA, WNBA, NCAA
-
Researched and outlined new technologies, materials, and techniques for performance garment innovation
-
Advised on garment construction during fit sessions and revised tech packs to reflect changes
-
Played an integral role in revising the process of preparing complex logo artwork for production by defining team member contributions and adding checkpoints for error and cost reductions
-
Trained and mentored new hires and guided designers on internal processes and calendar deadlines
Design Assistant, Briggs NY, Brighton, MA, USA, 2006
Office Manager, Lyons/Zaremba Inc. Exhibit Planning and Design, Boston, MA, USA, 2002-2004
Publications
Poage, J., Khadaroo, A. & Kapsali, V. (2026) ‘Disability and Fashion Inclusion: Exploring Barriers, Needs, and Practice in Relation to the Self and Well-being‘, In Çili, S., Bardey, A., & Khadaroo, A. (Eds.) Applied Psychology in Fashion: A Research-Informed Approach (pp. 93-115). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-12271-1_4.
Kealy-Morris, E., & Poage, J. (2025). Body Dressing Work: A narrative review of the use of apparel as camouflage by people with disabilities to enable belonging and inclusion. International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings, 81(1). https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.18502.
Poage, J. (2025). Athletic Wear Design and Disability: Exploring Needs and Values of Consumers with a Self-Described Upper Limb Impairment or Difference. Fashion Practice, 17(3), 361–384. https://doi.org/10.1080/17569370.2025.2515865
Brown, E. L., Cili, S., Cornell, N., Dewey, C., Gooding, J., Kealy-Morris, E., ... & Poage, J. (2024). In Conversation: Fashioning Inclusivity: integrating style, fit and adaptability. Fashion, Style and Popular Culture, 11(1), 153-154.
Poage, J. (2022). Developing a toolkit for disability inclusion in sportswear design practice: Focusing on consumers with an upper limb impairment or difference (Publication No. 20670) [Doctoral dissertation, University of the Arts London]. UAL Research Online. ps://ualresearchonline.arts.ac.uk/id/eprint/20670
Poage, J., Kapsali, V., & Bardey, A. (2020). An inclusive approach to sportswear (athletic wear) for people with upper limb impairments. Proceedings of the 22nd dmi: Academic design management conference: Impact the future by design (pp. 388-400). Design Management Institute.
Conferences and Guest Lectures:
Developing a Toolkit for Disability Inclusion in Sportswear Design Practice. [Guest lecture]. Open Style Lab Summer Program, July 2025. Open Style Lab, London, UK.
Exploring Needs and Values for Athletic Wear Inclusion: Focusing on Consumers with a Self-Described Upper Limb Impairment or Difference. [Conference presentation]. Applied Psychology in Fashion Conference, April 2024. University of the Arts London, Virtual.
A Participatory Design Approach to Sportswear for People with Upper Limb Impairment. [Guest lecture]. MA Fashion Futures course, 2020. University of the Arts London, Virtual.
Applying Collaborative Practices to Design Sportswear for People with Upper Limb Impairment. [Conference presentation]. Fashioning Inclusivity Symposium. 2019. University of the Arts London, London, UK.
Disability Studies within the Fashion Industry. [Guest lecture]. BA Fashion Psychology course, year 2. 2018. University of the Arts London, London, UK.
Integrating Design Process and Biomechanics for Functional Apparel. Disability Innovation Summit. [Conference presentation]. July 13-14, 2017. Global Disability Innovation Hub, London, UK.
Contact
Please fill out the inquiry form, and I will get back to you shortly.
You can also reach me via
Email: jp@jenniferpoage.com, or
LinkedIn: JennPoage