Independence, Confidence, and Style — A New Adaptive Apparel Company Has Launched in RI
Sunday, April 28, 2024
A new “adaptive” apparel company has launched in Rhode Island — with the goal of helping people live their lives with “independence, confidence, and style.”
Fasten Adaptive Apparel is the brainchild of Tony Paolo of Cranston, who has an extensive background in children's products.
The premium men's dress shirt — the "Fasten Launch Shirt" — is designed to serve individuals of any age with movement, fine motor, neurologic, and dexterity challenges, with discreet Velcro closures.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAccording to Paolo, the shirt is about simplifying the dressing process without compromising on style or quality, with the trademarked term "GRIP. PRESS. DRESS."
It was an older family member however that prompted him to shift gears — and help folks who might need assistance with a dress shirt — to start.
Family and Friends Affair
"My Uncle Tom is in the video," Paolo told GoLocal, of featuring the man who is the inspiration for the shirt — and the company — in his promotion. (You can see the video below).
"He called me and said Anthony, we need to do something, I can’t button my shirts," said Paolo. "He has arthritis and his fine motor skills are challenged, things you don’t realize if it doesn’t affect you."
"He thought magnets, which for kids are a no-no — so we said how about velcro," said Paolo. "I took his shirts to my tailor Joe to sew the velcro, and it worked out really well.
Then it was time to test out the product with others.
"A neighbor and another friend in their 80s tried them on, and they loved it," said Paolo. "The shirt is really nice looking — I wore it for the photo shoot."
And Paolo tapped Sarah Graumann to help with marketing, who he plans on working with as the company expands beyond its initial shirt design.
"The adaptive clothing market has blown up — we’re not unique," said Graumann. "If you go on TikTok, you’ll see young people talking about adaptive clothing, and clothes more unusual than ours."
"We’re marketing this as a premium shirt," said Graumann.
And as they get the company off the ground, Paolo and Graumann hope they can tap local support to start.
"Rhode Islanders always like the Rhode Island connection," said Graumann.
"It’s exciting — it's a business, but I kind of see this as we’re serving people," said Graumann. "It's something for people to feel confident with personal style."
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