Preston College learner, Ava, makes major fashion breakthrough with George at ASDA.

Preston College’s Access Foundation Learning Art Design and Media learner, Ava, makes major fashion breakthrough with George at ASDA.

In a supermarket first, 16 year-old award-winning deaf and blind artist Ava Joliffe has helped develop a 24-piece kidswear collection which comprises of trend-led items, created to suit particular needs.

Ava, who studies at Preston College from Sir Tom Finney School, has been working with supermarket fashion brand George at ASDA to help launch its adapted clothing range, designed specifically to support self-dressing for young people and children with disabilities.

Vicki Radford, George’s buying manager says: “It was really important to Ava that we designed our adapted collection in line with the main kidswear range, so children with disabilities can wear the same as their friends… and it was really important to us that these pieces remain competitively priced and affordable to all our customers.”

The collection, which is available online and in ASDA stores across the UK, was designed with the help of Ava, who assisted on the range’s accessibility and design. She was able to bring an insight into the adaptations needed to ensure products were practical for young disabled people, whilst ensuring the collection was in line with the mainline kidswear range.

Laura Fenton, Quality Practitioner at Preston College for Visual Performing Arts and Digital says: “We are absolutely blown away by what Ava has achieved. She is just inspirational, as are all the staff who work with her. Ava is only 16 years of age and to be working in collaboration with one the UK’s big four supermarkets to adapt their clothing range in a supermarket-first is incredible!”

The collection, which has been created for age ranges 3-16 years, has been made with both functionality and affordability in mind, but most importantly to follow fashion. Clothing has been adapted to work around feeding tubes, for example, and all waistbands have been designed to be super-soft and comfortable for the wearer, while hidden hook and loop fasteners on necklines make slipping sweatshirts and tees on and off more comfortable.

Laura adds: “The level of detail that Ava has developed for this collection is admirable. The clothing has been well thought out but also follows fashion! Well Done Ava – we are all super proud of you.”

Preston College would like to extend our congratulations to you, Ava – we can’t wait to see what the future holds for you!