The Scar Free Foundation proud to support Inclusive Fashion Show for children

Friday 15 May 2026

On Saturday 13 June 2026, The Scar Free Foundation will be the proud charity partner of an Inclusive Fashion Show in partnership with Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity. This forward thinking adaptive fashion event will celebrate children and young people with scarring, disabilities, visible differences, and additional needs.

Hosted at The Pairc Hotel in King’s Heath, Birmingham, the event is organised by Carmen Burkett of Inclusive Fashion CIC. Now in its second year, the show highlights the importance of accessible clothing while creating an uplifting space where young people can express themselves with confidence.

The Scar Free Foundation will attend to raise awareness of scarring and adaptive fashion, connect with families, and celebrate the individuality and resilience of those taking part. For many children living with scarring, adaptive clothing can improve comfort and confidence while accommodating ongoing medical needs and treatments.

Buy your ticket today!

Carmen Burkett (right) has described the workshops and shows as for ‘absolutely everybody: the CIC aims to be as inclusive as possible’. Carmen and a volunteer are pictured above at an ICC Conference in April 2026.

The Inclusive Fashion Show initiative began when Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital Consultant Plastic and Hand Surgeon Andrea Jester approached fashion lecturer Carmen Burkett with an idea: could fashion students help design adaptive clothing for children with additional needs?

What started as a collaboration between healthcare and fashion has since grown into a wider community project centred around creativity, accessibility, and practical support.

Today, Inclusive Fashion CIC delivers free sewing classes, workshops, coffee mornings, and fashion events that help children, families, and carers adapt clothing to suit individual needs. From sensory-friendly fabrics and softer seams, to easier fastenings and discreet openings for medical items, these adjustments can make daily life far more manageable.

Andrea discusses the project on BBC Woman’s Hour

Andrea Jester (left), Consultant Plastic and Hand Surgeon at the Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital, approached fashion lecturer Carmen to explore adaptive fashion for children

Adaptive clothing can make a significant difference for people affected by scarring. Scar tissue may be painful, tight, sensitive, or easily irritated, while some children wear compression garments, dressings, or medical items beneath their clothing. Others experience reduced mobility or sensory sensitivities that make standard clothing uncomfortable or impractical.

Adaptive garments may include:

• Soft seams and sensory-friendly fabrics
• Adjustable waistbands and flexible fits
• Easy fastenings and hidden openings
• Access points for dressings, medical devices, or treatment areas

These features can greatly improve comfort, independence, and self-esteem.

Families involved in the project have spoken about the impact that limited access to affordable adaptive clothing can have, not only on comfort, but also on dignity and participation in everyday activities. Many parents have described the relief of being in spaces where they do not need to explain their child’s condition or justify why clothing adaptations are necessary.

The young people involved have not only worn the garments, but also helped design, customise, and adapt them through a series of workshops. These sessions provide opportunities to socialise, develop confidence, and express creativity, particularly for those who may have become withdrawn following injury, treatment, or experiences related to visible difference.

Many volunteers have been hard at work creating garments and finishing touches for the show!

The 2026 fashion show will continue that welcoming approach, bringing together young people with a wide range of lived experiences, including scarring.

Exhibitors are expected to include organisations supporting children affected by visible difference, disabilities, hair loss, skin conditions, and body differences, alongside adaptive fashion designers and community partners.

For The Scar Free Foundation, being part of the Inclusive Fashion Show is about more than raising awareness. It is about championing self-expression, accessibility, and practical solutions that help young people live well.

We can’t wait to support Inclusive Fashion CIC, Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, volunteers, clinicians, families, and, most importantly, the young people themselves in creating an event that celebrates creativity, support, and accessible clothing.

Buy your ticket today!

📸 All photos courtesy of Carmen Burkett, Inclusive Fashion CIC