It's not unusual to find banks, bookstores and coffee shops on a university campus, but what about a tailor? Patrick Hui and Frency Ng, both Polytechnic University clothing technology researchers, teach at the Institute of Textiles and Clothing (ITC), but also run a loss-making business at the school's Troels Povlsen Care Apparel Centre. In 2007, the duo founded the centre to make "caring" clothes for the elderly and disabled, becoming the first such initiative in Asia. One of its most popular garments is the "wheelchair raincoat", which extends over the legs. "Nursing homes have plenty of blankets donated, but can barely provide suitable clothing for the handicapped and elderly," says Ng, the centre's director. "Often, they just sit in the wheelchair with a blanket draped over their shoulders. Some can't even put on pants because of their physical limitations." Ng recalls a wheelchair-bound man in his 20s who told her he could only wear loose-fitting pyjamas or tracksuit pants, but wanted to wear jeans. "I don't think anyone should have to compromise their fashion sense just because they are old or disabled," Ng says. "They should still care about dressing in style and comfort. It could restore their confidence and dignity." The centre produces a full range of clothing for those with special needs, including custom-tailored shirts and jackets that open at the back or side for those with limited arm movement; open-backed pants for people with leg problems; pants with multiple sides or inner pockets for concealing catheters; and anti-slip socks. "We want to make clothes that are easy to slip on. Even if you have a private nurse, you'd feel uncomfortable spending 15 minutes putting on a shirt and pants," Ng says. "I never thought clothes could help people so much. Many people with special needs don't know where to buy such clothes, and will just make a cut in a shirt here and there." For heart patients who have a pacemaker beneath the skin, the centre sews a custom-made pocket into the shirt to hold in place the shield that protects the pacemaker, since a disoriented patient tends to frequently tap the pacemaker, causing it to malfunction. And for people with hip fractures, impact-absorbing pads are embedded in the underwear. Ng says it is can be difficult to find these types of clothes on the market. Because of the wide range of disabilities that are catered to, mass-production of such garments is unprofitable. But the centre, which employs two disabled sewing technicians, can produce each item to order. As the centre is open to the public, a customer with special needs can walk in and order a custom-designed garment. Customers are charged the minimum wage rate - for example, HK$150 a garment for five hours of labour. "We even waive half the cost for those who cannot afford it," Hui says. "Besides relying on private funding, we're grateful that the university has provided the premises for us so we can save on the rent and utilities." Ng and Hui have also led student and alumni volunteers of the ITC in distributing "caring garments" to centres for the elderly, and organise activities such as the annual Youreable Fashion Design contest for the elderly and handicapped. Troels Povlsen Care Apparel Centre, Room HJ211, Podium Floor, Polytechnic University; tel: 34003369; itc.polyu.edu.hk/cac
