“What would an organisation with inclusive work practices look like?”

For centuries, workplaces have been designed for able-bodied people. Because of long-standing physical and social barriers, organisations often fail to make adequate accommodations for people with special needs. Through my time with Mustard Tree, I learnt what it means to build a workplace with love.

People come to us with customisation requests for many different reasons. However, this is the first time someone approached us because we can take him one step closer to the love life he dreams of!

Clothing in shades of pink and purple with lace trims are staples of Vivian's wardrobe, likely influenced by her love for Barbie. While many of these clothes are pretty, there is but one problem – more often than not, Vivian is not able to wear them.

We first met Chrislyn in October last year. Well, we met Chrislyn, her mother and grandmother while Chrislyn met Elisa, the Gachapon machine behind her, and every colourful nook and cranny in the room that caught her attention.

Imagine being caught in a tug-of-war every time you try to get dressed. That was Yeye’s life after his first stroke attack in November last year. Trying to make his recovery process a smoother one, we sat down with him and his caregiver to dive into the daily dressing challenges that they faced. 

Syafiqah, diagnosed with Athetoid Cerebral Palsy, was a little shy when meeting her fellow models. But when the time came, she confidently drove onto the runway dressed in an outfit that we hope would pave the way for adaptive fashion and inclusive fashion modelling!

Mdm Yeo was going for a hip replacement surgery and they were looking for post-surgery clothes. Being wheelchair bound, wearing conventional clothing became an uphill task. Even with the help of a caregiver, Mdm Yeo had to uncomfortably tug and struggle her way into trousers and tops.

Through a combination of silkscreening and embroidery, we created a shirt for Singapore's Prime Minister that is both a solution to UV awareness and a symbol of Singapore’s efforts towards a sustainable ecosystem!