AILEEN’S UNIFORM ATLAS
The Pulse is pleased to present Aileen’s Uniform Atlas, a recurring feature written by Aileen Out.
Out is the owner of Prettybusiness, a news blog in the Netherlands that focuses exclusively on work clothing.
When you, as a parent, buy a school uniform for your child, they often outgrow it quickly. This is a waste of clothing and not very sustainable. That is why a girls’ uniform has been developed in Africa that can be made up to six sizes larger.
Developing the Uniform in Togo
The idea came to Payton McGriff while she was studying at the University of Idaho. When she learned that 129 million girls worldwide are not attending school, she wanted to do something about it. She discovered that the cost of school uniforms in poor countries is a significant issue and that providing them for free reduces the dropout rate.
As a result, she started Style Her Empowered (SHE), a non-profit organization that helps 1,500 girls in Togo attend school each year. Together with seamstresses and students in Togo, she developed a special dress with pockets that grows with the child. It has adjustable side cords for width and an extra-wide hem that allows it to be lengthened.
Today, SHE employs around 20 seamstresses in Togo, all of whom, thanks to the organization, have full-time jobs. In addition to making the dress, they are also responsible for its distribution.
To help even more girls, McGriff has now also founded Changemakers Uniforms, which sells school uniforms. Customers can purchase standard uniforms or have them custom-made. The proceeds go to SHE, enabling more girls in Togo to receive assistance.
An Inspiration for School Uniforms Worldwide
This isn’t the first time children’s clothing that grows with the child has been sold. In 2017, British designer Ryan Mario Yasin launched Petite Pli. This clothing can grow up to seven sizes, according to the owner. Instead of cords, the brand uses an origami-like system where the clothes can be ‘unfolded.’ The children’s clothing line is divided into three categories: Tiny Human (0-1 year), Mini Human (9 months to 4 years), and Little Human (4 to 9 years).
The major difference between Petite Pli and SHE is that the latter focuses specifically on school uniforms. Yasin’s idea with foldable clothing is less suited for this purpose. Children are active, and especially at school, they need to be able to play without their clothes suddenly unfolding.
The strength of SHE lies in its simplicity. By using cords and an extendable hem, the choice of fabric is more flexible than when the fabric itself is the innovation. This opens up possibilities for innovations and variations. I think it’s a fantastic initiative and an inspiration for school uniforms worldwide.
