Brinda, Director and Co-Founder of Multifly Lifestyle Pvt. Ltd., spearheading the brand INXCLUSIV, boasts over two decades of dedicated service in the social development sector. Alongside her life partner, Mehulkumar Pancholi, the Co-founder, a seasoned professional with 25 years of experience in the Fashion and Textile industry, they have worked tirelessly to bridge the gap in the fashion industry by providing inclusive apparel for individuals with disabilities.

Their journey began with a profound realization of the challenges faced by people with disabilities in accessing fashionable and functional clothing. Inspired by their exposure to various NGOs in the disability space and driven by a shared commitment to social betterment, Brinda and Mehulkumar combined their core strengths of compassion and product development. Thus, Multifly Lifestyle Pvt. Ltd. was born, with a vision to revolutionize the fashion landscape by prioritizing inclusivity and diversity.

In this exclusive interview conducted by Gurbir Singh Gulati, Editor-in-Chief of infashionbusiness.com, Brinda and Mehulkumar Pancholi delve into the ethos, design philosophy, and future aspirations of Multifly Lifestyle Pvt. Ltd. They shed light on the innovative concepts and personalized approach that distinguish INXCLUSIV from traditional fashion brands, emphasizing the brand's dedication to enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities while promoting empowerment and dignity.

Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind Multifly Lifestyle Pvt. Ltd. and how the idea of providing inclusive apparel for individuals with disabilities came about?

Ten years ago, we were largely unaware of the daily struggles faced by people with disabilities. However, our exposure to various NGOs in this space gradually opened our eyes to the challenges they encountered on a regular basis. Brinda, my Co-founder, has dedicated over two decades to the social development sector, with the last ten years specifically focused on the disability space. She serves on the governing board of an NGO in this domain and volunteers with other NGOs. On the other hand, I, Mehul, bring 25 years of experience in the Fashion and Textile industry to the table. Having held senior positions and handled product development for domestic and international brands in India's leading fashion and lifestyle organizations, I recognized the opportunity to leverage our combined strengths for the betterment of society. As life partners, we decided to amalgamate our compassion and expertise in new product development, leading to the inception of Multifly Lifestyle Pvt Ltd.

Initially based in Bengaluru, our journey was catalyzed by conversations with friends who are Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). They expressed concerns about the lack of inclusivity in mainstream fashion, highlighting the discomfort experienced by PwDs while using conventional apparel. This revelation underscored a significant gap in the industry, prompting us to take action. Our first challenge came from a young adult with Autism followed by a requirement from an Ostomate. Since then, there has been no turning back.

What sets your design philosophy apart from traditional fashion brands, and how do you ensure that your garments are both stylish and functional?

Our design philosophy is deeply rooted in addressing the core needs of individuals with disabilities. Through discussions with PwDs, we have identified key priorities in clothing, including Dignity, Freedom, Mobility, Functionality, Low maintenance, Affordability, and Style. While many traditional fashion brands prioritize aesthetics over functionality, we believe that fashion should empower rather than hinder individuals. Therefore, we prioritize versatility and durability in our designs to ensure that our garments not only look good but also cater to the unique needs of our customers. Each piece of clothing is customized and engineered based on the specific requirements expressed by the end-user. We meticulously understand their unique body structures and mobility requirements to create garments that are both stylish and functional.

Could you walk us through some of the innovative design concepts that you incorporate into your adaptive garments to address the specific needs of individuals with disabilities?

Our adaptive garments incorporate a range of innovative design concepts to address the specific needs of individuals with disabilities. These include discrete adaptive features such as hook and loop closures, magnetic closures, adjustable waistbands, and accessible pockets for easy dressing and convenience. Additionally, we focus on inclusive sizing, relaxed fitting, thoughtful seam placements, and the use of natural fibers to ensure optimal comfort and mobility. Each design element is carefully considered to enhance the usability and practicality of our garments while maintaining aesthetics and styling.

How do you ensure that your clothing remains comfortable and conducive to the sensory needs of your customers, especially those with sensory sensitivities?

Comfort is paramount in our design process, especially considering the sensory needs of our customers. We prioritize soft, breathable fabrics that feel gentle on the skin and minimize irritation. Our fabric selection is based on functionality, tailored to different requirements. For instance, lightweight and breathable cotton fabrics are chosen for senior citizens with limited mobility, while medium-weight cotton or cotton-rich fabrics are used for wheelchair users' trousers. For freedom pants for kids with developmental disorders, we opt for breathable cotton-spandex knitted fabric.

Additionally, we avoid scratchy labels/tags, rough seams, and other potential sources of discomfort. Our garments are designed to provide a comfortable, sensory-friendly wearing experience, allowing individuals to feel at ease and confident in their clothing.

Can you share some success stories or testimonials from individuals who have benefited from your adaptive clothing solutions?

We have received numerous positive feedback from individuals who have benefited from our adaptive clothing solutions. Customers have shared stories of newfound confidence, independence, and freedom that our garments have provided.

One of our customers is a female para-athlete playing basketball at the national level. Being paraplegic, she lost control over urinary discharge. Our trousers have given her freedom in aesthetic appearance while addressing the core issue.

A male para-athlete uses INXCLUSIV UROCARE + pants. He is a national-level table tennis player. Earlier, he used to feel embarrassed in social gatherings keeping his urine bag outside. With concealed closures and ‘normal-looking’ trousers, he is now going out with confidence.

A young adult on the Autism spectrum uses our freedom pants regularly. The teachers and parents have given us good feedback on the product as it has reduced his aversion to wearing 2 garments due to sensory issues. Girls & women teachers in the class now do not have to worry about his dressing.

An Ostomy patient regularly utilizes our adaptive innerwear. By opting for our solution, they are saving a significant amount of money previously spent on expensive imported products, as we provide a cost-effective indigenous alternative.

What challenges did you face when developing your products, and how did you overcome them?

Challenges were encountered during the development of our products, and we navigated through them with persistence and innovation:

•  
• - No two persons with the same kind of disability have similar requirements.
• - Initially, we assumed that creating trousers for a wheelchair user would address the needs of all wheelchair users. However, upon deeper exploration through interactions with various NGOs and individuals, we realized that each person has unique challenges that require tailored solutions.
• - We began shadowing users to understand their daily routines better, gathering feedback from counsellors, parents, spouses, and caregivers, and incorporating their insights into our designs.
• - We recognized that the body structure of our users differs significantly from typical individuals, necessitating customization for each person.
• - Moreover, the requirements of para-athletes differed from those of office-goers, adding another layer of complexity to our design process.
• - Every customer approaching us is considered the first, and we initiate the process from scratch, ensuring personal interaction to grasp their needs accurately.
• - During the development phase, we faced challenges in outsourcing product development, as understanding the nuanced requirements proved difficult for external entities. Additionally, the iterative nature of the development process made outsourcing impractical.
• - To address these challenges, we established our development center, prioritizing inclusivity and accessibility to employ people with disabilities.
• - Our product development team is equipped to handle various materials, weights, and product types, ensuring versatility and expertise in crafting inclusive clothing solutions.

How do you prioritize inclusivity and diversity in your design process, considering the wide range of disabilities and mobility needs within the community?

In prioritizing inclusivity and diversity in our design process, we adhere to the following principles:

• - Each customer is regarded as a unique individual, acknowledging that everyone has distinct needs, desires, and aspirations, regardless of disability.
• - For individuals with disabilities, dignity takes precedence, followed by considerations of mobility and functionality.
• - Operating within this specialized space, we recognize the absence of excuses for neglecting inclusivity and diversity.
• - We address one type of disability at a time, engaging in brainstorming sessions and extensive questioning with ourselves and the community to comprehend the genuine concerns of consumers.
• - We commence with developing an initial prototype based on primary and secondary research, utilizing our accumulated knowledge and expertise, and then proceed to wearer trials, gathering feedback, and implementing continuous improvement measures.
• - Our approach emphasizes focusing on resolving one problem at a time, ensuring dedicated attention to each issue and facilitating comprehensive solutions.

Could you discuss the process of receiving recognition from the India Fashion Forum and NIFTA for your innovative trousers for spinal cord injury patients? How has this acknowledgment impacted your brand's trajectory?

Mehul Pancholi has been attending the India Fashion Forum for quite a few years and is also an active member of NIFTA for more than a decade. The India Fashion Forum provides a platform for established brands to showcase their innovative products and serves as an excellent opportunity for new brands like us to present our products. It also fosters meaningful conversations among industry professionals.

The IFF Innovation Excellence Award aims to recognize innovators and their innovations. We learned about this opportunity through NIFTA. Although initially hesitant to participate due to being only 8 months into actual manufacturing, we saw it as a chance to showcase our products and raise awareness about our social cause. We wanted to convey the message that, as a fashion industry entity, we have overlooked a significant portion of society—People with Disabilities, Patients, and Senior Citizens.

We strongly believe that our product, "INXCLUSIV Urocare +," offers Dignity, Freedom, Mobility, Functionality, and Affordable Fashion for People with Spinal Cord injuries and others who carry a urine bag. It is a one-of-a-kind product in India and beyond. We were optimistic that it would generate excitement within the industry. We have showcased the product at exhibitions and festivals organized for People with Disabilities and have received a positive response. At a festival in Goa, we acquired our first customer for the product. The version of the product showcased at IFF was an improved one, meticulously designed and engineered to address user pain points.

Caption: Mehulkumar Pancholi, Co-founder of Multifly Lifestyle Pvt. Ltd., receiving the award from India Fashion Forum and NIFTA for our innovative trousers designed specifically for spinal cord injury patients.

We were honored to receive recognition from the India Fashion Forum and NIFTA for our innovative trousers designed especially for spinal cord injury patients. This acknowledgment affirmed the importance of inclusive fashion in the industry and highlighted the impact of our adaptive clothing solutions. The recognition not only boosted our brand's visibility but also provided validation for our mission and inspired us to continue pushing the boundaries of inclusive design.

The award provided us with recognition in the fashion community and support for our cause. Several community members have expressed interest in collaborating with us. We have been approached by a major ecommerce company in the disability space for collaboration and potential investment. Our customers are delighted to be associated with Multifly Lifestyle Private Limited.

What are your future plans for expansion and product development, particularly in terms of serving new segments of the disability community or exploring additional innovative solutions?

Though our product range covers disabilities like locomotor, intellectual and developmental, spinal cord injury, vision impairments, critical illness/trauma/accident recovery, and old age, we feel we have a long way to go. We have covered the width and now have to go deep.

We also recognize that some of our products can be used for more than one impairment. For example, the product meant for spinal cord injury patients can be used by a person having issues with bladder control. We are developing some products with universal design and quite a few products that are very specific to one particular issue, such as underwear for Ostomates.

A special range for vision impairment is in the making, and we are in the prototype stage.

Lastly, how do you envision the role of Multifly Lifestyle Pvt. Ltd. in shaping the future of inclusive fashion and promoting empowerment and dignity for individuals with disabilities?

We strongly believe in our cause of making affordable fashion for people with disabilities and also aim to engage people with disabilities in the process of designing, manufacturing, marketing, and retailing the products.

We aspire to be pioneers in the inclusive fashion space—a place where we provide fashion solutions to all kinds of visible and invisible disabilities.

Moreover, we believe that in the near future, our success in this space will inspire big brands to see the opportunities and incorporate an inclusive fashion product range into their portfolios.

In conclusion, the story of Multifly Lifestyle Pvt. Ltd. exemplifies the power of compassion, innovation, and dedication in revolutionizing the fashion industry. Through their commitment to inclusivity and diversity, Brinda and Mehulkumar have not only transformed the lives of individuals with disabilities but have also set a new standard for fashion brands worldwide. As pioneers in the inclusive fashion space, their vision and impact continue to inspire meaningful change, promoting empowerment and dignity for all.

For more information and to explore Multifly Lifestyle Pvt. Ltd, visit https://www.multifly.co.in/.