By mobileWOMEN Team
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Founder, Alexandra Connell |
Their website features products from
20+ different designers, many of whom live with disabilities themselves. To
better understand this "new to our community" concept, we decided to get up close and personal with
“Patti & Ricky”. See below, our in-depth interview with founder and “Creative
Energy Officer”, Alexandra Connell:
Mw: What inspired you
to start your company? Who is PATTI + RICKY? How did you come up with the name?
AC: I saw a need for a marketplace
that offered stylish and functional clothing that catered to people of all abilities. Thinking
back, there were many experiences in my life that led me to find PATTIandRICKY.com.
Both of my parents worked in the New York City fashion and accessory industry.
Conversations in my home included what would be the next fashion trend or what
was going to be the “it” colors for fall. I like to joke that I was born into
retail and it’s in my blood.
I also grew up with dyslexia and
ADHD. During and after college, I worked for nonprofits focused on fostering
inclusion. Much of that time inspired me to earn my masters in disAbility
Studies.
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Alex giving her mother, Patti(left)! |
My cousin Ricky was unable to walk
or verbally communicate. He taught me many things, including multiple ways to
communicate. He showed me that communicating through our eyes and facial
expressions can be just as effective as verbal communication. Ricky had a
contagious smile, keen intellect and was a true lover of the arts. Patti and
Ricky were both the depiction of cool. Together, Patti and Ricky formed the
inclusive lens through which I see the world. I wanted to create an online
department store where every product is curated with “PATTI +
RICKY approval” in mind. Our mission is to continue to spread the
love, understanding, and acceptance that PATTI + RICKY passed on throughout
their lifetimes.
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Undies with hook & eye fasteners |
mW: How did you get
started?
AC: My experience
donating the pink floral cane that was Patti's (my Moms' cane), led me to
an "Aha" moment about fashion and disAbilities. I realized that
the power of fashion did not just apply to Patti’s pink floral cane or Ricky's
cool wheelchair accessories. Fashion is universal - and should be! So, through
intensive market research, I realized there were numerous designers out there
making stylish and functional products for individuals with disAbilities.
I wanted the products to all be in one place; a place that I could showcase the
amazing products, as well as the incredible designers.
As we contacted
designers to learn about their products, I learned that most of the designers had disAbilities themselves or are inspired by a loved one with
a disAbility. Almost all products on our site originally began to serve a
need for themselves or their loved ones. The response from product designers
continues to be astonishing! Every designer I have partnered with is very
excited about PATTIandRICKY.com. I feel so lucky to be
working with incredible designers with inspiring stories. On the site’s “Meet
Our Designer” section, customers can learn more about each company and its
products.
mW: Tell us about your
concept?
AC: Simply, PATTI +
RICKY is an online shopping experience that offers stylish and functional
designer products for individuals with disAbilities.
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Sweater capes that don't get caught in spokes |
mW: What products do
you sell?
AC: At PATTIandRICKY.com women,
men and kids will find stylish and functional clothing and accessories. We sell
everything from trendy jeans to Braille printed jewelry to fashionable arm
slings and beautiful hand painted walking sticks.
mW: How did you decide
which designers to sell?
AC: PATTI + RICKY
partners with designers that make products that are functional, high quality
and stylish for people with disAbilities. We wanted to create an online
department store where every product is curated with Patti and Ricky approval
in mind. When I come across a new product, I try to imagine if my
mom or cousin would have used it or thought it was cool.
mW: What did you feel
was important to offer at your site that you feel was lacking in the market?
What makes your site unique?
AC: The shopping
experience does not typically include or embrace difference and individuals
with disAbilities. PATTI + RICKY aims to provide individuals
with disAbilities a one-stop shop with options for stylish and functional
clothing and accessories that they usually may not be able to find in a
traditional shopping experience.
AC: PATTI + RICKY is
searching daily for more design partners and new products to offer our customers.
We hope to offer a growing mix of fashionable products that range from
affordable to luxury. Pricing will never be the criteria for a product being
selected; all products will be curated and selected with Patti and Ricky in
mind. PATTIandRICKY.com customers will find a
suggestion section where they get our product search team excited about new
clothing and accessories they think should be part of our selection. We do our
best to find and make available products our customers suggest.
mW: Do you have any
products or product concepts you want to highlight?
AC: PATTI + RICKY
features a fall season lineup featuring sweaters, rain capes, and new denim
fits and washes that customers are loving. Our kids' section also has fun
back-to-school gear including compression clothing, neck bandannas, pie-shaped
bags, eye patches, and hearing aid charms. We also sell Braille Clothing
Patches that are empowering kids who are blind or visually impaired to dress
independently, making back-to-school morning routines stress-free. We
carry lots of beautiful gifts for loved ones with disAbilities including
handmade jewelry like as fidget rings and necklaces, Braille printed cuff
bracelets, and hearing aid and cochlear implant ear cuffs. We are looking
forward to launching PATTI + RICKY'S Holiday Gift Guide for individuals with
disAbilities for this holiday season in the coming months!
mW: Have you been
surprised by any result of starting your company? What kind of feedback have
you received thus far?
AC: The response from
people saying 'This is so needed' has been overwhelming. Over and over, we have
had consumers reaching out telling us how important it is for them to have
these options, and how happy they are that they found PATTI + RICKY. We
hope to inspire more designers to create stylish and functional clothing and
accessories for individuals with disAbilities.
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Fashionable denim for wheelchair users |
mW: Specifically for
wheelchair users, what can we find on your site?
AC: Customers will
find fashion-forward, protective leather gloves and stylish pie-shaped bags
that can be attached to many different vehicles including the wheels of
manual wheelchairs. We also feature a beautiful lingerie department, which
includes bras with front closures and underwear that have hook and eye
fasters on both hips that make them easy to put on and off for many
individuals.
Our Fall 2017
essentials include trendy jeans for wheelchair users designed by an awesome
woman who uses a wheelchair. These jeans feature accessible pockets, high back
rise, back elastic waistband, straps for ease of dressing, tummy control panel
and invisible catheter opening, and a faux fly. Also, we carry blue, black, and
gray versatile pants that open completely to the knees via three
strategically positioned zippers. This unique fully frontal opening allows for
an easier and faster access to the abdomen - for issues typically related to
incontinence, wound care, or bags. Current customers report efficient time
savings, less back strain, less skin shear probability, and less exposure
creates more dignity. To stay warm in the brisk fall weather, we also
feature cozy sweater capes that will not get caught in spokes, magnetically
infused dress shirts, and rain capes that fit perfectly over wheelchairs.
Mw: Is there anything
else you would like to mention?
We want to thank mobileWOMEN.org for
this amazing opportunity to highlight PATTI + RICKY. We greatly appreciate your
support.
mW: Our pleasure!
Links:
Website: www.PATTIandRICKY.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pattiandricky/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pattiandrickycom/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/pattiandricky_
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