Victoria's Secret releases collection of adaptive garments for people with disabilities

Victoria's Secret, the intimates brand once synonymous with ultra-padded "bombshell" bras and runway shows full of heroin chic models, has released a new line of products made to accommodate an oft-ignored subset of customers.

In a first-of-its-kind move for the company, Victoria's Secret announced the release of an adaptive intimates collection, which features garments designed specifically to accommodate people with a number of disabilities. Sold both by the flagship property and sub-brand PINK, the line of modular bras and underwear are part of the simply named Adaptive Collection, which was developed with the input from people in the disability community, according to the brand.

Working with GAMUT Management, a management company that works with and for people with disabilities, VS created undergarments with sensory-friendly fabrics, magnet closures and front strap adjustors.

Replacing traditional hooks, snaps and clasps on bras with easier-to-use magnets and moving adjustors to the front of the body for an easier reach creates a smoother, simpler process for people with mobility issues to get dressed. Panties and underwear received similar treatment, with the addition of magnet enclosures on the sides to secure and adjust the garments around the waist.

The bras and underwear come in a variety of styles, sizes and colors, as the designs were pulled from the signature Body by Victoria and Wear Everywhere lines before being modified. Whether a shopper is looking for an underwire or wireless bra, cheeky or full coverage underwear, bright colors or more natural tones, all the modular products are also made from smooth, soft, sensory-sensitive materials.

"Having VS and PINK Adaptive available in both Victoria's Secret and PINK's most popular collections, featuring easy wearability and comfort in such beautiful styles and colorways is incredible – and we are so proud to share them both online and in select stores to meet the needs of women with disabilities,"said Janie Schaffer, Chief Design Officer at Victoria's Secret in a press statement.

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Victoria's Secret and the fashion industry look towards change

Sensing the shift in consumer interest from fascination with the large-busted, ultra-thin figures of the early 2000's to a more modern, diverse and inclusive mindset, Victoria's Secret & Co has undergone a series of rebrands in recent years, making an effort to refresh an image that became largely associated with unhealthy and unrealistic expectations from a not-so-distant past.

VS has made an effort to target larger, more diverse audiences since the end of the mall heyday, expanding size offerings and featuring models of different sizes, shapes, colors, backgrounds and abilities in ads and on the runway. This year, models in wheelchairs and sporting prosthetics showcased the upcoming collection at New York Fashion Week as part of the VS Runway of Dreams show.

While this is a first for the Victoria's Secret brand, other fashion giants who survived the shift to digital-first shopping have made similar efforts to expand customer bases and change their images.

Competing companies like American Eagle's Aerie, Rihanna's Savage x Fenty and even department and more general stores like Kohl's and Target are among other shopping sources making an effort to create clothing with accessibility in mind and increase representation of people with disabilities in commercials, ads and on the runway.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Victoria's Secret's adaptive garments target people with disabilities