Guest Blog: Hanan Tantush, The Visionary Behind Intotum Fashion

After buying her first sewing machine from Jaycott's, Hanan Tantush is a force to be reckoned with in the world of adaptive fashion, winning awards left, right, and centre for her groundbreaking work with her brand, Intotum, www.intotumfashion.com, she was named in the Drapers 30 under 30 list earlier this year and she is still just 22 years old.

As the visionary behind the brand, she has redefined what inclusive clothing can be—fusing style, practicality, and innovation to create designs that truly empower. Her passion, talent, and unwavering commitment to accessibility have not only earned her industry recognition but have also made a real difference in people’s lives. With every accolade, she continues to push boundaries, proving that fashion should be for everyone, without compromise. 

We caught up with Hanan and got to ask her the important questions that we were all eager to know:

Intotum Fashion offers innovative adaptive clothing designs. Can you share the story behind the brand's inception and what motivated you to focus on adaptive fashion?

I started sewing when I was 10, I was always obsessed with fashion and knew I wanted to be a designer. But the spark for Intotum came from my grandad. He survived cancer multiple times and needed a stoma and urostomy bag as a result. He began to struggle with clothing that simply wasn’t designed with his needs in mind; trousers were too tight and pushed on the bag or hindered access to it. Watching him navigate those challenges made me realise how much of an impact clothing can have on someone’s confidence and independence as he became more reclusive with all his options taken away from him. I wanted to create a solution that addressed those gaps — where people didn’t have to choose between comfort, style, and functionality. That idea to actually turn this into a brand and a business grew as I started working with the wider disabled community, hearing similar frustrations — whether they use wheelchairs, have limb differences, or need sensory-friendly fabrics. I founded Intotum to change that. Now, we create clothing that’s not just functional but fashionable, so people can express themselves freely and feel amazing in what they wear.

Your mission emphasises blending practicality with the latest trends. How do you ensure that your adaptive clothing lines remain both functional and stylish?

We design with our community, not just for them. Through focus groups and direct feedback, we learn exactly what people need, and we make sure every feature is thoughtfully integrated into the design. Functionality comes first, ensuring the clothes solve real-world problems. But we design with fashion in mind, so people feel confident wearing the pieces, and we prioritise soft, breathable fabrics and thoughtful construction to guarantee comfort. One thing that is said to us all the time is that our community wants clothing that “looks like everybody elses” and that is the cornerstone to everything we design. For example, our seated-cut trousers are both stylish and practical, designed for wheelchair users with discreet side openings, stretch material and a higher back but with added features like integrated hoist ‘bands’ to help with self-transferring or crossing your legs.

Image by Katwamba Mutale

The launch of 'Intots' introduces adaptive childrenswear to your collection. What unique challenges and considerations did you encounter when designing for children?

When designing for children, we had to think about how easy it is for parents as well as encouraging independent dressing. Intots is autism-friendly, sensory-friendly, and includes features like tube-feeding access, expandable waistbands, and flat seams to reduce irritation. We worked closely with parents, carers, and kids themselves to understand what makes dressing easier and more comfortable. For example, we added printed in labels and soft, breathable fabrics to prevent irritation, while making sure the clothes were still fun, colorful, and full of personality. Kids deserve clothes that let them move, explore, and feel like themselves — without limitations.

Intotum has partnered with Purpl to offer disabled discounts, acknowledging the additional costs faced by disabled individuals. How did this collaboration come about, and what impact do you hope it will have on your customers?

We know that disabled people face higher everyday costs, and clothing shouldn’t be another financial barrier. When Purpl reached out, it felt like a perfect fit — they share our mission of making life more accessible. By offering discounts through Purpl, we hope to ease that financial strain and make adaptive fashion more attainable. For us, it’s never been about selling clothes; it’s about creating a community where everyone feels seen, supported, and valued.

Adaptive clothing often requires specialised features. Could you elaborate on some of the innovative design elements incorporated into your garments to enhance accessibility and comfort?

We’ve developed a range of adaptive features based directly on community feedback. Our coats include built-in bags and pockets for medical devices, hoist bands on our trousers to assist with transfers, backless coats for wheelchair users. Our jumpsuits have wrap-over designs for easier dressing or access to a stoma, and many pieces use magnetic or Velcro fastenings instead of fiddly buttons. It’s all about making everyday tasks simpler, while still letting people express their personal style.

The fashion industry is gradually becoming more inclusive. How do you see the role of adaptive fashion evolving in the mainstream market, and what contributions is Intotum making toward this shift?

Adaptive fashion is finally starting to get the recognition it deserves, but there’s still work to do. At Intotum, we’re pushing for that future by showcasing adaptive fashion at major events like Fashion Week and running fully inclusive campaigns with open castings. We want to show the industry that disabled people belong in fashion, not as an afterthought, but as leaders of style and innovation. I see adaptive fashion becoming as commonplace as sportswear, with ranges on the highstreet and Intoum right there with it.

Sustainability is a growing concern in fashion. How does Intotum address environmental considerations in its production processes and material sourcing?

Sustainability is incredibly important to us. We use deadstock fabrics in our development process to reduce our waste. Our ready to wear clothing is made from ethically sourced fabrics, produced locally where possible, and we design our pieces to be long-lasting and durabile, opting for higher quality materials. Our goal is to create fashion that respects both people and the planet.

As a designer, what inspires your creative process when developing new adaptive clothing pieces?

Inspiration comes from everywhere — conversations with our community, feedback from wearers, and even my own experience of living with ADHD. I’m fascinated by the intersection of fashion and function, so I often sketch ideas thinking, How could this be easier? More comfortable? I’m inspired by real people and their stories. Every piece we create starts with a conversation — whether it’s a parent sharing their child’s dressing struggles or someone explaining the barriers they face with traditional fashion. And honestly, I let myself experiment, testing ideas is part of the process so no ideas are bad ones! 

Image by Katwamba Mutale

Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for Intotum Fashion? Are there any upcoming projects, collaborations, or expansions that you're excited to share with our readers?

There’s so much to look forward to! We’re expanding our size ranges, growing our product offering and exploring new areas like sportswear. We also dream of opening a physical space where people can try on clothes, connect, and be part of the Intotum community. Our goal is to keep pushing boundaries and proving that fashion can be truly inclusive.

Lastly, do you have any quirky sewing tips that are essential and second nature to you now that you can share with us?

Although I'm a stickler for details when designing, I’m the opposite when I sew, you'll rarely catch me pinning every seam or measuring! Therefore I love magnets- I have a magnetic wrist pin ‘cushion’ on hand to catch stray pins (you’ll thank me later), and a magnetic seam allowance guide. And my personal favourite: if something goes wrong, don’t stress. Some of my best designs started as mistakes — sewing is all about experimenting, learning, and sometimes accidentally creating something even better than you planned!

We love Hanan's drive and passion. It's really inspiring, proving that with enough determination and consistency you can make it through.

Did you read our other guest blogs? This year we've spoken to Max Alexander, the 9 year old fashion whirlwind and Migle Sleny, making quilting cool.