Our mission statement reads: Downs Designs Dreams advocates disability awareness, promotes independence and instills confidence by designing, developing and marketing a special clothing line for special people to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities and their families. More Info
Making a difference in the community for people with disabilities Our Downs Designs line is specially designed to properly fit the
unique body types of those with Down syndrome. They come
in 18 different styles based off body types ranging from ages
two through adult. Our NBZ line is for typical body types
benefiting the elderly, disabled veterans, Parkinson's, autism,
amputees, cerebral palsy, stroke victims, ALS, and many more.
Both lines have soft stretchy sensory friendly fabric, no
buttons, zippers, or tags, and an elastic waistband. The pants
do, however, allow for belt use, have a mock fly and come in
different fashionable styles. Downs Designs Dreams also offers
a free Try‐on service to ensure our customers obtain their
perfect fit.
Inspiration behind Downs Designs Dreams I have a granddaughter who was born with Down syndrome. As I watched her grow, I noticed
she was always tripping over her pants that were too long and her sleeves were always dipping
her cereal bowl. I started researching online for clothing for a person with Down syndrome and
it didn’t take long to realize there was nothing available. My mind wouldn’t stop thinking about
ways I could make clothes that were appropriate for her unique body shape. Then I called our
local design school and spoke with several teachers who suggested I hire a designer and create a
line of clothing that would be suitable. They recommended a young graduate, here name was
Jillian. We met, I hired here immediately, and in January of 2010, Downs Designs® was born. At
first, I thought I would make an entire wardrobe…oh, how hard could that be? Jill and I decided
we would start with only one thing…jeans. Who doesn’t need a great pair of jeans? It took
almost four years to create our 18 unique styles and our sizes range from toddlers through all
sizes of adults.
Then, in 2014, I saw an even bigger population that had a need for stretchy, stylish pull‐on jeans…MEN AND BOYS of standard sizes who struggle to manipulate buttons and zippers. I already had a great factory that was making our Downs Designs® Jeans, so it was an easy transition to standard sizes. I call these jeans NBZ® Jeans (no button, zipperless jeans). These jeans are made of soft, stretchy denim, have an elastic waistband and no button or zipper or tag. They are very stylish and no one would know they were pull‐on jeans.
In January, 2015, Downs Designs Dreams was formed as a 501(c)3 corporation and both brands are now sold under one entity. The transition to a non‐profit is helping our organization accomplish its mission of reaching out to more people in need and better serving more individuals with disabilities and their families. We have created our Adopt‐A‐Jean Friday and Support‐A‐Veteran Adopt‐A‐Jean programs that allow us to donate to those in need at no cost. We have now designed a black dress and khaki option to expand our services and assist individuals and families with their social, formal, working, and schooling needs. We are very eager to begin production on our newest additions that will offer support in an area with very limited options for these communities.
Then, in 2014, I saw an even bigger population that had a need for stretchy, stylish pull‐on jeans…MEN AND BOYS of standard sizes who struggle to manipulate buttons and zippers. I already had a great factory that was making our Downs Designs® Jeans, so it was an easy transition to standard sizes. I call these jeans NBZ® Jeans (no button, zipperless jeans). These jeans are made of soft, stretchy denim, have an elastic waistband and no button or zipper or tag. They are very stylish and no one would know they were pull‐on jeans.
In January, 2015, Downs Designs Dreams was formed as a 501(c)3 corporation and both brands are now sold under one entity. The transition to a non‐profit is helping our organization accomplish its mission of reaching out to more people in need and better serving more individuals with disabilities and their families. We have created our Adopt‐A‐Jean Friday and Support‐A‐Veteran Adopt‐A‐Jean programs that allow us to donate to those in need at no cost. We have now designed a black dress and khaki option to expand our services and assist individuals and families with their social, formal, working, and schooling needs. We are very eager to begin production on our newest additions that will offer support in an area with very limited options for these communities.
Who can benefit from Downs Designs Dreams So many people can be helped by comfortable, stylish clothes that address challenges they may have in dressing due to any circumstances that affect their abilitiy to dress themselves. Anyone who strives for independence will appreciate the value in what we have created.
Our message When I began this journey, I had a "dream". This is my hope for future:
Since I began this journey six years ago, I’ve had a vision. I see a huge warehouse, with guys on tow motors, unloading trucks every day. I see the shipping and receiving department busy packaging orders for shipment and putting away the latest truckload. I hear the hum of sewing machines down the hall in the alteration room where our amazing seamstresses are busy hemming and ironing the latest orders that just came back from the try-on service.
I see Jillian and her team of designers working on next season’s sportswear line. The phones in customer service are ringing off the hook and we just hired a new employee; her name is Janie and she has Down syndrome. Last week we brought in a new customer service rep (a proud veteran). He lost a leg in Iraq, but he’s doing a great job communicating with our customers. The accounting department is busy keeping up with all the paperwork and the break room is empty with just a few dirty cups sitting on the table. The Board Room is being prepared for tonight’s meeting and my calendar is full of speaking engagements bringing awareness around the community.
Children with disabilities in schools everywhere are sitting quietly in their seats when the bell rings. They’re off to the bathroom where they proudly can pull their own pants up and down and no longer need help from their aid. Mary, who has Down syndrome, just got a compliment on her new dress from Downs Designs Dreams. Bobby is eight years old and is autistic. His mom just bought him some new NBZ® Jeans and he loves how they feel. He thinks he’s cool today and needed no help getting dressed before school.
Jimmy also has Down syndrome and just got a new job at McDonald’s. He’s so excited about his new position, but when they told him he had to wear black pants every day, he wasn’t worried. He just bought a new pair last month from Downs Designs Dreams and knew he would look his best on his first day on the job.
No more will kids or adults with disabilities feel out of place, uncomfortable or feel like they don’t fit in. Downs Designs Dreams is providing quality, stylish clothing to enrich the lives of people with disabilities and help them live a more satisfying and happier life.
“In loving memory of my grandson, Brendan Koehler, who was born with Down syndrome.”
Since I began this journey six years ago, I’ve had a vision. I see a huge warehouse, with guys on tow motors, unloading trucks every day. I see the shipping and receiving department busy packaging orders for shipment and putting away the latest truckload. I hear the hum of sewing machines down the hall in the alteration room where our amazing seamstresses are busy hemming and ironing the latest orders that just came back from the try-on service.
I see Jillian and her team of designers working on next season’s sportswear line. The phones in customer service are ringing off the hook and we just hired a new employee; her name is Janie and she has Down syndrome. Last week we brought in a new customer service rep (a proud veteran). He lost a leg in Iraq, but he’s doing a great job communicating with our customers. The accounting department is busy keeping up with all the paperwork and the break room is empty with just a few dirty cups sitting on the table. The Board Room is being prepared for tonight’s meeting and my calendar is full of speaking engagements bringing awareness around the community.
Children with disabilities in schools everywhere are sitting quietly in their seats when the bell rings. They’re off to the bathroom where they proudly can pull their own pants up and down and no longer need help from their aid. Mary, who has Down syndrome, just got a compliment on her new dress from Downs Designs Dreams. Bobby is eight years old and is autistic. His mom just bought him some new NBZ® Jeans and he loves how they feel. He thinks he’s cool today and needed no help getting dressed before school.
Jimmy also has Down syndrome and just got a new job at McDonald’s. He’s so excited about his new position, but when they told him he had to wear black pants every day, he wasn’t worried. He just bought a new pair last month from Downs Designs Dreams and knew he would look his best on his first day on the job.
No more will kids or adults with disabilities feel out of place, uncomfortable or feel like they don’t fit in. Downs Designs Dreams is providing quality, stylish clothing to enrich the lives of people with disabilities and help them live a more satisfying and happier life.
“In loving memory of my grandson, Brendan Koehler, who was born with Down syndrome.”
