How a Niece Turned Heartbreak Into Hope With an Adaptive Fashion Line Honoring Her Aunt

She looks so uncomfortable and cold, Lady Natasha Fines thought as she looked at her Aunt Emma while she received her chemotherapy treatment during her six-year battle with breast cancer. I wish there were something I could do to help.

Going home that night, Lady Natasha thought about the way Emma’s clothes had been stretched out due to the ports for her treatments. She used to dress so stylishly, Lady Natasha thought as tears welled in her eyes.

I’ve got it! She thought as inspiration struck. I can create an adaptive clothing line!

At the time, Lady Natasha worked as a buyer for a fashion retailer, so she pitched the idea to her team. “We need an adaptive clothing category with pieces for people with disabilities or illnesses made with magnetic closures, adjustable hems and zipper openings for easy access to ports,” she said as she showed her presentation. 

“Unfortunately, this isn’t our customer right now,” her team said, and her heart sank. I am not going to give up now, Lady Natasha thought.

Bringing dreams to life

Within months, Lady Natasha decided to transfer to a less competitive job outside of the fashion industry, so she could focus on starting her own line of adaptive clothing pieces. She created another presentation, but this time, it was a full business plan for her parents. “This is so needed,” her mom, Emeline, who has a background in business, said as she looked at Lady Natasha’s designs. “We have to bring this to life for Emma and other women!”

“Let’s call it Lady Fines,” the duo agreed.

Lady Natasha began reaching out to influencers and friends with disabilities in the community to better understand what was missing in the marketplace and how she could help fulfill the need. Then she got to work creating more designs of sweatsuits, T-shirts, pants, skirts and dresses that were all wheelchair-friendly and functional for every person.

Spreading hope

In January 2023, Lady Natasha received the first box of real samples of her designs. When they arrived, she placed a hand on it and said a simple prayer, “God, please!”

As she opened the box, Lady Natasha’s and Emeline’s hearts leaped. Tears flowed as they looked at each piece. The quality was perfect, and they were ready to get them in the hands of those who needed them most.

After a year of hard work to get Lady Fines Adaptive Fashion (LadyFines.com) off the ground, Aunt Emma sadly passed away. Lady Natasha thought of what Emma used to say, You have to pray on it, but then you have to do something about it and believe in it.

“We have to keep this going for her,” the mother-daughter duo decided. 

A few months later, Lady Fines was invited to New York Fashion Week, where models with disabilities rocked the runway wearing her designs. 

“Thank you so much for giving my daughter this moment,” one mom told Emeline backstage before her daughter walked the runway. “It means so much that you would create this clothing line!”

Now, they’ve provided hundreds of women and girls around the world with stylish and comfortable outfits, and they receive messages daily from those who are impacted by their work. They also started a nonprofit, Rebels with a Cause Foundation, that raises awareness and funds for adaptive clothing solutions, medical devices and mobility aids to make an even bigger impact. 

For Lady Natasha and Emeline, they’re simply following the call on their hearts to fulfill a need and to honor Aunt Emma. “God gave us one life, and we’re not wasting it. We want to be advocates for people with all different disabilities,” says Lady Natasha. “And believing in yourself is something my aunt did an incredible job at. She made sure everyone felt like anything is possible.”