Karen Bowersox, an entrepreneur from Mentor, Ohio, noticed that it didn’t matter how many times her granddaughter Maggie rolled up her jeans. They never fit properly, and she was left constantly tripping over them. Maggie has Down syndrome, the condition caused by the presence of an extra 21st chromosome. People with Down syndrome often share physical characteristics such as thicker necks, short limbs, slanting shoulders and protruding stomachs, which makes finding clothes exceedingly difficult.
Traditionally, people with Down syndrome and their parents would adjust regular clothes. Getting every piece of clothing custom-made or tailored is something only a Parisian couture-buyer could afford.
Bowersox discovered no one was producing clothing specifically for people with Down syndrome. Despite having no background in fashion, she founded Downs Designs.
