Ward + Robes redesigns the hated hospital gown for teens
Staying at a hospital is an uncomfortable experience — from the procedures and tests to the unappetizing food. But to make an already awful situation worse, you’re made to put on a backless papery gown that leaves your behind awkwardly exposed.
For a few teens (and likely everyone else who’s worn that drafty disaster), not only does it make you look bad, it makes you feel bad.
To fix this, Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada partnered with six local designers to create Ward + Robes — a unique collection of hospital gowns that teen patients would actually want to wear.
The foundation, whose aim is to brighten the lives of sick children and their families, released a video of the project on Monday showcasing trendy-looking garb, some with details like lace and camouflage and others with drawings of animals, skulls and hearts.
One hundred redesigned gowns were donated to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) in Ottawa where teen patients were invited to browse and pick out one that matches their personality.
Designers include Toronto tattoo artist India Amara, Vancouver designer Sarah Boyce Sargent and Toronto designer Izzy Camilleri, whose outfits have been worn by David Bowie and Meryl Streep.
“Being a teen is not an easy thing. Ever. And being a teen with some serious health problems — I can only imagine is like the most challenging thing in the world,” says Amara. “Nothing is certain for those kids.”
Starlight is looking into the possibility of extending this program to other hospitals and is inviting the public to donate to it. Artists and designers are also welcome to get involved and design hospital gowns.
What do you think of the redesigned gowns? Let us know by tweeting at us at @YahooStyleCA.
