Rewriting the Rules: How Haley Schwartz Is Revolutionizing Fashion for Women of All Abilities
- The Modern Domestic Woman
- Aug 7
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 9
The Story Behind Vertige Adaptive
When you think of adaptive clothing, what comes to mind?
Functional but frumpy? Basic. Clinical. Designed for utility, not style.
Now, imagine a sleek black jumper with water-resistant pockets. A flattering silhouette that respects your body and your medical devices. A piece so thoughtfully designed it can take you from a professional conference to a retirement party—and still make you feel like, as one customer put it, “a pretty girl again.”
That’s the magic of Vertige Adaptive, pronounced [Vér-tij], a fashion-forward brand that’s rewriting what it means to dress with dignity, choice, and confidence. And behind it all is Haley Schwartz, a young founder whose story is as bold and resilient as the designs she creates.
A Health Journey That Became a Design Mission
At just four years old, Haley was diagnosed with a rare heart arrhythmia—Ventricular Tachycardia.
While her tiny heart silently skipped and stuttered through the day, she was outwardly symptomless.
But the treatment?
A tangled mess of wires, itchy adhesives, bulky monitors, and self-conscious discomfort.
“I hated it,” she recalls. "The cords were long and would get tangled in my clothes. My pockets were too small, so I had to either carry the monitor around or tuck it into the waistband of my pants. The leads would fall off, so I taped them to my skin or wrapped a gauze bandage around my body to keep everything in place."
Overall, it was incredibly uncomfortable and made her feel very self-conscious. When she had the monitor on, she was so embarrassed that Haley didn’t even want to leave her house.
However, the doctors needed to monitor her heart during my everyday activities, so even on hot days, Haley covered herself up with baggy clothes in an effort to hide it.
Years later, just before middle school, a head injury triggered Dysautonomia—an autonomic condition that caused frequent fainting. If childhood wasn’t challenging enough, now she was “the girl who passed out at school.” Teachers brushed her off and blamed her fainting on anxiety or an eating disorder, which wasn’t the case at all. Peers treated her differently.
But instead of disappearing, Haley leaned into something that brought her joy: fashion.
“I started putting together outfits not to impress anyone, but to make the day a little more bearable. I noticed people treated me differently when I dressed up. Teachers became kinder. My peers stopped focusing on my health.”
That realization—that fashion had power—planted the first seed of what would later become Vertige Adaptive.
From Sketch to Studio: Overcoming Industry Roadblocks
Haley had the designs. She had the vision. What she didn’t have—at least at first—were the industry connections.
“My biggest challenge was finding the right manufacturers,” she says. “Most factories won’t work with you unless you already have some kind of relationship with them. And since I started this business right after graduating from college, I didn’t have any.”
But what Haley did have was grit—and mentors who believed in her.
Thanks to a few generous introductions and a consultant who guided her through the entire process, she was able to navigate the maze of sourcing and production.
Even with help, it wasn’t easy. Many manufacturers were hesitant to take on adaptive fashion, a still-new concept in an industry that often prioritizes speed over inclusivity.
“Not everyone was willing to put in the extra effort,” she admits.
But those early challenges turned out to be a gift. Haley didn’t just get her foot in the door—she gained a deep understanding of the entire supply chain, knowledge she now uses to advocate for better practices and more inclusive production standards within the industry.
Because Vertige Adaptive isn’t just about beautiful clothes. It’s about pushing fashion forward—on every level.
Gorgeous Design With Intention & Control
For Haley, fashion wasn’t about hiding. It was about reclaiming identity in a world that constantly tried to reduce her to a diagnosis.
When she began designing professionally, her goal was clear: create clothes that look like they belong on the runway—while also working with feeding tubes, ostomy bags, and heart monitors.
She designs with intentionality:
Higher necklines for coverage without sacrificing style
Fitted-but-relaxed silhouettes that flatter without restricting
Interior water-resistant pockets to discreetly house devices
Snap closures and zippers for easier dressing and device access
“I never want to create clothing that hides people’s bodies,” Haley says. “It’s about giving women the choice to show or conceal. That’s where the power is.”
And she doesn’t see adaptive features as limitations. She sees them as creative prompts. Each collection starts with free-flowing fashion sketches, and then she adapts them.
“That way, fashion is never an afterthought. It’s the foundation.”
Changing the Narrative—For Everyone
Vertige Adaptive isn’t just for women with chronic conditions. And that’s by design.
While Haley’s lived experience fuels every stitch, she wants the brand to feel just as welcoming to someone who isn’t navigating a diagnosis. Because true inclusivity means options for everyone—without forcing anyone into a box.
That’s why she’s now shifting the way she talks about Vertige.
Instead of a brand for people with disabilities, she’s reframing it as “a fashion-forward lifestyle brand for women of all abilities.”
Two product lines. The same great styles. One with discreet adaptive features, one without.
“People without disabilities already have thousands of clothing options. So this shift isn’t for them—it’s for the women who need these designs to feel like themselves again.”
And yes, non-disabled women are loving the functionality too. A friend once asked, “Is it weird if I buy this romper even though I don’t need adaptive clothing?”
That’s when Haley knew: adaptive doesn’t mean ‘only if.’ It can mean ‘for all.’
A Dress, A Feeding Tube, and One Powerful Review
It’s one thing to have a vision. It’s another to watch it change someone’s life.
One customer—a woman with a feeding tube—needed a dress last minute for a work trip.
Haley rushed to make sure it shipped in time. Days later, she received a message that stopped her in her tracks.
“I purchased the Denim Convertible Jumper in Black for a professional conference I was attending for work. I have since worn it to a wake and a retirement party. It allows me to dress it up or down and still use my feeding tube. This little jumper makes me feel like a pretty girl again. I miss being able to wear dresses and look forward to more fashion-forward designs from Vertige Adaptive.”
“That part broke me,” Haley shares. “Because at the end of the day, don’t we all just want to feel confident in our bodies?”
For Young People Still Figuring It Out
To teens and young adults navigating chronic illness, Haley offers this:
“Your confidence isn’t dependent on how others see you. Dress how you want. Show up how you need to. The people who get it will stick around.”
Fashion can’t cure a condition. But it can restore a sense of normalcy in a world that often forgets how much dignity matters.
And for Haley Schwartz and Vertige Adaptive, that’s the whole point.
Where's Hailey Going From Here
Originally from the Chicago suburbs, Haley Schwartz now calls New York City home—a fitting backdrop for a designer rewriting the future of fashion.
She's graduated with a degree in fashion design from the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan. And since then, Haley has made her mark, winning the inaugural PETE Prize for Entrepreneurs in 2022. The award came with startup funding and office space—just the launchpad she needed to turn Vertige Adaptive from vision into reality.
Now based in NYC, Haley is building a brand with national reach and personal impact—one thoughtfully designed piece at a time. With new collections on the horizon and a growing community of customers, Haley isn’t just designing clothes.
She’s designing a movement.
Learn More & Shop
👗 Visit: vertigeadaptive.com
📲 Follow: @vertigeadaptive on Insta
💬 Know someone who needs this story? Share it!
About the Author:
Elizabeth Rago is a storyteller, strategist, and community builder who’s equally at home writing compelling content or navigating teenage chaos with tea in hand.
A seasoned writer with 20+ years of experience across industries—from mental health and design to insurance and advocacy—she’s also the founder of MDW (The Modern Domestic Woman), a no-fluff resource hub for women in transition.
Whether she’s ghostwriting for execs or spotlighting small-town gems, Elizabeth brings heart, humor, and a fierce belief in the power of connection. Learn more at MDWcares.com or find her on Instagram and LinkedIn.