The Creative Spark Big Idea Challenge gives young creative entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch and develop their business ideas. With a vision that fashion should be accessible to everyone, Mahammad Kekalov created KEKALOVE Adaptive, an innovative and inclusive clothing brand that he believes will shape the future of fashion.
The catalyst
Mahammad’s idea to design adaptive fashion first came about from watching his grandmother Salima living with a long-term disability. As an undergraduate at Azerbaijan State University of Economics, Mahammad started researching opportunities to develop inclusive clothing. Bringing together fashion, engineering skills and awareness of the needs of disabled people, Mahammad began to develop cutting-edge clothing that can make a real difference in people’s lives.
The spark
In 2020 Mahammad entered our Big Idea Challenge, part of Creative Spark. Young creative entrepreneurs, aged 18–25, pitch and develop their own business ideas and build enterprise skills as part of the challenge. As a proud winner of the Creative Spark Big Ideas Challenge, he received funding, mentorship, and connection to business support from UK experts. Creative Spark was integral in the launch of his online store and the evolution of his business.
The Success
Mahammad is committed to helping to break down barriers facing disabled people and his continued success is supporting the development of a more inclusive fashion industry. He also uses his brand to challenge stereotypes and lobbies for the inclusion of disabled people in society.
‘I am working to transform our fashion brand into an advocate for adaptive design and disability inclusion.’ - Mahammad Kekalov
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