Zappos Adaptive empowers customers with disabilities by offering a wide selection of adaptive styles from well-known brands, and collaborating with designers to create products that meet specific needs, such as magnetic closures, adjustable fits, and sensory-friendly fabrics. Through partnerships with brands like Nike, Sorel, and Reebok, as well as organizations like Runway of Dreams and the Special Olympics, Zappos Adaptive has earned industry-wide recognition as a leader in adaptive fashion and accessibility, helping to pave the way for a more inclusive fashion future.
My role as lead designer and art director was to create impactful visuals that resonated with an underserved audience, and ensure creative alignment for brand partnerships and marketing campaigns, creating a cohesive experience for the Zappos Adaptive brand across all platforms.
Zappos Adaptive x Sorel Collab
The Zappos Adaptive brand reflects the vibrant, diverse spirit of its community through a visual identity that’s both joyful and inclusive. From bold colors and playful patterns to clear, accessible typography, every design element is thoughtfully crafted to celebrate positivity and highlight the innovative features of the adaptive products it offers.
The result is an elevated and welcoming shopping experience. The brand combined editorial imagery with user-generated content to strike a balance between polished presentation and authentic community representation.
Zappos Adaptive Brand Guidelines
Brand guidelines were developed in close collaboration with creative agency Between State and the Zappos Adaptive team. Together, we crafted a system that balanced bold, expressive visuals with accessibility best practices—ensuring the brand feels welcoming, empowering, and easy to engage with across all platforms.
The highlight of my work with Adaptive was leading the visual design strategy for the Zappos partnership with the Special Olympics.
It was one of the most significant collaborations in company history, and it was an honor bringing it to life.
The 2022 Special Olympics USA Games delivered a world-class sporting event that celebrated the abilities of its athletes, while building partnerships fostering inclusion and acceptance for people with disabilities.
As the official footwear provider and a champion of adaptive fashion, Zappos joined forces with the Special Olympics on a far-reaching initiative that spanned web, print, and live activations. At the heart of the campaign was a Zappos-exclusive, limited-edition collection of Special Olympics merchandise, featuring inclusive designs from brands like Crocs, Reebok, UGG, and ASICS—launched on a dedicated landing page celebrating the athletes’ spirit. The partnership culminated at the Special Olympics event, where every athlete received a complimentary health screening and a pair of athletic shoes of their choice, underscoring commitment to empowerment and inclusion.
Zappos x Special Olympics Product Line
This was one of the largest, inclusive multifaceted partnerships that Zappos participated in as a sponsor. We were fortunate to have Alex as an integral part of the creative strategy, design of our special landing pages, national campaigns, and highlighting our brands and athletes throughout the entire event.
• Dana Zumbo, Business Development Manager, Zappos.com
The centerpiece of the partnership was a dedicated landing page on the Zappos Adaptive site, showcasing an exclusive product line from participating brands. An editorial shoot brought the campaign to life, celebrating the spirit and unity of the athletes.
My design approach emphasized the athletes as the true heroes—using oversized frames and border-breaking compositions to create a sense of depth and energy. The page was crafted in close collaboration with the Special Olympics creative team, resulting in a campaign so resonant that several styles sold out within hours of launch.
