October 01, 2025Interview

Unhidden's Victoria Jenkins: Life-Saving Surgery to Successful Disabled Founder

Fashion has long overlooked disabled people, but Victoria Jenkins is changing that. After her own terrifying health crisis, it was being in hospital that led to a complete shift in how she lived and worked. Victoria took her experience and created something powerful: Unhidden. From hospital conversations to resilience, advocacy and A LOT of hard work - this is Victoria’s story, in her own words.

My Story

I studied fashion design at Istituto Marangoni in London, on Fashion Street of all places. It was a brilliantly creative three years where I experimented with shapes, draping, and the history of costume and fashion. I’d say we covered absolutely everything - except adaptive fashion - the area I now work in.

After graduating in 2008, I did internships, made wedding dresses in my spare time, and landed my first job as a pattern cutter for an e-commerce brand. That role grew into garment technology: measuring garments, checking fit, managing construction methods and sizing. Over the years I worked with suppliers for Tesco, Primark, Jack Wills, and AllSaints, before landing my dream role at Victoria Beckham and then going freelance.

In 2012, my life changed. I nearly died from an undiagnosed stomach ulcer that burst. As I was wheeled to surgery, doctors told my mum I had a 50/50 chance of surviving. After years of being dismissed - told it was “women’s problems” or that I was too young for anything serious, it was both terrifying and infuriating.

From then on came more conditions, surgeries, and diagnoses. I had to accept that I wasn’t going to 'get better'.

Disability & Me

I was 26 when I became disabled. Before that, my only experience was a broken ankle or physio for back pain. In all honesty, I associated disability with older people, until overnight, it became my reality.

As a garment technologist, my aspirations disappeared. My focus became survival: just getting through the working week and keeping a roof over my head. I was terrified of losing work. I even wrote “chronically sick but managed” on my CV instead of “disabled,” because otherwise I wouldn’t get an interview. Survival, not thriving, was the outlook.

Pretending I was fine held me back. Life only got easier when I accepted my limitations and learned to work around them. I found huge support in online communities. Social media, despite its flaws, connected me with people worldwide who truly understand what I go through.

The Start of Unhidden

The idea of Unhidden was born in hospital in 2016. Following a surgery, a fellow patient told me she couldn’t wear what she wanted to, for work, at home, or for social events. From my hospital bed, I grabbed my laptop and started researching adaptive fashion (not a habit I advocate for - hospital beds are for resting!).

The name came to me at 5am one weekend. There was never another contender. I thought about what I was hoping this brand could be for the community and Unhidden felt right, and still does today. I love when people instantly understand why.

Society’s View of Disability

Disability still isn’t well understood. People have a narrow mindset about what “counts.” I blame the media, history, and governments for how we’re perceived.

The truth is, life with disability isn’t always doom and gloom. We’re not all out to take advantage of the state. We can and do live full, happy, and successful lives. What hurts most is disability being seen as negative or shameful. Every single one of us has value, not tied to productivity - everyone is worth more than the work they can or can't do.

Support and Struggles

My biggest supports have been the friends I've made over the years and my amazing PA, Zelda, who I gained through Access to Work. She has been life-changing for me. She knows my quirks and can spot when I’ve done too much. Seeing other disabled people thrive gives me hope, and seeing other people step in to adaptive fashion makes me so happy. On the days that feel extra heavy, seeing the impact my work has made on others lives, really helps.

The hardest struggle? Getting others to understand. I’m used to pain, nausea, fatigue, but when people don’t see or believe it, life gets harder. I don't 'look sick' which can ake it hard to get the support I need sometimes. It can even be other disabled people questioning me sometimes, and that really hurts.

Don’t bottle it up or put on a brave face. You’ll only hurt yourself, and those around you won’t get the chance to support you.

Mobility Aids

I got my first stick just before lockdown, I'd actually only gone out with it in public a couple of times before we got shut away! It took me a long time to accept it was going to make my life easier. I felt exposed, and honestly I was unsure if I really “deserved” one. Over time I realised it made life so much easier.

In 2024, I got a pair of Black Glitter Cool Crutches. Until then, I'd only used walking sticks. The cuff on a crutch made it easier to hold so it quickly became my preferred mobility aid, plus having a pair means on bad days I can use both for extra support. The only down side, is that they can be a faff on public transport, which, being in London, I do use - but overall, I am in much less pain when I use them, so they are my go-to.

Career Highlights

Not everyone realises how much goes on behind the scenes. A lot of what I do is behind closed doors, same goes for all business founders. However, I do have so many standout moments from the last few years.

My TEDx talk was a pivotal moment for me. It was the most scared I’ve ever been on stage and I've never been this nervous since.
Our first photoshoot is a core memory, and at that time, I had no idea that I would be here today (although lots of others did).
Filming Unique Boutique was surreal and emotional, I really wish they would recommission it.
The first runway show was incredible. I never had hope to even do a runway show, my sights were set on being a retailer so this is super special.
Last but not least, seeing the Primark range in store. It still feels surreal. I get photos from people all over the world standing in front of it (I can't wait to share what's next!)

The Luxuries That Make Life Easier

Lash lifts & lip stains – it's less effort which means I can just roll out of bed in the morning and still have a base level of confidence when I head out.
Laundry pick-up service – a lifesaver when I’m overwhelmed. It's not something I used all the time, but makes a HUGE difference when I do.
My electric blanket – I had to mention it - it's almost surgically attached to me!

What’s Next

I’ve literally just done my third runway show which was amazing. In terms of what's ahead, I can't say too much, but we’ve got a big launch coming in February. We’re also talking with incredible brands to bring more choice to more people.