Pegi Harps, Parents

Pegi Harps has experienced a problem most parents never face.

Her son Nicholas, 28, has Down syndrome, and she struggled to find clothes that fit him.

“Finding clothes is very difficult for Nick,” Harps said. “If you get pants to fit around the waist then they are too long. We try to look for pants with elastic around the waist and sometimes have to go to the ladies department and hope they have them in petite.”

“Long-sleeve shirts can be a big issue with Nick having short arms and a thick neck.”

Harps said she usually hem the pants and roll up the sleeves on shirts or have him wear a sweater.

Although Harps has not purchased clothes from Downs Designs, she followed its progress on Facebook and expects to buy from Downs Designs in the future.

“It’s a one-stop shop, and we will save a lot on gas,” Harps said. “It would be nice to know that we can go to one place and buy all of Nick’s clothes.”

Jillian Jankovsky, Designer

Jillian Jankovsky is not new to fashion.

The Virginia Marti College of Art and Design graduate and designer for Downs Designs learned the “tricks of the trade” from her mother.

“I got into design because I grew up with a mother who sews, and I learned how to sew at a young age,” Jankovsky said. “And I have always loved clothing.”

Jankovsky said she loves to see the results and to watch her designs become reality. She said she is excited to design a full-line of clothing for people of all ages who have Down syndrome.

More importantly, Jankovsky said she feels fortunate to work at Downs Designs.

“I accepted the job with Downs Designs because I wanted a job that wasn’t just designing clothing,” Jankovsky said. “I wanted to have a job where I could help people. I got lucky and found a great job designing clothing for people that really need help.”

Karen Bowersox, Owner

Karen Bowersox never lets her age stand in her way.

At 62 years old, Bowersox has had three successful businesses. Although she admits her age entered her mind when starting Downs Designs, her love for her granddaughter, who has Down syndrome, was much greater.

“Just starting another business at my age is a little unnerving,” Bowersox said. “But the deep emotion that I feel is my passion to help people like my granddaughter.”

Nearly 5.8 million people have Down syndrome; a condition characterized by shorter limbs, a thicker neck and waist, and delayed fine motor skills.

Although Bowersox doesn’t have experience making clothes, her determination to keep people with Down syndrome from rolling up another sleeve or pant leg leads her way.

“I see Downs Designs eventually offering a full-line of clothing that changes the lives of people with Down syndrome of all ages,” Bowersox said. “They have enough challenges to face in their lives every day, and I want to see their clothing challenges as one fewer thing they have to deal with on a daily basis.”