Located in Rainbow Row in downtown Bellefontaine, Proof Pop-Up Shop is designed to give growing businesses the opportunity to test retail in a fully furnished storefront before committing to a long-term lease. The space allows entrepreneurs, makers, and small brands to connect with customers, gain real-world retail experience, and introduce their products to the community in a vibrant downtown setting.
One of the newest brands to join the space is Freed By Design.
Freed By Design is an adaptive clothing brand created to make getting dressed easier, more comfortable, and more dignified for individuals living with chronic illness, disabilities, mobility challenges, or medical devices. But beyond functionality, the brand also brings a unique aesthetic that you don’t always see in adaptive fashion — urban, grunge, and street-inspired styles designed with younger generations in mind.
The founder’s inspiration for the brand is deeply personal. After being diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis at just 18 years old, she began noticing a major gap in the clothing industry. Many adaptive clothing options available were designed with practicality in mind but didn’t reflect the style or identity of younger people living with chronic illness or disabilities.
That experience sparked a passion for functional design. She went on to study fashion design and merchandising, and eventually that vision became Freed By Design.
One thing many people don’t realize about the brand is that Freed By Design offers both adaptive and non-adaptive pieces, allowing the clothing to reach a wider audience while still maintaining accessibility at its core. The brand focuses on women’s adaptive clothing while also offering everyday wear pieces that carry the same street-inspired aesthetic.
Freed By Design has been operating since 2024 and is currently available online as well as locally inside Proof Pop-Up Shop in downtown Bellefontaine through May 2026.
Being part of Proof allows growing brands like Freed By Design to connect with the community, test retail in a real storefront environment, and introduce more people to what they’re creating. The brand is also excited about potential collaborations with fellow vendors and participating in events happening throughout downtown.
Visit Freed By Design at Proof
Freed By Design is currently popping up inside Proof Pop-Up Shop in Rainbow Row in downtown Bellefontaine.
Store hours are currently being finalized and may vary week to week as the brand settles into the space. The best way to stay up to date on shopping hours and events is by following the Proof Pop-Up Shop Facebook page, where weekly updates will be shared.
