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Mother hopes to raise awareness, funds with clothing line

The Herald Journal - 6/6/2017

Laci Smith’s new clothing line, Fragile Chaos Apparel, was designed with two purposes in mind: one, to bring awareness of disabilities with trendy, fashionable clothing; and two, to raise enough money to take her four kids to Harry Potter World.

Three of the Smiths’ four children have Fragile X syndrome, a genetic condition that affects the X chromosome, and autism.

“They’ve always wanted to go to Harry Potter World, and it’s a lot to take three autistic children to something that big,” Smith said. “We have to do a lot of planning, and it takes a little more expense because we need to hire personal guides to help and provide more of a VIP access so it’s less stimulating and not overwhelming.”

Smith has designed logos for businesses around Preston and for the Preston Junior High football team and decided to put that talent to use on a more personal level.

“When you look online for things like shirts to spread autism awareness, they’re just not real trendy,” said Smith. “We wanted something that would be an actual apparel line that we could make bigger and appeal to a wider audience, not just to parents of autistic children.”

“The name ‘Fragile Chaos’ comes from the Fragile X and the chaos that comes from having three children with disabilities,” Smith said. “The slogan on the design is ‘Fragile not Broken,’ because they’re not broken; they are just fragile with their life.”

Smith paid extra attention to the details of the clothing that sometimes bother kids.

“I’m trying to do things so if your child does have texture issues then they can handle wearing the clothing. They’re a little more money because of the quality, but I wanted them to be a really good quality and not just a basic T-shirt with a scratchy collar.”

In addition, the jackets are made of moisture-wicking fabric that won’t absorb odor for kids that are sensitive to smell.

For now, Smith is selling the clothing through her Facebook page, fb.com/FragileChaosApparel, and has one design available. “In a couple of months we’ll come out with another design, but we’re just going to do two designs a year for now because we keep our inventory low,” she said.

Fragile Chaos is starting out as a fundraiser, but it’s starting to take off. After posting the clothing line on a Fragile X chat room, she received some orders from surprising places.

“Martin Perez, pitcher for the Texas Rangers, ordered one; he has a nephew with it,” Smith said. “A police commissioner in California ordered shirts for all of his law enforcement members who have a child with autism. And a singer from the group Royal Bliss ordered them for his band.”

Smith has been excited to see the response the design has received and looks forward to doing more.

“I would love to do an online boutique, not only to raise awareness, but to give a portion of the proceeds to families of children with a disability. That would be my dream,” Smith said. “The more aware people are of other people’s disabilities the more they know to be patient and kind and accepting.”

Laci Smith's kids model Fragile Chaos Apparel. From left: Dom, 13; Riot, 6; Seth, 16; Paisley, 10.

Becky Cox/Preston Citizen

Laci Smith's kids model Fragile Chaos Apparel. From left: Dom, 13; Riot, 6; Seth, 16; Paisley, 10.

Becky Cox/Preston Citizen