Ostomy Fashion Accessory
Osto•me fashion brand owner Paula Sojo designs ostomy covers that transform a medical device into a personal accessory. After undergoing ostomy surgery as part of her fight against Crohn’s disease, which involves redirecting stool or urine outside the body into a pouch system, Sojo understands the personal impact of living with an ostomy.
She prioritizes sustainability while designing for a wide range of ages, demonstrating the versatility of her products by creating an accessory that even a five-year-old wearing an ostomy pouch can use to feel confident on her first day of school (Vega, 2026).
I was struggling for so long with my ostomy. I hated it. I wanted to live without it. I was probably in the deepest darkest depression that I had ever been in until I got this package [containing a handmade ostomy cover from a family friend] to my hospital room (Sojo, 2026, 00:28).
Paula posted a Tik Tok revealing the evolution of her ostomy cover accessory brand, leading to over 900 positive comments on a single post.
"As someone with severe UC that has been refractory to all medications after years of trials, and will likely need a colostomy in the future, things like this make me less terrified so thank you" -Ellie Brown, TikTok comment section.
"I work in trauma and we end up with patients who need ostomys. Initially getting an ostomy is so traumatic and life changing. This is something I’m going to recommend to allow my patients more comfort. Maybe even something exciting for them to look into!" -Korrie Dygon, TikTok comment section.
The comments highlight how the day-to-day discomfort associated with using invasive medical devices for chronic medical conditions can be addressed through thoughtful design.
Paula continues to describe the range of materials and innovations she's developed with her ostomy bags, revealing the range of lifestyle activities one can use the product for.
And then came summertime, and I was thinking, how could would it be if I had a matching ostomy cover for my bathing suit that I could get wet and not only just get wet but also that it would dry rapidly. The swim cover. In the back it has a little eyelet that drains water that might pool in there when you are exiting any body of water. (Sojo, 2026, 02:57).
Next we have the cotton, this was just a tried and true staple. This was also really good for sensitive skin. And then this was me testing the waters. When you start a brand you have to start with like the safest option you think people will most generally like (Sojo, 2026, 02:10).
The importance of material choices for everyday use is also emphasized, particularly when considering the needs of fragile skin and the protection required during exposure to water or participation in sports and other physical activities. This is relevant to my capstone work with Battelle because it reinforces the importance of considering how a medical device interacts with a patient’s body and fits into their everyday life. Thoughtful material selection or aesthetic appeal could help reduce discomfort, prevent irritation or injury, and allow patients to engage more comfortably in activities that are important to them without letting a medical condition take too much control.
References:
Sojo, Paula. (2026, August 18). So crazy how life works out - I ended up designing just how little Pau always dreamed of #ostomy [Video]. TikTok. https://www.tiktok.com/@paulasojoro/video/7675410014974086418
Vega, A. (2026, February 17). Diagnosed with severe Crohn’s at 19, one woman is changing how the world sees ostomies through fashion (exclusive). PEOPLE. People.Com. https://people.com/crohns-survivor-ostomy-fashion-accessory-exclusive-11906634
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