Joe & Bella, Award-Winning Adaptive-Apparel Brand for Older Adults, Welcomes New Board Members
CHICAGO, IL — Joe & Bella, an apparel brand that’s transforming the dressing experience for older adults, has named an advisory board that will support the brand’s growth and further its connection to the senior-housing industry.
“We’re excited to launch our board with four individuals who bring diverse experience within senior care and great insight to our work,” said Joe & Bella CEO Jimmy Zollo. “We have worked diligently to ensure that our board includes proven leaders committed to improving the lives of older adults through real innovation.”
“Joe & Bella’s board includes an innovative senior-housing operator, one of the largest senior-housing insurers, and one of the fastest-growing senior-housing capital providers,” said Zollo. “Our goal is to work closely with senior housing to ensure that our products make the lives of their residents and staff safer and easier, while being an innovation engine for future concepts.”
The board includes:
- Sevy Petras, CEO of Priority Life Care
- Jason Zuccari, Hamilton Insurance; Board Member, Hilarity for Charity
- Tony Ruberg, Senior Managing Director at VIUM Capital
- Scott Blount, Senior Managing Director at VIUM Capital
“What Joe & Bella is creating is what has been long needed for senior-housing residents and their families,” said Sevvy Petras, CEO of Priority Life Care. “Joe & Bella provides a double advantage: clothes that residents love to wear because of their premium style and comfort, but that also make the dressing process easier and quicker, in turn saving caregivers precious time, stress, and strain,” she added.
Joe & Bella is also backed by ThirdAct Ventures, the original “agetech” VC, and The Ember Group, which is led by Paul Blum, the former CEO of apparel brands Fred Segal, Juicy Couture, David Yurman, and Kenneth Cole.
“I’m thrilled to support the growth of Joe & Bella as this brand reimagines apparel by creating premium clothes that adhere to universal design and truly make a difference in people’s lives,” said Ruberg. “They’re laser-focused on their mission of creating beautiful clothes for older adults of all abilities.”
Blount said that he’s pleased that Joe & Bella is quickly gaining attention among consumers and industry experts, adding “their apparel will make a meaningful impact in the lives of so many.”
“Products and services that instantly improve the lives of residents, while also saving precious time for senior housing staff are more important than ever,” said Jason Zuccari of Hamilton Insurance. “Residents that require assistance in dressing and toileting are helped on average at least 12 times per day. Quality adaptive apparel can make a meaningful impact to save caregiver time while extending the independence of many residents,” he added.
Joe & Bella has brought on top designers to reimagine the adaptive-apparel space by blending innovation in form and function. Cara Sumpton was on the original Lululemon design team and later designed Figs, which disrupted the medical-scrub category through its premium styles.
“Adaptive apparel is the label that’s been given to clothes that have enhanced features that make dressing easier. We take that at least two steps further with premium materials and sleek closure systems to create easy-on, ultra-comfortable clothes that are stylish,” explained Sumpton. “The work we’re doing with Joe & Bella is the most meaningful we’ve ever embarked on,” she added.
About Joe & Bella
Founded by the father-son team of Peter and Jimmy Zollo, Joe & Bella is a Chicago-based adaptive apparel brand that is committed to innovating fashionable clothing for older adults. Our mission — to bring more dignity, joy, and ease to the lives of older adults and those who care for them — drives the design, construction and quality of our clothes. With thoughtful adaptations, our clothes help older adults experiencing cognitive, motor and/or mobility changes dress and undress with less stress and pain while providing ease for caregivers.
For more information, visit www.JoeandBella.com.
