IZ Adaptive Launches Expanded Inclusive Fashion Collection
Designer Izzy Camilleri's adaptive apparel brand returns with an all new collection of accessible styles for people with disabilities
TORONTO, Sept. 24, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- IZ Adaptive, the ready-to-wear apparel brand designed for adults with physical disabilities, today announced the release of its expanded adaptive fashion collection. A pioneer in the adaptive space, IZ Adaptive first debuted in 2009 when Izzy Camilleri, one of Canada's most celebrated fashion designers, made the shift from runway couture to accessible fashion for wheelchair users. Since the brand's hiatus at the end of 2016, Camilleri has focused on refreshing the business model, which now features a broader product offering, more accessible price point, and new wholesale component – all contributing to an increased global reach. IZ Adaptive is available on IZAdaptive.com and leading retailers, Zappos and Macy's, will be among the first to add the brand to their portfolio of adaptive clothes and shoes.
"As Zappos Adaptive expands our product offering, we want to continue to work with brands that understand fashion just as much as function. IZ Adaptive is helping move that mission forward for our customers," said Derek Flores, Lead Buyer for Zappos Adaptive.
"Macy's has a long-standing and respected history of support for diversity, and inclusiveness is a core tenet of our company philosophy," said Kristyn Doar-Page, Macy's vice president of diversity and inclusion. "We admire Izzy Camilleri's passion for design and adaptive clothing, and are honored to offer the new IZ Adaptive line to our customers with disabilities looking for fashionable and accessible choices. With much needed solutions, from basics like tees, denim and coats, we know the thoughtful design and adaptive features of her pieces will truly resonate with our customer."
The new IZ Adaptive line features wardrobe basics for people with disabilities, both wheelchair users and those who are ambulatory. The 55-piece launch collection includes tees, denim and jackets across men's, women's and non-binary categories; pricing ranges from $25 USD for a t-shirt to $425 USD for a men's suit. Design elements like magnetic closures, pull tabs on zippers and pants, elastic waist bands and open back tops make getting dressed easier for everyone, while bringing more independence to people with disabilities. Approximately 60 percent of the IZ Adaptive collection is designed specifically for wheelchair users.
"I'm thrilled to release the new IZ Adaptive collection," said Izzy Camilleri, CEO and Founder of IZ Adaptive. "It has been a labor of love and we're looking forward to catering to both a new group of customers, who will benefit from our adaptive features, and our original audience, who has been extremely supportive. Both Zappos and Macy's are powerhouse leaders in the retail industry and we're elated to have them on board to support our mission to provide accessible fashion to as many people as possible."
#PerfectFit
Fueling Camilleri's design strategy for the new IZ Adaptive line is the concept of a "perfect fit," something unique yet relatable to everyone when it comes to clothing and to life. Since 2009, her team has worked closely with the disabled community to understand their fit needs; these stories are shared through a series of video interviews – found at www.izadaptive.com/pages/perfectfit – in which individuals speak to their idea of a perfect fit. For the opportunity to share your story, submit your #PerfectFit video in the link above.
About IZ Adaptive
IZ Adaptive is a ready-to-wear apparel line designed for adults with physical disabilities. A leader in the adaptive space, the revamped brand features wardrobe basics like tees, denim, coats, and other casual wear with adaptive design features that make getting dressed more accessible to everyone. Fashion designer Izzy Camilleri founded the company in 2009, as one of the first brands to launch a truly inclusive apparel collection. By designing with disability in mind, Camilleri aims to make getting dressed easier for everyone, and to help empower people to feel their best through fashion. IZ Adaptive is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. For more information, visit www.izadaptive.com.
About Izzy Camilleri
Izzy Camilleri is one of Canada's leading and most celebrated fashion designers, and a pioneer in disability fashion design. She has received awards such as CAFA's Womenswear Designer of the Year Award, and her adaptive line has been featured in the Royal Ontario Museum. In 2016, she had the honor of wardrobing Canadian rock singer Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip for his final sold-out tour, Man Machine Poem. For more than 30 years, Camilleri has designed custom clothing for an international clientele, crafted gorgeous collections featured in fashion magazines from Vogue to InStyle, and has dressed famous faces like Daniel Radcliffe, Mark Wahlberg, Meryl Streep, Angelina Jolie and David Bowie. For the past 10 years, Camilleri has focused on inclusive fashion through her brand IZ Adaptive (formerly called IZ Collection), with the mission to make great looking and fitting clothes accessible to everyone. To learn more about Camilleri, visit www.izzycamilleri.com.
Media Contact:
Farrell Klein and Jamie Madrid-Han
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SOURCE IZ Adaptive
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