Founded by celebrated Canadian fashion designer and pioneer of adaptive fashion, Izzy Camilleri, IZ Adaptive, has announced the release of its latest expanded adaptive fashion collection.
Since closing the doors to customers at the end of 2016, IZ Adaptive (formerly known as IZ Collection), now has a refreshed business model. Specially designed for adults with physical disabilities, the ready-to-wear apparel brand, now features a broader product offering, more accessible price points, and a new wholesale component – all contributing to an increased global reach.
At a time when inclusivity is at the centre of conversation in the fashion industry, Camilleri’s new IZ Adaptive line will feature wardrobe basics for people with disabilities, which include both wheelchair and ambulatory users.
Slated for release on launch on September 24th, the 55-piece collection will includes tees, denim and jackets across men’s, women’s and un-gender categories. Functional design elements such as magnetic closures, pull tabs on zippers and pants, elastic waist bands and open back tops have been incorporated to make the activity of getting dressed easier for people with disabilities, while bringing more independence to them.
The collection is priced from $25 USD for a t-shirt to $425 USD for a men’s suit.
In the past two years, inclusive design has gained mainstream interest as brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Target, Nike and Under Armour embrace adaptive collections within their formats. Leading retailers such as Zappos and Macy’s, will be among the first to add the IZ Adaptive range to their portfolio of adaptive clothes and shoes.
“Macy’s has a long-standing and respected history of support for diversity, and inclusiveness is a core tenet of our company philosophy,” Kristyn Doar-Page, Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion at Macy’s, said in a release. “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.”
According to data shared by World Health Organization, more than one billion people in the world (15 percent of the total population) live with some form of disability, of whom nearly 200 million experience considerable difficulties in functioning. “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.” Izzy Camilleri, CEO and Founder of IZ Adaptive, said.
A pioneer in the adaptive space, IZ Adaptive first debuted in 2009 when Izzy Camilleri made the shift from runway couture to accessible fashion for wheelchair users. By designing with disability in mind, Camilleri aims to make getting dressed easier for everyone, and empowering them at the same time.
IZ Adaptive is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Visit www.izadaptive.com for more information.