TORONTO, Sept. 23, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- It comes as no surprise that access to many things in life is limited for those who use wheelchairs. But what is surprising is how little is actually being done about it. Izzy Camilleri, renowned designer and founder of IZ, a provider of sophisticated and functional clothing for people using wheelchairs, is proud to announce a new campaign to raise funds and awareness for accessibility called Access10.
"IZ was created to give people with disabilities access to beautiful fashion," said Camilleri. "Now we want to take it one step further, when you buy from IZ, you're helping to make the world a little more accessible for everyone."
ACCESS10
September 2015 will mark the official launch of Access10 along with IZ's 2015 Fall collection and brand new e-commerce site. With every product purchased, IZ will give 10% of its total gross sales towards projects to help increase accessibility. This includes partnering with organizations such as Stop Gap to help mobilize teams to build brightly colored ramps in communities across North America.
Observed Camilleri, "There's no question that more needs to be done to not only change the landscape of accessibility, but to change the way people think about it too. While we realize that this isn't the perfect solution, we feel it's a push in the right direction and a great way to bring awareness to a problem that affects far too many."
As part of the campaign, Camilleri has designed a custom 'Fashion IZ Freedom' t-shirt, to give people with all abilities the chance to support and share IZ's message. These stylish tees available in grey and dark charcoal, come prewashed for that soft, 'favorite t-shirt' feel. The tees can be purchased online and 100% of all profits will go towards the company's mission of making the world a more accessible place.
"Having someone like Izzy, who does not have a disability, but creates clothing and speaks out on issues with those who do have disabilities, makes a big difference," commented Belle Owen, part of the team at IZ and a wheelchair user. "It goes beyond the clothes, it gives people the opportunity to express themselves."
2015 FALL COLLECTION
IZ's sexy and edgy pieces are cut to accommodate the frame of a seated person. The Fall 2015 collection features modern wardrobe essentials including an array of chic coats, capes and jackets, business attire and casual clothing with quality fabrics that look beautiful and feel luxurious. Unique and discrete functionality details like wrap-around waists, or open-snap and easy-zip back styles, make clothes easier to get into. Garments feature signature cuts and styles to fit a seated frame, falling and draping naturally without interfering with wheelchair mechanics.
"Fashion isn't the most inclusive world, but everyone should have the ability to look and therefore feel their best," remarked Suzanne Boyd, Editor-in-Chief of Zoomer magazine. "With the IZ Collection, Izzy provides quality, solutions-oriented, functional clothing without sacrificing the beautiful design aesthetic she is known for. The collection is stylish, modern, helpful, necessary and most of all covetable. Congratulations Izzy!"
Dr. Alex Palmer, Nora E. Vaughan Senior Curator, Textiles and Fashions, ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) who worked with Camillieri on the museum's 2014 Fashion Follows Form exhibit said, "For centuries and across the globe, fashion has been designed to hang off a standing figure. IZ has revolutionized this history by making fashions that are designed for sitting. This is a truly innovative line that transforms lives and the history of pattern making."
IZ 2015 Fall Collection and Fashion IZ Freedom T-shirts are available for purchase online at izcollection.com. 10% of total gross sales from all IZ collection purchases and 100% of the proceeds from t-shirt sales will go towards building ramps in communities across North America.
About IZ
As one of Canada's most celebrated fashion designers, Izzy Camilleri, has designed couture clothing that has been featured in Vogue and has dressed film industry A-listers like Angelina Jolie, David Bowie, Jennifer Lopez, and Meryl Streep. In 2004, came a turning point. A well-known Canadian journalist and wheelchair user contacted Izzy and asked her to design functional clothing that was also fashionable – something that certainly didn't exist at the time. The experience inspired Izzy to create IZ's first collection of style-savvy adaptable clothing created purposefully for a seated frame. Visit izcollection.com to learn more.
A photo accompanying this release is available at:
