To Table of Contents worn by celebrities . “ When I ventured into the adaptive area , it was - hey - what ?” Many people couldn ’ t understand why she would leave her shiny career to move into a new area . But it was clear to Izzy . “ I felt like there was so much out there for the able-bodied community but nothing for the disabled community , so I felt good about putting my talents there . It felt right ; I felt propelled in that direction .”
From the beginning , IZ Adaptive focused on wardrobe basics like jeans , track pants , coats . They made them to be comfortable and stylish , something people could dress up or dress down . Their most popular item is the Game Changer jeans , Izzy adds , “ because I solved a problem I thought was impossible .”
People wanted a pant that had no seam down the back , a seamless bottom and no back pockets . Izzy learned that when people sit all day on a bulky seam , they can develop pressure sores . These can lead to an infection , which can turn into sepsis . People can die from a pressure sore ; even if they do heal , which could take a year , the odds of it coming back are up to 80 %. The problem is more complicated for people who are paralyzed and don ’ t feel the discomfort .
Izzy reflects , “ I didn ’ t think it was possible to create a pant with a seamless bottom . That seam is integral to the construction of the pant , separating right from left , front from back .” Seamless pants using a drop crotch create another problem : sitting on bulky layers of fabric can also create a pressure sore . “ Garments are like puzzles , all the pieces fit together to create the right shape ,” Izzy says , detailing the many challenges and considerations in creating adaptive clothing . “ You have to understand the issues and obstacles or you could potentially hurt someone .”
The now-famous brand took time to gain acclaim . In the beginning , no retailer or department store would carry her line . They didn ' t understand it , didn ’ t think there was a market for it . “ The ball got rolling in 2018 , when we were featured in The Guardian and Forbes . People started to see this was an untapped market . The media found me because there were so few players in this market . The press and social media spread the word about us .”
“ What makes our brand different is that we focus only on adaptive clothing , have years of experience and a strong base . Wearers can enjoy more freedom and independence , can spend a couple more hours in their
chair without worrying about what they ’ re wearing .”
But IZ Adaptive is about more than clothes , it ’ s about selfesteem , comfort , a sense of self . “ People tell me that they couldn ' t wear jeans until they found mine , or they always wanted to wear a trench coat and now they can . People with disabilities are starting to be heard more than ever and so are their needs . They have been deprived of clothing options ; my brand provides those options .”
IZ Adaptive is available online . A visit to their Toronto studio is available by appointment . The retailer , Every Human , carries their items in Australia and New Zealand .