Testimonials

The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is thrilled is to be the beneficiary of proceeds from Izzy Camilleri’s t-shirts, designed by Sophie Morgan. Izzy’s innovative line of stylish adaptive clothing aligns perfectly with our mission of enabling those living with paralysis to lead active, independent lives,

Maggie Goldberg, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications, The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.

'Izzy's talent and innovative vision, teamed with her compassion and understanding has created a clothing label that will not only help to improve the confidence and lifestyles of disabled women, but will hopefully act as a catalyst for change in how disabled people are considered. Her clothes fill a gap in every disabled woman's wardrobe; giving hope to those who for so long have had to compromise their personal taste for comfort, cost or practicality. IZ is as ground breaking as it is stylish, as comfortable as it is empathetic and should be considered so compulsory for disabled women that it should be on prescription! Thank you Izzy for shinning your light into the darkness that has been covering adaptable clothing for so long!

Sophie Morgan

My name is Patti VanLandschoot and I have multiple sclerosis.
I was extremely excited when I discovered Izzy and her adaptable clothing line . I immediately contacted her to see what she could do for me; I discovered the possibilities were endless and I couldn't believe it that somebody had finally thought about all the trials and tribulations that a disabled person goes through trying to find proper fitted clothing.
Izzy has made me pants & a shirt but my favourite item she has made me so far is my winter coat; I now do not mind going out in my wheelchair in the winter. She has thought of all the little things needed/required to make it extremely easy to get dressed plus the clothing line is very stylish.
Anyone who needs assistance with dressing, etc. Needs to contact Izzy to make their life easier; I know she's helped me!

Patti VanLandschoot

It can be very difficult at times to find stylish clothes that are easy to put on when you are disabled so, when I was invited to attend a house party that my neighbour was having back in the fall of 2009 featuring Izzy Camilleri's collection of disabled clothing I jumped at the chance. There have been many times over the years when I have wanted to purchase clothes that I would see in the stores but, have not been able to do so because of how clothes are designed. An example of this would be the tightness in the arms of a leather jacket which I was never able to purchase until Izzy's collection of adaptive clothing. I'm actually in the process of saving up to purchase a leather jacket from Izzy and I am looking forward to that very much.

Jennifer McMillan.

I worked in the business world prior to my injury where I dressed fashionably. I struggled to find suitable clothing for outings after my injury until I read an article in the Toronto Sun introducing Izzy Camilleri as a clothing designer for disabled people! I contacted Izzy and she has made me accessible pants, shirts and jackets to suit my disability!

Val Cleroux

During a particularly traumatic time, a wheelchair bound friend of mine, needed to look really great for the memorial service of her husband. I had heard of Izzy’s line through a clip on a Toronto TV show. I hit the internet and found Izzy’s name and all information to reach her, plus her line of clothing for special needs people. I dropped her an email, and she responded to me almost instantly. I was pretty concerned as I needed these clothes in short order, but she assured me that she would be able to accommodate me. She turned out a beautifully made outfit for my friend, that looked fantastic on her. It was a great boost to her morale and she was comfortable and fashionable at the same time.

Izzy makes beautiful clothes for almost any occasion from this line. I can not tell you how appreciative I was in being able to help find an outfit for my friend, nor can I say enough about the care and concern Izzy had in helping me out during this difficult time. She is terrific!

Glenda Hughes

Growing up with a disability meant a lot of different things. I learned early that it meant or seemed to mean, certain things weren't for us. Fashion was one of those things. All my life I've had to struggle to wear and look the way I choose. I was lucky though, I grew up in a very progressive family and my Father just happened to be in the fashion industry. To whatever degree possible I wore what I chose. Still once I was at school I'd be called picky, or fancy for wanting to look right. Different attendants or health care aids would complain that jeans were too hard to handle. At every turn loose jogging pants were suggested. My family and I of course never caved. Sadly though many of my contemporaries did. This point of capitulation forever altered what they'd allow themselves or in some cases, even think was possible. Ease of use trumped style not because it was what they'd wish. but because it had been dictated. I have always railed as hard against this as I could. I strongly believe that anyone in a wheelchair should have the clothes they imagine themselves in. Too often those visions marred or disregarded for what's easiest.

When I heard about Izzy Camilleri's new line I was beyond intrigued. The concept of adapted clothing isn't new. However until now it has mostly forsaken style for function. I shudder when I see a young guy who's lost mobility in his arms relegated to wearing a shawl or cape type thing. What's worse is, so many just fold into submission thinking this is the way it HAS to be. Izzy's line is a resounding and triumphant NO to those who might give up. She proves garment by garment that style is not solely the domain of the able bodied world. She is able to invisibly allow for certain special needs without the outside world even knowing. Her jackets separate for ease of getting on and off but, once zipped up they are seamless and even sleek! Izzy's work brings adapted clothing and it's wearer, into the spotlight like never before.

This line is different than anything before it in so many ways. This is someone with a true fashion background acknowledging us. It is a validation, and quite possibly a chance to chip away at the stereotypes of what "disabled" is, or looks like. It is for these reasons and so many more I stand so firmly in support of Izzy's vision and this line.

Regan Quinn Grant

As a wheelchair-user I would never want to be defined by my chair. My personality and talents transcend these physical boundaries; I embrace the freedom to define myself through my actions and my appearance. Thanks to the innovative IZ clothing line, there now exist options that were never available to me before. I can choose to wear high-quality, fashionable yet timeless and meticulously tailored clothing to complement my body. A body that has changed drastically because of my "seated" lifestyle but a body that still houses my spirit, one that has remained unchanged post-injury. The garments that Izzy has created allow me to have greater self-confidence and more avenues for self-expression. And for that I am truly grateful.

Carolyn Pioro SUPER FAN!

I'd like to congratulate you, as much as I'd like to thank you, for achieving what I was certain was unachievable. Your iz line is thoughtful, functional, beautiful and fashionable. It gives dignity to us "seated clientele" like nothing before it. In a way, it's like permission to be fashionable and feel good about how we look.

In short, it feels like a gift and for that I am grateful.

Barbara Turnbull

I have purchased several items from IZ Design for my Mother. The clothes by IZ Designs have an easy elegance about them. The design is sensitive to needs of my Mother and the attractive tailoring details of the garments contribute to an ease of wear. The choice of fabrics and linings is provides the wearer with a style that is spirited. My Mother enjoys wearing the stylish Swing Coat and greeted the thirsty terry bathrobe as a welcome addition to her bathing routine. The clothes are well made and the fabrics that Izzy chooses are always in keeping to the heavy wear for the garment.

Natalie

I have admired Izzy Camilleri, Toronto’s renowned haute couture designer, since first viewing the young fashion designer’s early collections in the mid ‘80’s. Following on her international successes, the fast-growing local film production industry beckoned, and Izzy was soon occupied almost exclusively with custom designing for film and television.

Fortunately for women with disabilities everywhere, Izzy’s career change inadvertently gave birth to her IZ Collection of Adaptable Clothing. Set out below is a brief history of the IZ Collection, based on personal knowledge and my own involvement with Izzy’s project.

The IZ Collection is the first, and only, custom collection of adaptable apparel ever created specifically for contemporary women of style who use wheelchairs; or as Izzy nicely terms us, her “seated clientele”. The inspiration for her revolutionary concept in adaptable clothing design arose from a chance meeting several years ago.

During filming of a television documentary, Izzy was introduced to well-known journalist, Barbara Turnbull. Barbara was in need of suitable outerwear, and commissioned Izzy to create custom designs for her. Further requests came from other young women living with full or partial paralysis, including former aerialist, Carolyn Pioro, who can be seen in Izzy’s on-line demonstration videos. As Izzy subsequently related to me, she was shocked by the non-existence of fashionable, suitable, wardrobe options for women who use wheelchairs, even those with the means to employ custom tailors.

Designing and executing those first garments to accommodate each client’s unique needs was difficult and challenging, even for a high fashion designer of Izzy’s calibre, and required a huge investment of thought and time spent researching, experimenting and assembling each individual piece. But witnessing her clients’ emotional response to her creations, and sharing their joy, made the experience profoundly satisfying for Izzy, both personally and professionally. She resolved to build on what she had accomplished to produce a full collection of beautiful, stylish and functional clothing, at reasonable price point levels, for women in wheelchairs.

The on-line custom collection bearing her IZ label was launched in the Spring of 2009; and ever since, Izzy has been inundated with an unexpected flood of inquiries, orders and appeals from the disabled community, and others, to extend her collection to include designs for men and children and increase retail availability. Every week brings thousands of hits on her website from around the world.

Although I have had multiple sclerosis for many years, I had remained relatively active until disease progression forced me permanently into a wheelchair. Increasing upper body impairment placed obvious restrictions on my outside activities, but that was compounded by a complete lack of available clothing affording style, comfort, fit, and freedom of movement. Independent excursions, especially in the colder months, were largely prohibited due to the absence of adequate outerwear. 

Izzy and I met and became friends last June. Excited by a newspaper article about her new project, I contacted her to place an order, and ended by volunteering my assistance to help develop this remarkable venture. She has created brilliant designs for seated women, and is passionately committed to her mission of providing fashionable, functional and affordable apparel to women and men with varying degrees of paralysis. Izzy intuitively understands that providing real clothing options for people with physical disabilities involves deeper issues of restoring dignity, self-confidence and personal autonomy.

She has now completed a new, pared-down, line of ready-to-wear for women and men, to be mass-manufactured for economical pricing. Of course, retail chains are interested in licensing and branding her designs for sale through their own on-line operations, but Izzy has held back: primarily, because she is dedicated to her concept that her designs must be made available in a wider price range; and further, that physically disabled wheelchair users should have the opportunity to shop, view their purchases and be fitted in attractive, accessible retail store locations, an option which does not currently exist.

If Izzy can grow her business in accordance with her vision, and the inevitable generic imitators follow her lead, then her dream of enhancing the lives of wheelchair users everywhere, with the resulting broader social and economic benefits to the community as a whole, will become a reality.

Last week, Canada ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities calling for freedom of access to education, the workplace, and the marketplace. Once again, Izzy Camilleri is ahead of the curve.

Julie Gibson