Ailbhe and Izzy Keane, the Galway sisters behind the company Izzy Wheels, have just announced their biggest collaboration to date with the beloved film studio Disney.
If you're not familiar with Izzy Wheels, the company has been making waves (or should we say making tracks?) for the last five years for its colourful and vibrant wheelchair wheel covers. The idea was inspired by Izzy who was born with spina bifida and has spent most of her life in wheelchairs that she felt did not allow her to express her personality as she would like.
This motivated Ailbhe to design a range of eye-catching wheel covers for her final year project at the National College of Art and Design where she graduated from in 2016. Since launching the project, the sisters have gone on to collaborate with world famous brands such as Hello Kitty, Marvel and even Barbie, designing a wheelchair cover for the brand's wheelchair inclusive Fashionista Doll in 2019.
This latest collaboration with Disney will see Izzy Wheels have the rights to use a whole host of iconic characters on new designs including characters from Frozen, Toy Story, The Lion King and of course Mickey Mouse and co.
Advert
"Izzy Wheels empower wheelchair users to make a statement about themselves, it makes a person's wheelchair into a friendly object rather than something purely functional," explained Izzy. "Having stylish wheels on your chair that match your outfit or show off your interests immediately addresses the chair and opens conversation."
"It's been my long-time aim to challenge the perception of people who use wheelchairs and encourage people to look beyond the chair," says Ailbhe, who is the company's chief executive and creative director. "I want people to feel that their wheelchair is an extension of their personal style and a form of self-expression, which is why Disney is a fantastic partner."
Not only is this new project sure to delight wheelchair user Disney fans around the globe, the company will also be donating ten per cent of the profits from the range to Whizz-Kids, a charity which aims to transform the lives of disabled children in the UK. Izzy Wheels has also pledged to help Disney's Make-a-Wish project by designing customisable wheelchair covers.
To shop the Disney x Izzy Wheels range simply visit the company's official website here.
Featured Image Credit: Izzy WheelsTopics: Ireland