Izzy Wheels Turns Your Wheelchair Into a Fashion Statement

Ailbhe Keane is the founder and creative director of Izzy Wheels, a brand that creates colourful wheel covers for wheelchairs.

Ailbhe’s younger sister, Izzy, was born with spina bifida and is paralyzed from her waist down. During her final year at The National College of Art and Design in Dublin, Ailbhe noticed that Izzy’s wheelchair was always the first thing people noticed about her but it wasn’t a reflection of her exuberant personality.

Together the sisters created a range of stylish wheel covers for Izzy’s chair that expressed her individuality and playful fashion. Their motto became ‘If you can’t stand up, stand out!’ What started as a passion project went viral on social media (with 16 million views in one week) and Izzy Wheels has since collaborated with ninety famous designers from across the globe and major brands including Hello Kitty, Marvel and Barbie. They have won fifteen national awards, have created a BBC documentary and were both named on Forbes 30 Under 30.

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