Designer brings A-list glamour to disabled

[attach]4327[/attach]You’d never guess that a designer for the stars operates out of a small, barebones studio at Dundas and Keele streets.

Izzy Camilleri’s client list includes Angelina Jolie, Meryl Streep, David Bowie, Jennifer Lopez and Nicole Kidman.

But you won’t find photos of Camilleri and her high-end clients.

She’s discovered her true passion rests in designing for people who need her talent most.

Her new venture, Izzy Camilleri Adaptive Clothing, which opened earlier this month, caters to a “seated clientele,” meaning the cuts of the fabrics have been developed for the sitting position of a disabled person.

Camilleri was influenced to start her line through her friendship with Toronto Star writer Barbara Turnbull, who has a spinal cord injury. Camilleri saw for the first time the dearth of options disabled people have.

There are over 40,000 people in wheelchairs and that number is going to expand thanks to the aging baby-boomer demographic.

“After 30 years of designing, I needed something fresh,” Camilleri said.

No matter what your body shape, most women find it difficult to find the perfect outfit, but Camilleri has to take into account issues that most designers would never dream of.

Many of her designs feature elastic waistbands because most of her clients can’t control their stomach muscles. So while they may wake up with a 28-inch waist, they go to bed with a 32-inch waist — not something celebrities often have to deal with.

“Meryl Streep has the world at her fingertips. She’s going to be okay, all the A-listers are going to be okay,” Camilleri says.

“Working with them has been good for me, but it changed my life. This means so much more.”

Now, even people on a disability pension can afford one of her designs, as custom-made pants for women go for $45.

Camilleri says it’s not easy to find clothes that look current and sexy when you’re in a wheelchair and she finds it rewarding to design clothes for people who really appreciate it.

“Not only are my pieces serving the user, it’s also helping the caregiver, the spouses, the siblings … the impact of the work I’m doing is immeasurable,” Camilleri said.

The Sheridan College graduate is proud of her accomplishments and proud to bring her success to the neighbourhood where she grew up.

The location also works for her clientele. The congested streets of downtown Toronto can make it very arduous for disabled clients to travel to.

“I need my business to work for me,” Camilleri said. “And it does here.”