Alibhe & Izzy Keane Are The Founders Of Izzy Wheels And Who Produce The Coolest Wheelchair Customizations
About Izzy Wheels
Izzy Wheels was founded by Irish sisters Ailbhe (pronounced Alva) and Izzy Keane. The pair grew up in Galway, a beautiful seaside city in the west of Ireland.
In 2016 Ailbhe, who was studying at The National College of Art and Design (NCAD), chose to design a range of removable wheel covers that matched her sister's coloruful style. The idea was inspired by Izzy who was born with Spina Bifida and is paralyzed from her waist down. Izzy has always seen her wheelchair as a symbol of freedom but never felt it expressed her personality.
The sisters created a video showcasing their unique wheel cover designs which went viral online (17 million views in one week) and their brand exploded.
The Inspiration Behind Izzy
Even as a little girl when Izzy had decorated wheels it always gave her a huge confidence boost. The playful wheels opened up a positive conversation about her wheelchair and acted as a conversation starter.
How They Built The Brand
In 2017 they began collaborating with other amazing artists, designers, and brands from around the world to expand their collections and raise money for disability charities. Izzy Wheels have now collaborated with over 100 famous designers from across the globe. The sisters quickly became well-known for their exuberant and playful fashion.
Their Innovative Collaborations
Izzy Wheels became the first disability fashion brand to collaborate with some of the world's most famous brands.
In 2019 they teamed up with Barbie to create a range of designs for a new and inclusive wheelchair Fashionista Doll. This doll became a great educator for children about inclusivity.
In 2020 they created two limited edition wheel cover collections with Japan's most famous cartoon character, Hello Kitty.
Wheelchair Chic: How Izzy Wheels Shows the Power of Collaboration
Have you ever seen a wheelchair that screams "Hello Kitty" or rocks a touch of Barbie flair? Well, thanks to the innovative company Izzy Wheels, you can! This brand proves that collaboration isn't just for music stars – it can be a game-changer for founders too.
From Medical to Marvelous
Izzy Wheels was founded by two sisters, Ailbhe and Izzy Keane, who wanted to transform wheelchairs from medical devices into canvases of self-expression. Their colorful wheel covers add a touch of fun and personality, letting wheelchair users showcase their unique style.
The Power of Play
But Izzy Wheels didn't stop there. They saw the potential of teaming up with iconic characters like Hello Kitty and Barbie. These collaborations weren't just about cute designs – they were about making wheelchairs less intimidating for children and showing everyone that wheelchairs can be cool.
Why Collaborations Matter
The success of Izzy Wheels highlights a powerful message: collaboration is an underutilized tool for founders. Here's why:
Boosts Brand Awareness: Partnering with an established brand instantly puts your company in front of a wider audience. Hello Kitty fans who might not have known about Izzy Wheels before are now curious about their cool wheel covers.
Cross-Pollination of Ideas: Collaboration sparks creativity. By working with another brand, you gain access to their design expertise and open yourselves up to fresh perspectives that can elevate your product.
Expands Your Market Reach: Imagine a bakery teaming up with a local coffee shop to offer coffee and pastry bundles. Collaboration allows you to tap into each other's customer base, reaching new demographics you might not have accessed on your own.
Collaboration for All
The beauty of collaboration is that it's not limited to big brands. Local businesses can partner with each other, artists can co-create, and even competitors can join forces on non-competitive initiatives.
