Liz Callahan

Designer of adaptive clothing for women with limited physical mobility, seeking fashion and comfort.  Fashion illustrator, graduate of FIDM, Los Angeles.

Versa AccessWear is an adaptive clothing line designed for the woman looking to find fashion that meets her needs as an adult with physical limitations. 

Versa AccessWear merges fashion-forward design with construction elements suited for women, ages 20-65, with limited physical mobility.  Versa AccessWear will address the needs of women in the workforce and those that are exploring their “second act” as a retiree (our growing baby boomer population).  Basic construction elements include ¾ dolman sleeve, Velcro® and zipper closures, stretch and comfort fabrics, and design silhouettes suited to various stages of physical disability.   I am in the process of seeking a trademark for a specific design element, VerSecure.

Working in a community college setting, I became interested in learning more about the challenges our disabled students face in their day-to-day schedule.  I came in contact with a student one day who was hurrying up the hill to her class in a wheelchair, and as I offered to help her, I noticed that her t-shirt was sliding up her back, and her jeans didn’t fit well.  It started me to think about how privileged most of us are to be able to “throw something on” and walk out the door.

In researching adaptive clothing lines and websites, I found the offerings few and far between, and what I did find did not reflect so much a fashion sense as a functionality, and most definitely geared toward the elderly.  I found very few age-appropriate garments for young women.  I believe this is an untapped market, waiting for deserved attention from the fashion industry.  Specialty markets have been addressed within the industry (i.e., big and tall, plus-size, petite), however this particular niche customer has not been served. In interviewing and researching the disabled and “boomer” communities, I’ve found that these women have to shop different sources to find the correct fit (long inseam, cropped jackets/tops, comfort fabrics, ease of access, i.e., front, hook and loop, zipper closures).  Function meets fashion for the “Forgotten Fashionista,” as Versa AccessWear provides a viable resource for women in wheelchairs and those with other mobility challenges.  I believe that I have a strong sense of basic construction needs, and I am confident that this knowledge combined with my design abilities result in a fashion-forward line, filling a real need and niche.  An emphasis on comfort and ease of fit is considered in fabric choice and design.

My initial pieces have been featured in the "Dare to Change the World" fashion shows, sponsored by Chloe Magazine, at each of the four Abilities Expos taking place throughout the U.S. in 2009.  A portion of profits realized from the sale of t-shirts, scarves and certain pieces are donated to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.  I am presently working with the Foundation to be featured on their "Shop for a Cure" page of their website.

My vision for Versa AccessWear is twofold:  I see it filling an obvious gap within the fashion industry, and becoming a business that I can be proud of.  I envision Versa AccessWear to grow to be a financial success through mindful organization, and at a slow and calculated pace, eventually adding accessories to the line.  I envision Versa AccessWear to grow to be a company that welcomes diversity in its employees and business partnerships, and one that supports employee input, hiring from the community we serve.  All employees will be valued and recognized for their contributions.  I envision Versa AccessWear to play a role, if only a small one, in funding the imminent medical and scientific breakthroughs to come, related to spinal cord diseases and injuries.

As stated earlier, I am committed to supporting efforts in the medical research field for finding new options and treatments for the physically disabled, in particular, spinal cord injuries.  Once a profit is reached, I will do all I can to see that Versa gives back to the population we serve, and look forward to doing so.  I will make sure that as the company grows, I will encourage my staff to participate in these efforts as well.  I would commit to outreach within the disabled community through volunteer avenues as well as monetary.  Giving back to the disabled community would be surely a part of the core values stated in Versa AccessWear’s mission statement.

I am also committed to researching and working to find construction elements that will bring a stronger aesthetic and comfort to my designs.  I have contacted several companies, including 3M, to find a viable repositionable fabric adhesive that might be used in place of velcro or zippers.  I plan to pursue this search, knowing that just because it doesn’t exist, doesn’t mean it can’t be created.