Adaptive fashion designer Travis Iverson always liked looking his best. His interest in style did not end when, at the age of 21, he sustained a spinal cord injury. He became a quadriplegic, breaking his C3, C4 and C5 vertebrae from a diving accident while at a friend’s cottage.
Travis explains: “I’ve always loved the feeling you get when you’re well dressed, even before my spinal cord injury. It’s like a superpower you can control. The best part is the reaction you get from others’ faces throughout the day and you’re able to take on any task or appearance or event that comes your way.”
“After my injury I wanted that feeling again, just on a bigger scale, always being looked at in a wheelchair. I wanted people to see me,not the chair. Out shopping for an outfit for a friend’s birthday, I literally took the fit straight off the mannequin. Excited to try it on with the nurse the night before, only to be shattered the very next morning because it did not fit anywhere.”
Extremely frustrated, Travis, who was studying business administration at Ottawa’s Algonquin College at the time, wheeled to his computer desk and used a head computer mouse and began to type concepts for this adaptive fashion designs. “I researched and typed every fabric material blend and every unique adaptive feature for someone in a wheelchair, someone who is missing a limb, and someone with visual deficits including a braille logo and mantra so that the brand could be inclusive for all.
“Then I gave my write-up to the Applied Research and Innovation department at Algonquin. I was the last to present out of 30 venture pitches but the first to roll away with the win and that’s when the ball got started.”
The biggest challenges for Travis’ business are securing funding. “As a person on fixed income, I am in desperate need for investors, partners, and a team that can help with marketing and increase sales by sharing my story and brand efforts. The biggest rewards are seeing my efforts recognized in the media.”
In the past few months, Travis has had some health challenges. He had a pressure sore that is still healing and had transsphenoidal brain surgery to remove a four-centimeter tumour pressing on his optic nerve that affected his side vision. Fortunately, he has regained some of the vision and is optimistic the rest will return.
Travis will soon celebrate his 44th birthday in June of this year. He has much to look forward to, including spending more time with his infant nephew, as a first-time uncle. He is close to his sister and mother, who he considers his rock. He is also proud of his independence and lives by himself in downtown Ottawa.
Maintaining physical fitness has always been important to him. Travis hopes to do more swimming, sailing and scuba diving again. He has been using transcendental meditation twice daily, for 20 minutes at a time for the past five years. He believes it has changed his life. “You are in charge of your brain, not the other way around.” Travis also enjoys live music with friends as he loves what music can do for the mind, body and soul.
Travis is passionate about his work, and seeing others challenges and finding styling solutions and appropriate apparel for them. No two bodies are the same. He hopes that he can secure more funding so that he can continue to find more unique pieces for others to enjoy.
“Going forward I would love to have all my styles, unique pieces for all disabilities available on an I TAILOR website platform where an
individual can mix and match clothing that fits their unique needs with a 3D appearance. I would need financial assistance to fuel inventory and support for marketing with possible cross country public engagement or a fashion show.
“I think people should know that individuals with disabilities are capable of a lot and in some cases more than the average bear. Not all
of us have the same wants and needs and that’s where an all inclusion brand like Iver Fashion comes in. It allows everyone to adjust and create their own fits from the comfort of their home.
“I’m incredibly proud to say that I now have every single piece finalized for all four seasons — spring, summer, fall and winter. We aren’t just making clothes, we are designing for true dignity and independence, all year round.
To learn more about Travis Iverson and his adaptive fashions https://iverfashion.com/
https://iverfashion.com/pages/mystory
https://iverfashion.com/products /
Ottawa man hopes his adaptive clothing line helps others
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