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Irish sisters create Barbie wheelchair wheel covers

Updated / Wednesday, 28 Aug 2019 07:42
A special Barbie-scale edition for the Barbie with Wheelchair doll has also been created
A special Barbie-scale edition for the Barbie with Wheelchair doll has also been created

Two Irish sisters who create stylish wheelchair wheel covers say a new collaboration with Barbie is "a dream come true".

Ailbhe and Izzy Keane's company "Izzy Wheels" has teamed up with Barbie to create four limited-edition designs, inspired by 60 years of the iconic doll.

The wheel covers, designed by four UK-based fashion designers and artists, are available in sizing for any manual wheelchair and in a special Barbie-scale edition for the Barbie with Wheelchair doll.

Ailbhe said: "Our mission with Izzy Wheels is to challenge negative associations with wheelchairs and let users celebrate their individuality by personalising their source of independence.

"We want to show the world that wheelchairs can be so much more than a medical device, they can be a piece of artistic self-expression.

"Fashion and fun are at the heart of what we do, and we're thrilled to work with talented designers to pay homage to Barbie in her 60th year and celebrate dolls with even more diversity.

"This is a dream collaboration for us because Izzy and I were huge Barbie fans as little girls."

Izzy, who was born with Spina Bifida and is paralysed from her waist down, added: "Having a Barbie in a wheelchair meant so much to me as a little girl, and I love that a whole new generation of kids with disabilities can play with a Barbie that represents them."

Initially a college project, Izzy Wheels has been featured in some of the world's top publications, including Vogue, Cosmopolitan and TechCrunch. 

Izzy and Ailbhe were the first Irish people to be asked to take over Instagram's official account and were named in the Forbes '30 under 30' list of promising entrepreneurs.

The Barbie-inspired wheel covers are available on the Izzy Wheels website, whilst the Barbie with Wheelchair dolls are available from Irish and UK toy stores.

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