Carol Taylor's Former Partnership with Jessie Sadler in the Christina Stephens Label
Carol loved fashion before her injury, sustaining a spinal cord injury didn't change that. As one of the 20% of Australians forgotten by the fashion industry Carol experienced feelings of isolation which deeply affected her mental and physical health and so she began designing for herself in 2002 and having a dressmaker make her designs.
As a former Partner and Lead Designer in Australia's most recognised adaptive clothing label, Carol championed inclusive, stylish, and accessible designs. Passionate about disrupting disability stereotypes Carol used her own lived experience of disability and the experience of her friends and colleagues in the disability community to design for quadriplegics, paraplegics, those with dexterity issues, people who are part-time or permanently in the seated position, those who, like her, wheel through life with colostomy bags, catheter bags, and the constant worry of pressure sores and the inability to temperature regulate and are susceptible to life-threatening blood pressure fluctuations. Thanks to the support of friends like Paralympian Kathleen O’Kelly Kennedy Carol has also designed for those with limb difference. “I design adaptive fashion that gives the disability community the choice to wear what they want, not just what they're given”.
PRESS RELEASES:
1. APRIL 2022 CS MEDIA RELEASE - PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT
World’s first quadriplegic designer, Carol Taylor, joins Christina Stephens ahead of AFTERPAY Australian Fashion Week.
Mercedes Benz runway designer, award-winning lawyer, artist and a disability advocate Carol Taylor is today joining Australia’s adaptive fashion success story Christina Stephens, as a partner and the world’s first quadriplegic fashion designer – with the aim to shake up the global ‘mainstream’ fashion industry.
Since launching in March 2020 by Brisbane-based, former energy-expert-turned-fashion-designer, Jessie Sadler, Christina Stephens has created beautiful, quality, and on-trend adaptive clothing for women and men living with short or long-term disabilities – something more than 20% of the population live with.
In just two short years, it’s quadrupled its retail revenue, grown its wholesale and drop-shipping revenue by 300%, been snapped up by major retailers including THE ICONIC, and is set to feature in Afterpay’s Australian Fashion Week (AAFW) in May as part of the Adaptive Clothing Collective runway.
And with Taylor now joining Christina Stephens, it’s the next leap forward for this pioneering brand disrupting the fashion industry, creating designs for people with disabilities and changing bodies.
A life-altering injury paved a new career path and passion for Taylor
For Taylor, bringing her creative ideas to life quickly went from designing out of necessity, to pursuing a passion and forging a new career.
In 2001, an accident left lawyer and artist Taylor a quadriplegic. Her spinal cord was severed, resulting in complete paralysis from the chest down.
Despite having only some arm movement but a complete lack of hand or finger movement, Taylor was determined to find and embrace the beauty of life.
She spent years teaching herself to use her paralysed hands and with the help of makeshift modifications found a way to draw, paint, and create.
“I’ve always loved fashion, even from childhood, and sustaining an injury didn’t change that,” Taylor said. “Fashion affects our core sense of identity, confidence, and the way the outside world treats us.” “I might be on wheels, but fashion moves me forward. That moment I started to wear colour and find, create and make clothing to feel like the person I was pre-injury, it was cathartic. It changed me – and put me on the road to good mental health. That’s how powerful clothing is,” Taylor said.
In 2019 Taylor was invited to showcase her own collection at Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival in Brisbane describing her style as assertive, colourful, and feminine.
Since then, Sadler and Taylor have been cheering on each other’s successes. But this year, the duo made the decision to team up, with the collective mission to change what’s considered ‘mainstream fashion’.
“Christina Stephens as a label has always been about collaboration over competition,” Sadler says. “If we want to see true progress in mainstream fashion, it starts by working as ‘one’.” Taylor says, “I was very much aware of Jessie and the amazing things she was doing. In the end we decided collaborating was much better than competing.” And this collaboration has come both - despite and because of – their very different approaches to design.
Taylor will continue to practice law to support her on-going advocacy work in the disability community and as a non-executive board member of various organisations.
A new elevated collection to launch at Afterpay Australian Fashion Week
Taylor joins Christina Stephens in the lead up to AAFW in May ‘22, where she has co-designed a new collection alongside Sadler, for the Adaptive Clothing Collective runway, of which Christina Stephens is a founding member.
This new collection is a blend of their unique styles bringing an elevated, colourful and glamorous punch to the brand.
“The next collection feels like an evolution of the Christina Stephens label. We’ve worked on some completely new, exciting, and thought-provoking pieces,” Sadler says.
“Christina Stephens’ classic style is still front and centre of our design philosophy, but now Carol weaves the colour and glamour into our designs our customers have been asking for.
“The core Christina Stephens principles remain the same - our designs can be worn by anyone,” Sadler says. “But we’re giving more consideration to people with specific conditions and abilities, so that our designs are universal.”
Taylor says the designs are eye opening, unexpected and provocative – with one special made to order piece.
“There’s something very special that has been designed for the girl that can’t stand up,” Taylor says. “I always say to my son – nothing ever changes if everything stays the same, so be that change maker. I hope that’s what this collection will do.
“This is a big market…retailers like Myer, David Jones…they need to realise this is a product that’s wanted. People want this…build it and they will come.” Taylor says.
While Taylor and Sadler remain tight-lipped about the designs, they’ve said all pieces will go on pre-sale following the show.
Christina Stephens is also releasing the next Menswear Collection post-AAFW, with Sadler saying it’s the label’s most stylish release to date.
“We’ve worked closely with our community to design adaptive clothing for men with a range of abilities to move freely, while feeling stylish for so many occasions.
“From easy-fit tees and dress shirts, to pieces that are a bit more formal, where freedom, accessibility and design enable you to move from the office to a Sunday brunch, a day at the races, or a night out to dinner,” Sadler says.
2. APRIL 2023 CS MEDIA RELEASE - UNWRAPPED LAUNCH
Brisbane-based adaptive fashion label Christina Stephens has today launched their much-anticipated Unwrapped Collection - a spectacular fusion of glamour and spunk, with specific consideration of durability, temperature control, pressure sores, dexterity and sensory challenges and easy access.
Designed specifically for prosthesis wearers, quadriplegics, paraplegics, and people who are part-time or permanently in a seated position, Unwrapped is a dramatic shift from traditional adaptive fashion options, allowing people to wear what they want, not just what they’re given.
Founder Jessie Sadler said Unwrapped will disrupt disability stereotypes and turn adaptive fashion on its head, and has largely been inspired by their customers.
“On day one of Christina Stephens, Kellie, one of our very first models, told us she wanted glitter and sparkles. It struck a chord with us,” Sadler said.
“Adaptive clothing has for the most part, valued function over fashion. We’re beyond proud to finally fuse the two and give our customers something they actually want to wear. “Unwrapped is a bit of spunk and sparkle, a touch of glitter and glamour, and a whole lotta subtle functionality.
“Stand out. Sit up. Blend in. Make a statement. Fit in. Fit well. Whatever your style, we’ve got you covered. Wear what you want, how you want.”
This is the inaugural collection designed by the world’s first quadriplegic fashion designer, Carol Taylor, who joined the team as a partner in 2022 and helped the label debut on the Afterpay Australian Fashion Week’s first adaptive clothing runway.
“We’re excited to bring Unwrapped to life where we’ve woven function with glamour - it’s the sprinkles to your bread and butter wardrobe,” Taylor said.
“Safe usually isn’t considered sexy in fashion, but when it’s packaged like this it is!
“I know first-hand the damage pressure sores can do. They can come from the most innocuous seam in the wrong place. It’s why we designed our special ‘bucket bum’ pants. Seam-free, hassle-free. Giving you the option to wear what you want, without fear of pain or pressure sores.”
Each piece in Unwrapped has an extra special meaning, honouring someone with disability who has inspired either the piece itself, or the look. For example, the Dinesh Seated Jeans (to be released in coming weeks) were inspired by 2021 Queensland Australian of the Year, doctor, lawyer, researcher, author and disability advocate, and now supermodel to the label, Dr Dinesh Palipana.
The Dinesh Seated Jeans have gone through a process of textile R&D to come up with bespoke denim that is soft internally (using lyocell and other sustainable fabrics) to help with the avoidance of pressure sore injury and for greater comfort while seated. The garment itself was designed through a process of interviewing customers and of course, through Carol Taylor’s lived experience. The features include easy access to the front by offering side zippers and buttons on each side seam, a seamless back design to prevent pressure sores while seated and two very discreet invisible side zippers above the knee for easy access to catheter tubes. It doesn't stop there. The label has included two pockets at the shin for usable access, slightly wider thigh space for bags (if needed), removed all internal labels to prevent irritation and made the jeans look like a pair any on-trend bloke would pick up off the shelf.
The collection became known as Unwrapped after Carol heard the story of a new quadriplegic groom who didn’t feel he’d be able to ‘unwrap’ his able-bodied bride on their wedding night. Carol knew she had to fix that, designing a stunning sky-blue lingerie set featuring Swarovski crystal embroidered loops and magnetic closures for easy removal. In a broader context, Unwrapped also represents the countless conversations the brand has had with its customers, peeling back and stripping away disability stereotypes to deliver something that is raw, unique, and wanted.
Sadler said Unwrapped heralds not just a new style for the brand, but also a new delivery process.
“We don't want to keep our customers waiting any longer, so as soon as a look is ready, we'll release it to you straight away. No more "big" collection drops - individual looks straight to your door as soon as it hits the store!”
3. NOVEMBER 2023 CS MEDIA RELEASE - DENIM COLLECTION
After a solid year in development, adaptive fashion label Christina Stephens has today launched a new range of denim pieces that not only look great, but carefully consider the needs of prosthetics wearers, quadriplegics, paraplegics and those in wheelchairs. Bridging the gap between function and form, this range will vastly improve the quality of life for people living with disability, without compromising on style.
Pressure sores are a constant risk to any wheelchair user. They are difficult to treat and can lead to a range of dangerous secondary conditions such as sepsis, bone and joint infections and even carcinoma. Partner and Lead Designer at Christina Stephens, Carol Taylor, has spent 20 years in a wheelchair and understands the role clothing can play in the health and comfort of wheelchair users. “Our new Seated Jeans have a seamless bottom and are made from a fabric that weaves Lyocell (aka Tencel) into the cotton denim, creating a softness that makes these jeans incredibly comfortable. The seamless design and unique fabric will greatly reduce the likelihood of pressure sores.”
The Seated Jeans also boast a longer length for seated fashion. Discrete catheter tube access sits on each side of the leg. There’s room for colostomy and catheter bags if required and side zips make dressing and access easier.
Wearers of prosthetic limbs often face other clothing issues. Mainstream clothes tend to rip when rubbed against the metals and hard plastics of the prosthetics, resulting in quickly ruined clothes, more expense and more landfill. The other big issue is one of overheating. A body with less surface area due to a missing limb cannot sweat a regular amount, often leading to hot bodies restricted to wearing shorts. Christina Stephens has overcome these issues with their new Prosthetic Jeans range. These are made from a superior strength, lightweight patented composition fabric that won’t rip or tear easily. They are the ‘bullet proof vest’ of jeans. The fabric also contains a cooling fibre technology to help regulate body temperature.
The Prosthetic Jeans also feature full-length, two-way side zips which assist with dressing and access to prosthetics. Prosthetics wearers will need to adjust their limbs throughout the day, and with these jeans they won’t have to completely undress to do so.
The Skirt in the range is also made from this ‘bullet proof’ fabric, making it much more durable. Full length zips on the sides assist with dressing in a seated position. A high waistband has been added for comfort.
The range includes the Carol Seated Jeans, the Kathleen Prosthetic Jeans, the men’s Dinesh Seated Jeans and the Bella skirt. Each piece named after a person important to the business and the community.
Jessie Sadler founded Christina Stephens in 2020 after her fashion-loving mum experienced a fall and struggled to find suitable clothing she wanted to be seen in. Carol Taylor, the world’s first quadriplegic fashion designer, joined Christina Stephens as a partner in 2022, bringing her own lived experience to the leadership and design table. Together they showcased the brand in the 2022 Afterpay Australian Fashion Week. It was the first time adaptive clothing made it to the AFW runway.
The team at Christina Stephens is extremely proud of the range. “Our lived experience of disability, and that of our customers and community, underscores every design decision we make. We’ve researched and listened and experimented and we feel like we’ve absolutely nailed this range. We know our customers are going to love it,” says Jessie Sadler.
You don’t lose your sense of fashion when you lose a leg or your ability to walk. Christina Stephens understands both the physical and mental needs of people living with disability and is determined to continue offering products that make life on both levels safer and much more enjoyable.
Christina Stephens was proud to be named a finalist in the 2023 Telstra Best of Business Awards (Queensland Championing Health) and also the 2023 Lord Mayor Business Awards Brisbane (Virgin Australian Micro Business Award).