Carol Taylor Designs

MEET ARTIST AND DESIGNER

Carol Taylor

In 2001 an accident left Carol a quadriplegic. Carol’s spinal cord was severed resulting in complete paralysis from the chest down. Despite having only some arm movement but complete lack of hand or finger movement Carol was determined to find and embrace the beauty of life. To overcome the deep depression of such a catastrophic injury, Carol's husband Rob started her on an artistic journey of discovery and self healing. Carol who never painted before her injury spent years teaching herself to use her paralysed hands and with the help of Rob's makeshift modifications to brushes and some specially made tools Carol found a way to draw, to paint, and to create.

Testimonials

"Carol Taylor is a pioneer in the adaptive fashion segment in Australia. Through sheer tenacity and her lifelong love of fashion she has been able to translate her lived experience into award-winning designs that bring together style, function and fabric technology to meet the needs of the disability community. Her runway collections have put a spotlight on inclusive fashion, while bringing a much-needed injection of style into this under-served segment. What Carol creates isn’t just beautiful, it is fashion at its most empowering."

Glynis Traill-Nash
Fashion Writer & Commentator

Carol is a passionate adaptive clothing designer and speaker who has made a positive impact on adaptive fashion and inclusive design.
Carol’s designs, created from lived experience of disability, empower others with disabilities by blending her love of fashion with functionality. Her attention to detail and approach to innovation result in garments that benefit the mental and physical health of people with disability.
As a speaker, Carol’s authenticity inspires audiences. Her storytelling ability challenges perceptions and drives meaningful change, making her a voice for fashion inclusivity.

Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM
Doctor & Lawyer

"I have no hesitation in recommending Carol as a professional with the highest of integrity. Having seen her present to allied healthcare professionals, Carol's messages were powerful and importantly, inspired action. I've had the pleasure of witnessing Carol shine in her position as Lead Designer at Christina Stephens and bring her gorgeous creations to life on the runway to national and international audiences. As a designer, she effortlessly blends functionality and fashion so beautifully and understands her market impeccably. In this particular niche of adaptive fashion, that's a vital but often overlooked consideration."

Lisa Cox
TEDx Speaker, Author, Award-Winning Consultant & Disability Advocate

Carol Taylor absolutely blew the audience away at the Magnus Ball 2023, a gala event for 400 Gold Coasters. She told her story of heartache and resilience. She made us laugh and cry, always the sign of a brilliant keynote speech. The guests told me that Carol had, "changed the way they thought about life". She was the perfect person to bring meaning and emotion to our event and I would have her back in a second. They say, "people won't always remember what you say, but they will always remember how you make them feel" and Carol certainly made us feel.

Shelley Jacks
Director at Magnus Health