Navdeep Parmanand, a designer from Nova Scotia, has launched an accessible custom clothing line in memory of her late brother, Vikas, who lived with muscular dystrophy. Speaking to CTV with emotion, Parmanand shared how her brother’s legacy lives on through her work supporting others. She emphasized that even though Vikas passed away in 2020, his influence continues to inspire her daily.
After experiencing a period of grief, Parmanand decided to pursue a dream she had long held. With encouragement from her parents in India, she founded Celebrate Your Curves, a brand that offers custom clothing designed for people of all shapes, sizes, and abilities. The collection includes wool long blazers, made-to-measure pantsuits, and an adaptive clothing line introduced last year. These accessible garments feature practical adjustments such as Velcro and magnets instead of traditional buttons to accommodate various needs.
Parmanand explained that her goal is to create clothing that truly fits the wearer, not the other way around. She expressed a desire for people to feel confident and comfortable in their own bodies. This belief motivated her entry into the fashion industry, and she taught herself to sew at a young age. The custom pieces are designed by Parmanand, who takes individual measurements and sends the specifications to her aunts in India, where the clothing is crafted. This process also provides meaningful employment for the women and their daughters in her family’s community, where opportunities are limited, especially for girls.
In an effort to make custom clothing even more accessible, Parmanand is developing a system to allow customers to take their own measurements at home. She recently secured funding to integrate a third-party 3D body measurement tool into her website, which will streamline this process.
Additionally, Parmanand is collaborating with the Dartmouth Adult Services Centre (DASC) to create clothing that fosters a passion for fashion among people with disabilities. As part of this initiative, she is organizing a unique fashion show titled “Beyond the Runway – A Business and Fashion Affair.” Unlike typical fashion events, this show will feature models of diverse shapes, sizes, ages, and abilities, including wheelchair users, all walking the runway alongside DASC clients.
The event will also spotlight local women entrepreneurs, with about 20 to 25 women showcasing their businesses at booths, offering attendees a chance to support and celebrate female innovators in Halifax.
Despite the many projects she is juggling, Parmanand says her journey is just beginning. She envisions opening a school named in honor of her brother — the Vikas Rehabilitation School or Vikas Memorial School — dedicated to supporting children with special needs, continuing her commitment to making a positive impact in her community.
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