Ryan described his own style as “simple and comfortable” but stressed this did not mean he did not care about being fashionable.
“A lot of people think if you work in fashion you have to be really out there,” he said, adding he felt society was yet to “grasp accessibility”.
“The world has come so far in terms of inclusivity, in gender, in race, it’s absolutely fantastic. But I still feel people like me are the last thought, still left behind,” Ryan said.
He added that a few brands had begun to tap into the accessible clothing sphere, but added: “I just don’t think they realise there is a true market for this, and some have been designed by people who aren’t in that space.
“Whereas I know first hand exactly what I need. I grew up around and in artificial limbs clinics so I have seen the struggle.
“I didn’t grow up with a background of wealth, so doing everything myself has been a challenge but I’ve made it work.”
He added: “My grandad, towards the end of his life, had no legs and I would see how my nan would struggle to dress him.”
Inspired by his own experiences, Ryan studied fashion design and construction at Gower College and Carmarthen School of Art.
Ryan said: “As I grew up, I started to care a lot more about how I dressed… I decided to do my degree in fashion design, and I’ve been making my own clothes ever since.”
He said he created “pieces that still aren’t out there on the market”, with the bulk of his work being commissions and bespoke orders as well as alterations.
“I get emails daily from people who have maybe lost a limb and they just want advice,” he said.
