The emotional story behind new Liverpool trainers brand 

A dad of four from Liverpool’s launched a brand-new trainer company to a create a better future for his daughter.

Paul Triggs, 41, from Fazakerley, has set up Through Different Eyes with partner Olivia Taylor in the hope that it will eventually provide eight-year-old Violet, who’s been diagnosed with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), with a full time job and career.

Paul says:

“Violet is the heart and soul of the brand.

“We created it because, statistically, only 16% of autistic adults end up in full-time paid employment, and that’s something we want to change. Our goal is to provide opportunities for Violet and people like her and to help shift those statistics in a positive direction.”

“The aim is to make sure everyone has the world at their feet.”

Violet is the second oldest child of Paul and Olivia, 35. They also have Teddy, nine; Minnie, six, and Bunny, two, who is currently undergoing chemotherapy for leukaemia. “It was like the world had ended when we got the news,” he admits, “but although there is a long road ahead, we have to find the positives in everything, and the prognosis is good,”

They are also expecting a fifth child, due in April.

Paul already works up to 60 hours a week as operations manager for a civil engineering firm but, with family at its heart, he now has another role too.

He explains:

“I always wanted to have my own business because, from a self-driven personal perspective, I wanted to be better, to do better.

“Once we started having children, and especially after we had Violet’s diagnosis, I realised that I needed to maximise opportunities for them.

“For Violet especially, it was important for me to give her a chance of independently earning for herself.

“I’m massively into fashion and I love my trainers – and I’m fairly artistic – so I started drawing them and developing them, and then I reached out to different parts of the world, China, Italy, and Portugal, to find out how I could create a prototype and then produce premium trainers.

“And it’s slowly grown from there.”

Olivia came up with the name Through Different Eyes because ‘Violet sees the world differently from you and I’ and the logo for the brand is her initial, ‘V’.

“Violet is non-verbal so she doesn’t communicate like a neurotypical child,” says Paul, “although she does have the ability to say the odd word, but it’s sporadic.

“She uses hand leading to communicate and we understand because we know her and live with her.  Her needs are simple; unlike other children she doesn’t want that toy or those sweets.  She likes being outdoors, and she likes spicy foods and listening to music – she doesn’t like loud noises because they can cause her to go into a sensory overload.

“It can be hard getting the balance of her sensory needs met, and to make sure she is regulated, but Violet is a wonderful little girl: non-judgmental, she doesn’t care what ethnicity, religion or background you have, and that’s a beautiful way of looking at the world … something we’ve incorporated in the company, it’s a brand for everyone.

“Violet goes to a specialist school and the aim, along with academic learning, is to teach her life skills and support her independence.

“Through Different Eyes is very much about that.

“Given the work statistic for people with ASD, I want to try and help give her the same future as everyone else and hopefully create a job for her and her siblings.

“Eventually, if it’s successful enough, I’d love to extend that to other people who are often looked over in the workplace. It’s about presenting opportunities.”

“I’ve been to Sandy Park Café which is linked to Sandfield Park School which caters for pupils with learning difficulties and physical disabilities, and the students help out there. Having breakfast there when I’m served with such a smile and care, it warms my heart, it’s nice to see.

“Hopefully Through Different Eyes can do the same. It’s about opportunities and integration. Just because people are different, or don’t get the same grades at school, doesn’t mean they’re not capable. They can still offer an effective role in society and especially the workplace.”

Through Different Eyes is growing steadily, and there’s time for it to develop before Violet and her siblings might need it: “She’s only eight,” smiles Paul. “But I’ll keep plugging away.

“We believe we create footwear that not only looks good, but makes you feel confident and empowered, and offers individuality.

“Our brand isn’t just about shoes—it’s about embracing who you are and owning it.

“With each collection, we aim to make an impact. To make a difference, not just in our family’s life, but in the lives of others.”

Find out more about Through Different Eyes here.

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