Grant Harris, a University of Iowa student, introduces Urban Resident Clothing, a resale pop-up shop aimed at providing affordable fashion options for students and budget-conscious shoppers.
Finding affordable and stylish fashion options has increasingly become a challenge for students and budget-conscious shoppers, especially amid rising retail prices and the declining quality of fast fashion. Responding to this demand, University of Iowa student Grant Harris has launched a resale pop-up shop called Urban Resident Clothing.
Harris, who has long envisioned starting a fashion brand, expressed his excitement about turning that dream into reality. “I’ve spent my whole life thinking I’ll start a fashion brand someday. Now, I’m actually doing it,” he told The Daily Iowan.
The concept for Urban Resident Clothing initially emerged as a class project in an entrepreneurial finance course, where students were tasked with creating a business within ten weeks on a $20 budget. With the help of classmates Zach Julander, Dillon Martin, Gavin Rumelhart, and Jack Estes, Harris has transformed this academic assignment into a startup that aims to combine high fashion sensibilities with college budgets. He has established partnerships with local businesses, including Vice Iowa City, to host pop-up events featuring curated vintage items and original designs.
Demetrius Perry, the owner of Vice, commented on Harris’ preparedness and vision, stating, “He showed up super prepared … Everything he does aligns with our vision … It seemed like it would be the perfect fit.” This collaboration has allowed Harris to reach a broader audience, garnering a notable following for his fashion venture.
Inspired to continue beyond his course, Harris utilized university resources and connections to navigate the startup landscape without incurring the costs of a traditional storefront. He secured a partnership with Vice, which agreed to host his pop-up events after recognizing his commitment and seriousness about the project. “Once he could tell I was serious about it, we made it happen, and we have a nice relationship going now,” Harris remarked.
Harris’ initial pop-up event at Big Grove Brewery attracted a good crowd, although it was not without complications. He unintentionally shared the access code to his building, which created challenges for attendees. Reflecting on the incident, he acknowledged, “My philosophy about getting a startup to happen is, you got to bend some rules. But with that being said, I recognize that was not the coolest thing for me to do.” Despite the misunderstanding, support for Urban Resident Clothing remained strong, and attendees continued to engage with the brand.
The community aspect surrounding these pop-up events has proved rewarding for both Harris and Perry. “The community built around these events is the best part,” Perry noted, emphasizing how vendors and customers form lasting relationships, which is vital for the growth of small businesses.
As Harris juggles his academic responsibilities and a part-time job, he remains dedicated to his fashion brand. He stated, “I don’t watch TV. I don’t play games. If I’m not in class or at work, I’m working on this.” His commitment is evident as he expands Urban Resident beyond resale into the world of original fashion design, utilizing university resources to learn techniques such as garment printing. His first collection’s pre-sale quickly sold out, indicating a promising start for his burgeoning brand.
Looking ahead, Harris is focused on refining manufacturing processes to scale his operations effectively. “Once we nail that, it’s just plug and repeat,” he said. For Harris, the journey has been about more than sales; it represents a personal achievement in actively pursuing his passion. “I’ve spent so much of my life thinking, ‘I’m going to do this someday,’” he reflected. “I’m actually doing it now, putting in the work.”
Source: Noah Wire Services
