Hannah Lee, founder of Buckle Scrunchies, reflects on her mother’s influence in the journey toward creating a sustainable fashion brand, blending creativity with eco-friendly practices.
Hannah Lee, the founder of Buckle Scrunchies, credits her mother’s lifelong commitment to sewing and upcycling as the foundational influence behind her entrepreneurial journey. Growing up in a household where the ethos of resourcefulness was paramount, Lee learned valuable lessons about creativity and sustainability from her mother, who routinely repurposed unwanted fabric. Speaking to Sustainable Business Magazine, Lee expressed that her mother’s dedication instilled in her a mentality that nothing should go to waste, a principle that directly informs her product design process today.
The journey toward creating Buckle Scrunchies began with Lee’s childhood experiences of transforming discarded materials into usable products. “There are photos of me wearing plastic bags I ‘designed’ into ‘dresses,’” she recalled. This early experimentation with creates led to a broader realization during the COVID-19 pandemic, where her mother upcycled over 2,000 face masks for donation. Inspired by the surge of upcycling within the community, Lee wanted to devise her own innovative products from textile waste.
Currently, Buckle Scrunchies are sold online and through pop-up events, where they have garnered significant attention. Lee noted that the in-person experience allows customers to physically engage with the product, often leading to surprising reactions. “People love seeing my products in person at popups because they think ‘Wow, how have Buckle Scrunchies not been invented yet?’” she explained. The affordability of the scrunchies, which can cost less than a daily coffee, further contributes to their appeal, prompting quick purchases from attendees.
Lee has ambitious plans for collaboration within the fitness industry. She aims to partner with established brands like Nike, Lululemon, and fitness studios such as Equinox to provide customized versions of Buckle Scrunchies for their customers. Additionally, she has recently begun collaborating with college athletes, who are acting as brand ambassadors and organizing group orders ahead of their seasons.
As Buckle Scrunchies approaches future growth, Lee emphasizes the importance of customer engagement. To maintain interest and sustain its customer base, the company releases new designs twice a month. The unique nature of upcycled fabric means that colors and patterns are limited, prompting customers to act quickly if they desire a particular item.
In summary, the innovative approach of Buckle Scrunchies showcases a blend of sustainability and creativity, rooted in personal experience and expanding through community engagement. With plans for further partnerships and product adaptations, Lee aims to develop her brand’s presence within both the fashion and fitness landscapes.
Source: Noah Wire Services
