Scottsdale: Jennifer Boonlorn, ASU graduate and founder of luxury brand Soul Carrier, integrates business acumen and community support in her teachings. Her Heart Home T-shirt series demonstrates the power of collaboration while she inspires students to explore diverse career paths in fashion and entrepreneurship.
Jennifer Boonlorn, a graduate of Arizona State University (ASU) with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the W. P. Carey School of Business, has combined her knowledge of business with her passion for the luxury fashion industry in her role as a faculty associate at ASU’s Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. Boonlorn is also the founder and lead designer of Soul Carrier, a luxury travel accessories brand based in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Boonlorn places a strong emphasis on community building as a critical component of success within the fashion industry. “I want to share with my students that it all comes down to relationships and having a strong network,” she stated. This approach has been evident in her most recent initiative, the Heart Home T-shirt series, which aims to provide assistance to those affected by the recent wildfires in Los Angeles, an area Boonlorn regards as her second home. Each T-shirt in the series features a heart alongside the word “home,” and all proceeds will go towards helping individuals impacted by the fires.
The project was galvanised shortly after the wildfires began, with Boonlorn quickly enlisting support from her local design community. Mark Daus, president of the screen printing company X-treme Apparel, was able to print the first batch of shirts within hours of the fundraiser being proposed. The shirts were modelled and photographed by Boonlorn’s students just a few days later. Fashion major Sydney Rumsey noted her willingness to participate, saying, “We both have friends and family in LA, so I was more than happy to help with such a great cause.”
Boonlorn expressed her gratitude for the swift support she received, stating, “I’m so blessed to have a community willing to jump on a project like this because the timeline is not normal for any production.” She attributed the rapid execution of the project to the relationships she has cultivated over the years.
In addition to her entrepreneurial endeavours, Boonlorn is also committed to educating future generations of designers and marketers. Her return to ASU as a faculty member was welcomed by both students and faculty, as she provides valuable industry insights based on her own experiences. At ASU, she has created the Paisan and Joyce Boonlorn Memorial Scholarship to support students with financial need, inspired by the support she received from her community following a personal tragedy.
Boonlorn highlights the importance of understanding both the artistic and business aspects of fashion, stating that a balance between the two is crucial for success. She has advised students like Joshua Tunac, who initially had different career aspirations, to explore their creative potential. Tunac, who is now pursuing fashion strategy and international business, was inspired by his experiences studying abroad in Japan, which introduced him to the significant role of personal fashion in self-expression.
Another student, Berenis Reyes, who graduated with a background in supply chain management and marketing, has returned to ASU to follow her passion for fashion, particularly in sustainable practices. Boonlorn’s Fashion Entrepreneurship course provides students opportunities to engage with industry professionals, including guest speakers like entrepreneur and gemologist Cassy Saba, who shared her insights on building a successful business in the jewellery sector.
Boonlorn’s upcoming projects include local collaborations that leverage connections established through ASU’s fashion programme, such as her work with Armand Poole, a former Louis Vuitton product developer. This focus on local partnerships is meant to aid students in realising the potential career opportunities available within their own community, alongside those in more prominent fashion hubs.
By sharing her professional journey and cultivating a deeper understanding of the fashion industry, Boonlorn aims to empower her students to explore a wide array of career paths, encouraging them to think creatively and strategically about their futures in fashion and beyond.
Source: Noah Wire Services
