BY LEE ANN SANDWEISS
Indiana University sophomore Daisy May started her business, Rebloomed Clothes, as a high school senior. “I have been interested in fashion design since I was a child,” says May. “My dad taught me to sew on a 1930s’ Singer sewing machine when I was 18.” Now she designs and sells her upcycled fashions to a growing customer base.
“I would describe my fashion aesthetic as a modern take on vintage apparel,” May, 19, says. “I work to find unique ways to convert what already exists into something new. This not only aids in having a sustainable lifestyle, but also shows people that the fashion cycle doesn’t have to have a start and finish. The fashion industry can have a renewable cycle.”
Rebloomed Clothes focuses on custom recycled fashions. Customers message May with their ideas, then send her their article of clothing. When she receives the item, she redesigns it, charging only for her time, materials, and shipping.
In addition to Rebloomed, six months ago, May and her boyfriend, photographer Ben Douglas, launched Erode Apparel, a line of edgy, unisex designs. Douglas scours local thrift stores and brings finds back to their studio. Douglas offers design input while May works as designer-seamstress. New creations are photographed by Douglas and posted on Instagram.
May posts an average of six to 12 new designs every few weeks. Most prices range from $5–$70.
“To buy a design, one must be the first person to comment on the picture; then I message them with payment and shipping information,” May says. “It happens very fast most of the time, and I sell out in only a matter of seconds. I think for the customer this creates a sense of excitement and competition, which is an unusual feeling in a world where you can buy anything with the click of a button.”
