Introducing the Summer Founders Fashion Sustainability Teams:
Convertible Dress
Founded by Annabelle Brame, a class of 2024 Fashion and Innovation Major.
Annabelle is a recent graduate from the University of Delaware with a degree in Fashion Design and Product Innovation and a minor in Entrepreneurship. She received her associate’s degree in Fashion Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Brame owned a sustainable tailgate brand directly out of high school that she continued to operate throughout part of her college career and was present of the Fashion Synergy Club. She completed the REEF program and VentureOn during her last semester of school which is where she started to investigate the sustainable fashion problem. This eventually led her to create Convertible Dress and participate in the Summer Founders program. Her participation in Summer Founders stemmed from wanting to pursue her dream full-time. Annabelle has/is using this experience as a stepping stone to work toward her future goals.
Convertible Dress is made from deadstock and scrap fabrics that create a 4-way reversible dress with hem and sleeve attachments, to create more options with less space. Brame describes her ventures as “For women in New York City in their 20s who need to dress for a large variety of occasions using limited closet space. The convertible dress with various attachments prevents poor fitting, low-quality clothing that overflows their closet because our dresses can have 4 to 100 combinations for a variety of events.” The main goal of Convertible Dress is to stop the overconsumption of products and to create a large variety of high-quality garments while having a minimal amount of space wasted in the closet as well as landfill waste.
Interview Questions with Annabelle Brame:
Question: What is one thing that you learned from Summer Founders?
Messaging is everything. It’s the difference between being able to sell the concept to five or selling it to millions. Within the first week, it honestly changed my entire trajectory.
Question: What has been the most impactful feedback from a mentor or speaker so far?
“You will have to iterate. They didn’t launch the first iPhone as the iPhone 15. They had to iterate. If they kept waiting til they had the best thing they wouldn’t have built that empire. Just start, and allow yourself to keep making it better.”
Question: Is there any special quote from an entrepreneur that motivates you?
Entrepreneurs work half days, not 4 hours, but 12.
Question: Please share your social media handles.
@byannabellebrame and @annabellebrame
Maker Pants
Founded by Jenna Tomasch, Fashion Design & Product Innovation Major, Class of 2025
Tomasch is going into her senior year of school at the University of Delaware with a degree in Fashion Design and Product Innovation. She is also the Vice President of Maker Club. Jenna discovered the problem that inspired Maker Pants at the Pearson Hall Makerspace where many people did not bring pants and were turned away from the space. She then turned the idea to Startup Experience II and turned it into a venture. Jenna then applied to Summer Founders because she believed in her venture but wanted to do testing and perfect her idea.
Maker Pants are one-size-fits-all overalls designed to be worn over clothing, providing a convenient and accessible option without the need to remove shoes. The primary goal of Maker Pants is to protect individuals from hazardous or messy environments, ensuring safety and cleanliness in various settings. These overalls are particularly ideal for woodshops and maker spaces where protective pants are required. Maker Pants offer an easy-to-wear garment that can be quickly donned over existing clothing, making them a practical solution for those working in environments prone to spills, debris, or other potential hazards. The durable fabric and thoughtful design make Maker Pants an essential addition to any workshop or maker space, combining functionality with ease of use.
Interview Questions with Jenna Tomasch:
Question: Why did you apply to the Summer Founders program?
I applied because I believe in my idea and that I may be able to create a business out of it but I wanted to do testing first, and Summer Founders was the perfect way to advance my startup. I also wanted to form connections.
Question: What is one thing that you learned from Summer Founders?
Focus on the problem first and not the solution, instead find out how problem owners want their problem solved.
Question: Please share your social media handles.
@Jenna.tomasch
In conclusion, the Summer Founders program at the University of Delaware spans over 12 weeks from June 3 to August 15, providing a pivotal platform for aspiring entrepreneurs like Annabelle Brame of Convertible Dress and Jenna Tomasch of Maker Pants. Both ventures operate under the theme of fashion sustainability, aiming to innovate within their respective niches with creativity and purpose. Throughout the program, participants receive essential support through mentorship, educational sessions, and regular progress meetings, culminating in an event called "Demo Day" where the teams will present a presentation on August 15th (Register here for the event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-summer-founders-demo-day-tickets-947895459837?aff=oddtdtcreator ). This opportunity helps individuals accelerate the development of innovative solutions but also fosters a community-driven spirit of entrepreneurship within the vibrant ecosystem of Horn Entrepreneurship at UD.
About Horn Entrepreneurship
At the University of Delaware, Horn Entrepreneurship stands as the driving force for fostering entrepreneurship, education, and progress. Currently ranked among the best entrepreneurship programs in the U.S., Horn Entrepreneurship has been established and is actively championed by accomplished entrepreneurs. This support empowers aspiring innovators as they embark on the journey of exploring new ideas for a brighter and more impactful world.
