This semester, I completed an independent study and semester-long business pitch project alongside Denise Colby under the guidance of Professor Sarah Portway in Human Ecology.

Our project, Pieces: Eclectically Curated for Her, focused on developing a sustainable retail concept designed specifically for young consumers in rural college communities. Through market research, trend analysis, and business strategy development, we explored how affordability, accessibility, and sustainability intersect within today’s fashion industry.

We identified a gap in many rural college towns where students often rely on expensive online retailers, fast fashion, or unorganized thrift stores to find trend-forward clothing. In response, we created a curated secondhand boutique model that offers affordable, stylish clothing while promoting sustainable consumption practices.

The concept operates through a community resale system where individuals can sell gently used, trend-relevant clothing locally for immediate cash, while shoppers gain access to curated fashion pieces typically priced between $3–$15. Unlike traditional thrift stores, our model emphasizes intentional curation, aesthetic presentation, and accessibility for the 18–22 demographic.

Beyond affordability and style, sustainability remained central to our project. By extending the lifecycle of garments and encouraging local clothing circulation, Pieces aims to reduce textile waste and support more conscious consumer behavior. We also explored opportunities for community partnerships, pop-up events, and scalable growth within underserved college-town markets.

This project strengthened my skills in business development, branding, market analysis, sustainability strategy, consumer behavior research, and professional presentation development. It also deepened my interest in sustainable fashion, retail innovation, and creative brand strategy.

Grateful for the opportunity to bring this concept to life and thankful to Professor Sarah Portway for her guidance throughout the project.