Along with fellow Harvard Law School grad Joana Florez, Bridgette Hylton launched ShopRagHouse to give would-be fashion designers a way to bring their sketches to life. “Personal style and preference should be the driving force of fashion,” Hylton explains, citing that infamous “blue sweater” scene from The Devil Wears Prada as an example of everything wrong with the fashion industry. “Why should a select few dictate what’s in style?”
Billing itself alternately as a “virtual Project Runway” and a “Kickstarter for fashion,” ShopRagHouse allows users to submit their own sketches or pledge on user-submitted work, determining which designs will get put into production. From there, Florez and Hylton do the legwork, sourcing materials, finding manufacturers and negotiating deals.
Contestants span demographics and are scattered across the globe; outside of Massachusetts, the most enthusiastic member base is in the UK, and one very active member is a 16-year-old boy from Singapore.
So have the founders tried their hand at it? You bet—and, naturally, they left decisions on the fabric and finish for their designs up to the crowd. “We want to give people a sense of ownership: This dress is here because of me, and my opinion was heard,” Hylton says. “If we have allowed someone to feel that way, we have done our job and we are happy.”
On her style…
- Here, Hylton’s wearing the Elsa Dress, one of her own designs and among the first that ShopRagHouse transformed into a wearable piece, paired with bracelets by the Rhode Island-based Alex and Ani.
- Hylton’s style philosophy? “Have fun with it! I love bold prints, African fabrics and bright colors.”
Dressed for Success
The founders of five new fashion ventures share their stories—and style.
By Renata Certo-Ware | Photo Credit: Holly Rike | June 20, 2014
Bridgette Hylton – ShopRagHouse
Along with fellow Harvard Law School grad Joana Florez, Bridgette Hylton launched ShopRagHouse to give would-be fashion designers a way to bring their sketches to life. “Personal style and preference should be the driving force of fashion,” Hylton explains, citing that infamous “blue sweater” scene from The Devil Wears Prada as an example of everything wrong with the fashion industry. “Why should a select few dictate what’s in style?”
Billing itself alternately as a “virtual Project Runway” and a “Kickstarter for fashion,” ShopRagHouse allows users to submit their own sketches or pledge on user-submitted work, determining which designs will get put into production. From there, Florez and Hylton do the legwork, sourcing materials, finding manufacturers and negotiating deals.
Contestants span demographics and are scattered across the globe; outside of Massachusetts, the most enthusiastic member base is in the UK, and one very active member is a 16-year-old boy from Singapore.
So have the founders tried their hand at it? You bet—and, naturally, they left decisions on the fabric and finish for their designs up to the crowd. “We want to give people a sense of ownership: This dress is here because of me, and my opinion was heard,” Hylton says. “If we have allowed someone to feel that way, we have done our job and we are happy.”
On her style…
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