What if technology could transform how college students approach sustainable fashion?
Source: IU Innovates
For Carina Wang, founder of Bloomswap, sustainable fashion isn't just a trendy concept - it's a mission that grew from personal need. A third-year student at Indiana University studying comprehensive design in the Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design, Carina is developing a platform that could revolutionize how students trade and reuse clothing.
With a passion for both design and technology, Carina's journey began when her Bloomswap concept was recognized in IU's Connect Challenge competition. What started as a class project addressing her own frustrations with overflowing closets quickly evolved into a promising entrepreneurial venture that caught the attention of judges and alumni alike.
The simple insight that one person's unwanted clothing could be another's treasure led to her developing a clothing swap app specifically targeting IU students, with particular potential for those in Greek life who frequently need new outfits for various events.
Combining her design background with entrepreneurial guidance from IU Innovates, Carina has created a prototype that addresses a critical sustainability challenge affecting college campuses. The project represents an innovative approach to cultivating sustainable fashion practices among students.
Balancing academic projects with entrepreneurial ambition, Carina remains candid about the challenges of time management. Yet she views these obstacles as learning opportunities rather than roadblocks.
Working closely with mentors including Professor Jon Racek and the IU Innovates community, Carina has embraced the value of flexibility in entrepreneurship. This perspective has allowed her to remain open to evolving her concept based on user feedback and market realities.
Beyond developing Bloomswap, Carina has found an unexpected passion for supporting fellow entrepreneurs. Though she hasn't always identified as an entrepreneur, her experience has positioned her uniquely at the intersection of design and business - allowing her to contribute valuable perspectives to others in the IU entrepreneurial ecosystem.
As Carina continues her entrepreneurial journey from the heart of IU's creative community, she's not just developing an app - she's demonstrating how design thinking can address sustainability challenges while building inclusive entrepreneurial spaces. Her transformation from design student to entrepreneur highlights how innovation often emerges from recognizing personal problems and taking decisive action to solve them for a broader community.
Carina’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carinawang1223/