Marapu Launch: Independent Clothing Line

Abstract

For my honors thesis project, I launched a clothing line called Mandy Marapu that I had started during a backpacking trip to Indonesia many years ago. The two unique features of Mandy Marapu are 1) that each item is made from a unique sari, sarong or scarf from a far away exotic region of the world and 2) that the pieces are not just a clothing item but a clothing story. The main undertakings of this project were: a) the development of an EBay store, b) the design of an assortment grid, c) the devising of a marketing campaign, and d) the organization of fashion/trunk shows. But the project, which was also a business endeavor, did not meet financial goals. However, I was able to put into practice the knowledge and skills that I have learned in the classroom while at the University of Arizona and in my internship experiences during this same time. I also had the satisfaction of developing the self-confidence of three teenage girls who helped me to organize the fashion/trunk shows.