When it came to starting a career, Mary Helen Boeddeker, 24, knew exactly what she wanted to do. As soon as she graduated from the
University of Cincinnati’s DAAP program in June 2012, she started her own clothing line for kids.
“I knew I wanted to start a brand in Cincinnati to make kids feel great, make moms happy and to bring manufacturing and design back to the United States,” says Boeddeker.
Today, much of the clothing bought and sold in the U.S. is created overseas, but Boeddeker didn’t want that for her clothing line,
Mary Helen Clothing. She does everything from designing the garments to sourcing fabric, to patterning and creating the clothing.
Boeddeker was inspired to start Mary Helen Clothing by her late grandmother, Mary Helen. “She was all about being positive and being yourself,” she says.
Mary Helen Clothing isn’t sold in stores. It’s available
online and at trunk shows, where Boeddeker goes to customers’ houses and puts on fashion shows with their children.
“I love when the girls put on my clothes and their faces light up,” Boeddeker says.
Right now, Boeddeker’s main focus is clothing for young girls. But in March, she started a small collection for boys, and she has plans for a collection for moms as well. She also has a collection of unisex clothing in the works.
By Caitlin Koenig
Follow Caitlin on Twitter
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.