Brennah Strange, a multi-disciplinary design student at the University of Utah, is designing gear that looks good, feels good, and works hard while being kind to the planet. She is the founder of Hookchute, a community-driven brand that sells sustainable outdoor apparel that merges her passion for sewing and her love of the outdoors.
Strange’s passion for sewing started in the fourth grade and eventually grew into designing her own clothing. Frustrated by the lack of fashionable options for outdoor apparel, she decided to start making her own.
“I love outdoor adventuring and thought, ‘What if I designed something I actually want to wear?’” she said.
With unique designs and colorways, Hookchute’s products stand out from the typical dark green, brown, and beige options. Each piece is handmade by Strange and made-to-order, cutting down on waste and ensuring each product is special and unique.
For Strange, Hookchute is about more than apparel; she is using her brand to connect with others and build community. Her biggest accomplishment thus far was organizing an outdoor fashion show in Big Cottonwood Canyon that featured 27 outfits she created over a three-year span.
“All of the models were on the trail, and I had people biking and running down the runway,” Strange said. “It was a culmination of a lot of my work.”
Looking ahead, she plans to organize another trail fashion show and continue sharing her work with the community. Whether she is attending local events or hosting a monthly run club, Strange is dedicated to connecting people through their love of the outdoors.
More articles like this in ‘Student Innovation @ the U!’
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