Angelica Franaschouk’s unique creative ability help her designs stand out. (Photo courtesy of Franaschouk)
When St. Thomas announced the possibility of moving to the NCAA Division I, St. Thomas first-year Angelica Franaschouk decided it was time for St. Thomas students to start dressing like a D-I school.
Franaschouk is a business major with a passion for art and fashion. She put those interests together and started her own DIY clothing brand in early October.
“When I came to my first college football game, I was a little bit disappointed,” Franaschouk said. “Looking at social media at different schools, I just saw that the students would get very excited and make custom clothing and kind of go all out…I feel like this school has room to grow in that way.”
Franaschouk has been painting her own clothes since spring 2019. At first, she only painted for herself and her friends.
Her clothing is often worn to represent St. Thomas students’ purple pride on game days. (Photo courtesy of Franaschouk)
“I realized that a lot of people thought it was cool, and I could make a small business out of it,” Franaschouk said.
Instagram is where Franaschouk gets most of her clientele, like Carli Lund, a fellow first-year and one of Franaschouk’s customers.
“I think there’s enough of a market for it. It’s a very, like unique design style,” Lund said. “I really like that. It’s a DIY fun outlet. I like that creative outlet for her but also trendy.”
Her Instagram page, @rolltommies, is where Franashouk promotes and sells her clothing. She started her page recently after the D-I topic began and received numerous clothing requests for Tommie-Johnnie.
“It was super quick and easy. We just DM’d each other back and forth. We were able to meet up because we live both in the same building,” Lund said. “She brought it to me. She also gave me a care instruction sheet for washing it.”
Franashouk makes her products in her dorm on campus while also balancing school. Her parents and roommate have been a big help in both the creative process and helping her handle school.
She has various designs for University of St. Thomas students. (Photo courtesy of Franaschouk)
“I have found myself very busy because it does take time to make every single piece, and I’ve had to turn down a lot of people,” Franashouk said. “Next year… I’ll start working on things maybe at the end of the summer, so I don’t have to spend so much time during the school year.”
Franashouk decorates denim jackets, sweatshirts and T-shirts. She buys materials from stores like Goodwill and tries to see the item as something she can make interesting to herself and buyers.
“When I look at clothing, I don’t just look at it and see whether or not I like it,” Franashouk explained. “I look at it and see whether or not I can alter it in a way to where it fits my individual style.”
Mae Macfarlane can be reached at macf7507@stthomas.edu.