Clothing Brand Envied by All: Sustainable Brand U ENVI Changes the Fashion Landscape

This article is part of our Spring/Summer 2020 print issue, included in the ‘Movers, Makers, Creative Shakers’ spread. See the full, digital version of the issue here.

Photographer Carlyn Marinaccio featuring models Adrienne and Brigitte Hedvat.

Greta Thunberg meets Moschino? Welcome to U ENVI—a clothing brand created by sisters and Elon students, Adrienne and Brigitte Hedvat. U ENVI is a one-of-a-kind unisex clothing brand that is changing the environmental standards of art and fashion. “How?” you might ask. The answer is upcycling. 

In addition to “unique,” “universal” and “unisex,” one of the many meanings of the “U” in the brand’s name is “upcycling,” which is the creation of signature pieces through reworking second-hand clothing or any other pre-established item. This technique has formed the brand’s unique grunge vibe, which is evident in its custom-made, hand-painted pieces and reworked jeans and tops made out of shoe bags. You heard that right, shoe bags. 

The U ENVI brand is quite admirable, not only because of its focus on environmental sustainability, its colossal success and the young age of its creators, but because it has turned the cliché message of “be yourself” into a genuine fashion lifestyle. The sisters have attempted to alter the mindset around clothes, shifting people’s view from “can I just wear my pajamas?” to the belief that fashion is a mode of artistic, creative and personal expression. Through this shift, the Hedvat sisters said they hope to make people feel as bold as the brand’s clothing. 

Photographer Carlyn Marinaccio featuring model Brigitte Hedvat.

“A form of art is the way you carry yourself. We want people to feel confident and comfortable in what they’re wearing so they can be the best version of themselves,” Brigitte said. “Honestly, I have never come across a sustainable brand that conveys the same message that we do—of unisex, unique, just wear what you want, do what you want, be who you want.”

This “be who you want to be” mentality is fostered through the brand's vague gender guidelines. It’s not a “woman’s T-shirt” or a “men’s T-shirt”—it’s really not a “T-shirt” at all because in the sisters’ opinions, who’s to say that a top can’t be worn as a bottom?

This alternative and forward-thinking approach not only applies to the brand’s clothing but to how the duo lives as well. Growing up with fashion designers as parents, pushing societal boundaries and promoting creative expression essentially runs through their veins. 

“We grew up in the art world, so we have learned to be very artistic and creative,” Adrienne said. “Everything is art in its own way. A big takeaway for us is that what is considered art is different to every person, which is why we don’t try to make anything the same.”

In a world where environmental sustainability and self expression is at the top of Gen Z’s lists, U ENVI is certainly a brand that’s here to stay. And let us tell you, Greta Thunberg and Jeremy Scott would be proud of this groundbreaking duo. 

Photographer Carlyn Marinaccio featuring models Adrienne and Brigitte Hedvat.