Making Change Through Merch

I talked about my type 1 diabetes journey and the fact that there is so little awareness about T1D. I want to help make change but I was not sure what I could really do to help as I was not a healthcare provider or had the capacity to do a lot of volunteer work out of my boarding school.

Then the idea came to me. I linked my Lewkin internship - my extensive knowledge of how to design, produce and sell clothes. So I decided to start a merch line and donate the earnings!

My mom is one of the creators of Lewkin, a Korean ecommerce fashion company and each vacation, I would go back home and intern there. I started at the packaging center but worked my way up to carrying clothes for models to creating PR boxes to finally seeing and helping the clothes manufacturing negotiations in the DongdaeMoon Market, where all of the K fashion is created.

Interning at Lewkin, where the idea for my T1D merch began

As I didn’t have a lot of capital, I had to use the “on demand” type sourcing which was a perfect alternative for me, cause I do not have to handle the fulfillment myself, like carrying the stock or shipping to the customers when the orders come in. I just need to upload my design file and the rest is handled by the 3rd party manufacturer. It is also a better way for the environment as there is no waste, because it is produced only when an order comes through. 

I started with my favorite hoodies and sweats and designed them to be oversized! I didn’t want it to be too focused on type 1 diabetes but wanted to make it seem like a natural part of the design. I also made it bright so that whoever wears it can feel good! I started with my favorite colors, pink, blue and light gray. 

It is a meager start but I am hoping to create more merch that can also act as a way to promote and increase awareness of type 1 diabetes!

For now, I am donating all of the earnings to the Korean Society of Type 1 Diabetes but with more merch and more sales, I hope to expand to other patient organizations especially those that are supporting children and teens.

My Every One Matters merch line, made to spread Type 1 Diabetes awareness and to give a bit of hope and comfort for others like me.

Check out my Merch Collection