Meet Mary Ellen, the creative force behind Some Sun Clothing, a brand dedicated to stylish UPF clothing for women. In this exclusive interview, Mary Ellen shares her inspiring journey from a college art class to a career in sustainable fashion, revealing the challenges she faced in launching her own brand and the rewarding moments along the way. Join us as we delve into her unique approach to balancing fashion and functionality, her insights on material sourcing, and the valuable lessons she’s learned as an entrepreneur in the fashion industry.
Can you share a bit about your personal journey and how it led you to start Some Sun clothing?
In college I took one art class for fun, and my teacher told me I need to drop out of my major (biochemistry/ pre-med) and do art instead! I was flattered, but I still didn’t believe I was good enough. I’ve always loved art, design and anything creative and hands on, but I turned away from the creative life. When I decided to pivot into sustainability a couple years after college (another lengthy story!) which was a burgeoning topic around 2009, I was able to marry my interests in health, wellness, environment and the outdoors (another passion) into a career. I ultimately got my dream jobs in NYC, one being working at PVH (owner of Tommy H and Calvin Klein) on sustainable products, where I learned so much more about apparel production. I had always wanted to start my own company, so when the idea for Some Sun came about, it was the perfect combination of passions. I developed Some Sun products to protect people’s health, have a lower impact on the environment, and inspire people to protect their skin with great clothing quality and designs.
What inspired you to focus specifically on creating stylish UPF clothing for women?
The idea came to fruition in 2020– like a lot of people I was spending more time outdoors. I was looking for sun protection clothing, as I have an allergy to chemical sunscreen. Mineral sunscreen is great, but the more affordable kind tends to leave a white cast. When looking around online for UPF clothing, I realized all of the options were either styles that didn’t fit into my aesthetic in style or color, were made really cheaply– and looked cheap! As I was planning to wear sun protection clothing the whole day – from a walk or bike ride to lunch, I wanted something that looked like everyday clothing, and something I could feel good in. The short of it is, I couldn’t find anything I was looking for! So I decided to build a brand that creates cute sun protection clothing, to make it easier for people to protect their skin the whole day and feel good doing it.
Could you describe a significant challenge you faced in launching Some Sun, and how did you overcome it?
The first huge challenge for me was a mental one. Believing in my own ability to make something of my own and invest in myself was a hurdle. It’s tough to take a risk and do something you’ve never done before AND spend your savings on something that might not pan out. I stewed on the idea for a long time trying to overcome that fear. I came to terms with the risk when it finally sunk in that I do believe in my own ideas. I want to look back on my life having invested in myself and my dreams!
How do you balance the creative aspect of designing fashionable clothing with the technical requirements of UPF protection?
It’s tough to strike a balance, because you want to have enough UPF fabric coverage to protect your skin, but most people view stylish pieces as items that have a little more skin showing. It’s one of the reasons I decided to call the brand “Some Sun” – I wanted clothing that could be versatile and realistic for everyday life, with pieces that provide coverage on areas of the body most vulnerable to sun damage (shoulders, neck, etc) and allow some flexibility for design.
What sets Some Sun apart from other sun protection clothing brands on the market?
Most sun protection clothing brands on the market design clothes for a small demographic or outdoor activity in mind, selling clothes with outdated, unflattering designs in loud colors, and unpleasant textures in look and feel. Skincare and knowledge about skin health is growing faster than ever before, and people know now that sun damage starts early, so everyone from their 20s up to their 80s want to protect their skin from sun damage. By creating classic designs in flattering colors and fits, with fabrics that feel nice on the skin, our sun protection clothing is suited for almost all demographics and are wearable everywhere.
How do you go about selecting materials and sourcing for your clothing line?
With sun protection clothing it is imperative to test every single fabric and color to ensure sun protective properties. I search for fabrics that fit the criteria for UPF factors, are high quality, look and feel great, and then get them 3rd party tested to verify they have a high UPF coverage.
Can you share a particularly rewarding moment or accomplishment you’ve experienced since starting Some Sun?
It may sound silly, but every single person that follows one of our accounts, comments, messages me, or orders a product gives me the greatest gift. Even the smallest interaction with us is one I treasure. I’m just so grateful for their interest and supporting this business. Knowing that someone is wearing one of our UPF products, protecting their skin from sun damage that could cause disease or illness in the future, is more rewarding than anything else.
As an entrepreneur, what’s one valuable lesson you’ve learned that you wish you knew when you were starting out?
Starting out I wish I had fully accepted that mistakes would be made. I paused a lot, overanalyzed, out of fear of making a mistake. When you’re starting a business you’re just going to make mistakes over and over again. Everyone does. And it’s OK, you learn from it and make better decisions that help prevent more from happening.
How do you stay inspired and innovative in your designs and business approach?
I stay inspired admiring the work of fashion content creators, fashion designers, and browsing Pinterest. I listen to a ton of business/ founders podcasts, and stories of women starting their own companies, like “Female Founder’s World” – and every time I’m in a mental rut it re-inspires and lifts me up again.
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to start their own fashion or clothing brand?
If you believe in your product or idea, don’t doubt yourself. Find a way to fund your idea that doesn’t put you in huge financial risk and do it! The hardest step is the first step. While you may not have all the answers at the start, by working through the process you will find the answers you need to make decisions that will ultimately lead to your success.
You can find more info on Some Sun Clothing Here:
Website: https://somesunclothing.com/
