In recent years, awareness about the dangers and negative lasting effects of the fast fashion industry have become much more widespread. These range anywhere from the exploitation of workers to the lasting effects on the climate with huge contributions to climate emissions. Nowadays, other means of getting clothes are trendier than ever. From thrifting at local vintage stores to using online platforms like depop or vinted, sustainable is in. But did you know that your own classmates are making their mark in the world of sustainable fashion?
Jasmin Juul-Hansen, a second year student from New York City studying Economics and Management, started her own sustainable brand, Beware of Dog, during the COVID years back home, but has brought her blossoming business with her across the pond.
The idea for the brand originated when her younger sister had drawn a picture of their dog, labelling it, ‘beware of dog.’ After having interned with her aunt who was an artist over the summer where she had the opportunity to sell upcycled clothing as merchandise, she was inspired to start her own project. She took the drawing her sister had made, and started printing the design onto second-hand clothing.
Juul-Hansen had always been interested in sustainable business, and it was really important to her that all of the bases for the clothing were thrifted. Since the original Beware of Dog design, she has continued to pull inspiration from her little sister’s drawings, hoping to eventually have a design for each one of them. Most recently, there’s a new unicorn design, which was drawn by her other younger sister, Sage.
Juul-Hansen initially started selling her clothes at small concerts, but eventually she made a website and started selling online. The local fashion community in St. Andrews has made a wonderful space for Hansen to continue her business.
This year, she is a choreographer for the Don’t Walk charity fashion show, and was able to sell her clothes as part of the retail aspect of Don’t Walk, referred to as Don’t Wear. Don’t Wear sources designers from both inside and outside of St. Andrews and they have pop-ups a few times each year. The most recent one took place inside Pluto, a vintage shop on South Street.
While the Don’t Wear pop up has passed, there will be other exciting opportunities to buy clothes from Beware of Dog. The clothing options vary from tank tops and baby-Ts to crewnecks and hoodies all of which are super versatile year-round pieces. The pieces stand out on their own, but are also simple enough to layer with during the colder months. Juul-Hansen brought all of the clothing that she made over the summer, using her silk screen and sewing machine that remained back home, with her to St. Andrews, and is planning to do another pop-up within the next couple of months.
There are many outlets in St. Andrews for those who want to start exploring more sustainable options for their wardrobe and move away from the world of fast fashion. While the large variety of charity shops and vintage stores in St. Andrews serve as a great option to start on that track, this is a sign to look out for fellow student projects that you can support while simultaneously adding cute new pieces to your clothing collection.
You can find Beware of Dog on Instagram @b3wareofdog or online. Watch out for further information on the upcoming pop-up.
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