Senior Yui Ogihara makes custom college gear

Lauren Mittleman

Features Editor

Mira Costa Senior Yui Ogihara recently started making personalized college gear and selling them to people both around the South Bay and far away. 

Ogihara saw college gear advertisements pop up somewhat often, so she thought that she would try out making her own college gear, especially now that she has more time in her life because of the lockdown orders as a result of the coronavirus.

“I decided to start making custom college gear because I realized that because of the situation we are in, college bookstores have closed and some people are unable to get merch for their schools,” Ogihara said. “Even if we don’t have a “real” decision day, I wanted to put my hobby to good use.”

Ogihara is currently selling tie dyed short sleeve t-shirts for both girls and boys that have hand painted college logos on them. She also bought tank tops so that she can start to dye and sell those, as well.

“I have always been into art, mainly painting, but I never thought about designing clothes until now,” Ogihara said. “For some reason, tie dye is trendy right now, and I have always wanted to tie dye shirts but I never got the chance to until now.”

The time it takes to make each one of these shirts can take up to an hour, not including dyeing time, but it varies depending on the complexity of the logo the buyer asks for. Ogihara is currently charging 25 dollars per shirt and plans to put the profits she earns towards her living expenses in college. 

“I first wash the shirts, and tie dye them. The next day I rinse the shirts in cold water and let it dry,” Ogihara said. “Once it is dry, I cut the shirt to the length that they like, and then I sketch the logos on the shirt with a marking pencil. And finally I hand paint the logos with acrylic paint.”

Ogihara markets her brand by posting pictures on her Snapchat story. She does not plan on making a website because her making custom college gear is just temporary, according to Ogihara.

“It kind of started as a fun activity but then I realized people actually wanted the shirts,” Ogihara said. “Maybe if I have time in college I will make more shirts. I would like to make them for seniors in coming years but I will (hopefully) be out of the country for the next few years for my studies.”

Ogihara will be going to the Sciences Po and UC Berkeley Dual degree Program next year, where at the end of the 4 year program she will receive a degree from both Sciences Po in France and from University of California, Berkeley. She is currently shipping her custom college gear to people far away, including to some friends of hers who were also admitted to Berkeley, and delivers the orders to people who are local.

“It’s fun to find out where my classmates are going to college next year,” Ogihara said. “My favorite part [of making custom college gear] is getting reviews from my customers. The logos are pretty intricate, so it makes me happy that the people who have bought them are happy with their shirts.”