Zero-Waste Fashion Designer and Alumna Selected as 'Entrepreneur in Residence'

This month, CAV Angels, a nonprofit organization comprised of UVA alumni, faculty, students, and affiliated investors focusing on early-stage companies, has appointed Blankenship as their inaugural entrepreneur in residence.

UVA Today recently interviewed Blankenship to delve into her background and the responsibilities she will undertake in her new position.

Q: What does "zero-waste clothing" entail?

A: Zero-waste clothing refers to a comprehensive approach encompassing materials, production, and end use. It means considering and accounting for every aspect involved. Throughout the clothing production process, including fabric, paper patterns, and sewing threads, we ensure that everything is either upcycled or recycled.

We acquire leftover and unused textiles from luxury fashion houses in Europe and New York. These small amounts of tailoring and design yardage are utilized to create new collections on demand, often resulting in unique pieces. Each order is manufactured only after the customer has made a purchase, eliminating the need for finished goods inventory.

During production, we diligently save every scrap of fabric. The used paper patterns are recycled through the New York City Sanitation recycling program. As for the fabric scraps, we collaborate with FabScrap, a female-founded nonprofit specializing in recycling and upcycling commercial textile waste. Additionally, larger fabric scraps are reserved in our atelier and utilized for our accessory collections, such as hair scrunchies, small handbags, and scarves.

Q: How did you decide to transform scraps and waste into a business?

A: Early in my design career, I recognized the issue of textile waste. However, I mistakenly believed that the problem had been resolved due to the term "deadstock" commonly used by brands like Reformation and Everlane. It wasn't until around 2019 that a coworker and I calculated the accumulating cost of small rolls of fabric in our basement, which shed light on the magnitude of the fabric wastage problem in design and tailoring.

To address this, I began using these fabrics to create holiday gifts for our vendors and manufacturing partners, which was well-received. From there, I started formulating ideas on how to reintegrate these materials into clothing production, leading to the conception of By Eilly.

Q: What have you learned about being a successful entrepreneur?

A: If you had asked me this question last year, I would have emphasized the importance of preparation and planning for success. However, I now resonate with Mike Tyson's famous quote, "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth."

Though the punches in entrepreneurship may be more subtle, it's crucial to be prepared to endure and thrive in any circumstance. Successfully navigating the challenges requires strength and the ability to make tough decisions, particularly in the current economic climate. While this is something that can be developed over time, I wish I had realized it earlier in my journey.

Q: What does the role of an entrepreneur in residence entail?

A: When Rich Diemer of CAV Angels initially proposed the idea, I actually searched for the exact definition of an entrepreneur in residence. The role can vary depending on the fund, and we have designed a position that encompasses the best aspects. My responsibilities at CAV will focus on three main areas: founder support, diligence reporting, and operational assistance.

I consider being the most dedicated advocate for founders, both within our pipeline and among portfolio company founders, as a key aspect of my role. Recognizing the challenges they face, it is my responsibility to find and provide them with the support they need.

Q: How did UVA contribute to preparing you for your new role?

A: UVA has been a cornerstone in my life, and I cannot imagine where I would be without the support of UVA professors, alumni, fellow students, and the entire Batten Institute staff. When I joined the Darden School of Business with the goal of starting my venture, UVA wholeheartedly supported me throughout the entire journey.

Initially, I was apprehensive about my transition to Darden due to my background as a designer. I had no prior exposure to finance, accounting, data science, or marketing. However, I was warmly welcomed. My learning team, one of the highlights of my Darden experience, guided me through case studies each night, imparting lessons that extended beyond the scope of the day's cases.

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