Sara Jonsdottir was a fourth-year student at the Wilson School of Design at KPU when she began Revol Cares, an apparel brand specializing in leak-proof period underwear.
But the idea didn’t come to her right away.
She was encouraged through mentorship from instructor and future colleague Shirley Thompson.
“Shirley was my instructor in the class that I designed Revol Cares in, and she was actually really pivotal in pushing me to think further and kind of opened my mind to what I was actually capable of,” Jonsdottir said.
She said she originally proposed designing regular underwear, but Thompson told she believed she could do something "that has more impact." That's when Jonsdottir thought of period underwear.
Once Jonsdottir graduated with her bachelor of design in fashion and technology, she bought a few sewing machines, registered the company and began selling directly to consumers.
It wasn’t long before interest in her products grew.
“What really inspired me was to design a product that I specifically needed, but at the time, I didn’t realize how many people also had the same need,” she said.
“It’s a very taboo subject and it’s not something everybody talks about very openly. But once I did, I had a lot of people reaching out that were interested, and so it grew very organically.”
Today, Revol Cares products are available online and in stores across North America, including Safeway and London Drugs.
Jonsdottir and her team, which includes a staff of seven, design and ship products worldwide directly out of a warehouse in Vancouver.
Part of that team is Thompson, who joined the company in 2022 as vice-president of business development.
“Sara was a diligent and pragmatic student, ready to take theory and apply it to something tangible that could impact people’s lives in a positive way,” said Thompson.
“This is what is still at the heart of the brand and what inspired me to make the leap back into the apparel industry, where my career began."
Thompson said her experience in wholesale product development complemented Jonsdottir's e-commerce expertise.
Revol Cares is the only leak-proof underwear recognized by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, she added.
Jonsdottir, who is a recipient of KPU’s 2021 Outstanding Young Alumni Award, said her time at KPU played a pivotal role in moulding who she is today.
“KPU really creates an environment where they encourage students to think differently than they did when they entered university,” she said.
“The industry connections at KPU also allowed me to get a lot of internships and work experience while I was still in school. I feel like that had a really big impact on my learning, getting a taste of the actual workforce before graduating.”
To start an apparel brand, it's important to spend time on research and identifying the purpose of what one is designing, Jonsdottir said.
“I always say I pick myself up by my big girl panties and just keep going because it's not easy, but it's really worth it when you have the passion,” she added.
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