With a chilly spring still in the weather forecast, there is one thing that can brighten up the season: Soulscarf is launching its spring line on April 3.

Soulscarf was started by Syracuse University student Celeste Currie in 2012, and is a company known for its thick wool infinity scarves and philanthropic mission. The company donates 20 percent of its proceeds to one of four charities: the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Feed The Children, Project H Design or The Breast Cancer Society.

“It’s really great knowing that I’m only in college and I’ve been able to give so much back to charities,” said Celeste Currie, who is a senior information management and technology major.

 Each Soulscarf has one of four different colored hearts sewn onto it, which represents the charity the money was donated to. So far, Soulscarf has managed to donate almost $8,000 to these charities.

But Currie wanted to continue to give back while being trendy and wearable even when it isn’t bitter cold — so she found scarves that were handmade by women in India through Fair Trade USA.

The organization’s mission is to cultivate a more equitable global trade model that benefits farmers, workers, consumers, industry and the Earth by helping local economies, according to the Fair Trade USA website. All the scarves in the spring line will benefit this organization and the women who create the scarves.

The new line will feature lilac, coral and cream-colored scarves, Currie said. The scarves will be a more traditional style, not an infinity scarf, which is something Currie hasn’t tried yet.

Allison Pang, a senior public relations major who does communications work for Soulscarf, is excited to see the response from Soulscarf fans.

“I think there’s always risk involved in doing something new, but I think it will be received well by Soulscarf wearers,” Pang said.

Currie created Soulscarf as part of her information technology design and startups course in the School of Information Studies that required her to come up with a business idea. She was looking for a warm scarf to sport on campus during the harsh winters. Everything she found was too expensive, so she decided to knit one for herself. She took that thought to her ideas class and began developing her business.

With no business background, Currie said Google was her best friend. She found a manufacturer and began pricing her product. She invested the money she saved to go abroad to start her company. Before she knew it, scarves were selling out.

“It’s obviously a very cute and versatile item to have in your wardrobe,” said Ellen Picket, a junior public health major. “And it makes the Syracuse winter a little more bearable, but I really like knowing that it was created by a student. To put a face to the brand is something really unique and special.”

SU isn’t the only place Soulscarf has become popular: Currie has 11 campus representatives at other universities helping to grow her company. Soulscarf is also sold in J Michael Shoes and other small boutiques.

Currie was also able to get Soulscarf in Pure Barre studios, a workout franchise, which has brought in much of her business.

“I’ve watched as she’s gotten scarves in Pure Barre studios all over America, sold out of scarves during the holiday season and get featured in U.S. News & World Report for her startup endeavors,” Pang said.

Currie’s success has driven her to expand her line. She has tried other designs before, but her original knit infinity scarf has always been the most popular.

She is hoping that this new spring line with fun colors and a lighter weight will give her fans new, creative options for their wardrobes.

Published on April 1, 2014 at 1:30 am

Contact Jocelyn: jdelaney@syr.edu