A North Carolina college student has made strides in fashion by helping design an HBCU-inspired clothing line for Urban Outfitters. U’lia Hargrove, a junior at North Carolina A&T and Henderson native, brought her double major in fashion merchandising and supply chain management to life through a 10-week internship at Urban Outfitters in Philadelphia from June to August.
Creating Fashion with Purpose
During her internship, Hargrove worked as a buying intern and collaborated with four other HBCU students in a unique design project. Together, the team crafted a clothing line that represented the culture and pride of historically Black colleges and universities. The collection showcases items like:
- Sweatpants, sweatshirts, and varsity jackets – capturing collegiate style and spirit
- Tote bags and accessories – bringing HBCU pride into everyday life
- Playing cards – adding a playful, unique touch to the lineup
Inspiring Pride and Representation
Hargrove, who dreams of creating her own fashion brand, shared that this experience has enriched her skills and strengthened her resolve to bring greater representation to the fashion industry. “Wherever I go, I try to make sure representation is brought to light in everything I do,” she explained. She expressed pride in working at Urban Outfitters, a space not traditionally associated with Black representation, alongside other HBCU students. “It felt pretty amazing to increase the representation.”
For Hargrove, the line isn’t just fashion but a symbol of HBCU pride and resilience. She hopes it will inspire other HBCU students and alumni to celebrate their backgrounds. “Be proud of where you come from, or to be proud of who you are,” she stated. As she continues her journey, Hargrove is seeking new opportunities to expand her industry experience, especially in manufacturing, as she looks to build her own brand in the future.
The HBCU collection launched on December 13 and is now available at Urban Outfitters.