10 Behind the Cover: Chad Varney

behind the cover: Chad Varney

In the spring of 2020, senior Chad Varney and his business partner and girlfriend, Sammy Johnson, successfully created their own upcycling clothing brand, Upcurl. Upcurl focuses on colorfully giving new life to second-hand clothing. Chad and Sammy were inspired by surfing and skate communities, and their brand combines notions of sport, creativity, and a passion for keeping the environment clean and healthy. Chad is a Studio Art major with a focus in drawing and a Digital Art minor. He started his first two years at Hamilton as a Biology major, but came to recognize that Studio Art was his passion and he made the switch. In addition, Chad also plays varsity Ice Hockey and works as an editor for the Continental Magazine on campus. Starting in the spring semester of 2020, Chad and Sammy decided they wanted to break into the fashion industry and use their talents to create clothing. Supervised by the esteemed Environmental Studies professor Aaron Strong, Chad and Sammy designed an independent study course where they learned about the fashion industry, sustainability, and created a website for products. Part of the course was dedicated to learning about the dangers of fast fashion. Chad is not afraid to express his frustration

with the amount of waste generated by the fashion industry. The mass-manufacturing processes of the fashion industry are responsible for roughly 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with this figure only rising every year (Nature). Microfiber pollution from the fashion industry is also responsible for about 35% of the plastic that pollutes our oceans (Ocean Clean Wash). Chad says that he finds fast fashion to be pretty pointless, considering how much material already exists in the world. For this reason, sustainability and upcycling are absolutely fundamental to Upcurl.

photographer: Brenne Hoeven writer: Laura Jeffries layout: Courtney Connerly

In producing various articles of clothing, Chad notes that he enjoys the initial creative side of brainstorming designs and working on those ideas that make up the brand and their clothing. His partner Sammy, on the other hand, has a knack for the production and execution part of the process. Chad also explains Starting the Spring Semester of 2020, Chad and Sammy decided they that embroidery and bleaching are especially fun because, “you never quite know wanted to break into the fashion industry and use their talents to create what you will get, so it makes each product unique and exciting.” His favorite clothing. With the help of their class supervisor, Aaron Strong, Chad product is Upcurl’s dark blue bleached hoodies with the brand logo embroidered and Sammy designed an independent study course where they learned on the front. Chad described his fascination with watching the dark blue color about the fashion industry, sustainability, and created a website for transition to purple as it is bleached — just one aspect of the excitement of the products. Part of the course was dedicated to learning about the danger experimentation in the bleaching process. Chad and Sammy draw inspiration of fast fashion. Chad expressed in an interview his frustration with the for their clothing by looking at existing products and considering how they can amount of waste generated by the fashion industry. The fashion indusbe embellished and personalized to make them more unique. Chad noted that try’s mass-manufacturing process is responsible for roughly 5% of globthe clothing brand Levitate serves as a source of inspiration for Upcurl as he is al greenhouse gases, with this figure only rising every year. Microfiber fascinated by the brand’s production of clothing and focus on sustainability. pollution from the fashion industry is also responsible for about 35% of Chad advises people interested in starting their own brand to carefully the plastic that pollutes our oceans. Chad said he found fast fashion to map out their message and brand identity. He explains that these elements are the be pretty pointless, considering how much material already exists in the foundation and support for a brand, so it is important to make sure your ‘niche’ is world. FOr this reason, sustainability and upcycling are fundamental to thoughtful and lies with your targeted audience and supporters. Chad encourages Upcurl. Hamilton students who are interested in any form of art to try it out, saying, In producing various articles of clothing, Chad said that he enjoys “you never know what you will love and what it can turn into.” Even if Hamilton the initial creative side of brainstorming designs and working with those does not offer a course that matches your learning interests, independent studies ideas behind the brand and clothing. His partner Sammy, on the other provide a unique opportunity to pursue those interests. Many people are willing hand, has a knack for the production and execution part of the process. to help -- “you just have to want it and be willing to put in the work.” In his time at Chad also explained that embroidery and bleaching are especially fun beHamilton, Chad has taken the opportunity to create and take four independent cause “you never quite know what you will get, so it makes each product study courses. unique and exciting.” His favorite product is Upcurl’s dark blue bleached Chad and Sammy have a busy few months coming up. They are working hoodies with the brand logo embroidered on the front.Chad described to grow their brand, revamp their website, expand their sustainability efforts, and his fascination with watching the dark blue color transition to purple as it produce more products. The pair is also looking forward to a feature at this year’s is bleached, portraying the experimental and exciting side of the bleachHamilton alumni convention. Chad shares that although the upcoming product ing process. Chad and Sammy draw inspiration for their clothing by release is a surprise, supporters should look forward to a new fun twist coming looking at existing products and considering how they can embellish and their way! Make sure to check out Chad and Sammy’s website: upcurlclothing. personalize them to make them more unique. One particular brand that com, and their Instagram page: @upcurl_, for the latest information and updates inspired Chad’s own brand was Levitate; he was fascinated by the sports about Upcurl. production of clothing and Levitate’s focus on sustainability. Thank you to Fenner Wind Farm for allowing us to shoot at their location. Sources:

“The Issue” (OceanCleanWash.org, 2021) “The Price of Fast Fashion” (Nature Climate Change, 2018)