Meet Sofia Chang of Shleggwear

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sofia Chang.

Hi Sofia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always loved making things- growing up, I was fascinated by sewing, knitting, and crochet. I taught myself how to do these when I was in elementary school after checking out some books from the library. In middle school, I started a business called Solely Sofia where I made knitted animals that were very small (about 1 inch tall, very niche I know). I stopped doing this as I became busier in high school but was still super passionate about the arts. I got into UCLA, and I’m currently a third-year double majoring in architecture and fine art. I picked up crochet again over quarantine and became really interested in making hats- I wanted a certain style of hat that I couldn’t find anywhere else. Something bold, something with lots of texture, lots of colors, and something made by ME. I had so much fun with this that I decided to open my business- Shleggwear. The name comes from my nickname, Shleggo, a combination of the ‘S’ in my first name and my love for eggs. I opened up a business account (@shleggwear) in October and started selling my pieces there. I do drops every 1-3 weeks on the Instagram account, posting multiple one-of-a-kind items.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been a pretty smooth road, thanks to my friends and family who’ve supported me along the way. I’m definitely still learning a lot about running a business, especially in 2021- how to market my products on social media, how I can best connect with customers, and how I can make my products accessible to anyone who wants them. I also struggled a bit with figuring out how to balance my work with my busy school schedule, but with better time management, I’ve found a system that works for me.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Shleggwear?
I make crocheted, knitted, and sewn accessories. I specialize in crocheting hats and sewing masks. I’ve also made bags, plush keychains, belts, and bolo ties. Shleggwear is known for its bold, eccentric style- my pieces incorporate lots of patchwork, color, texture, and motif. Each piece is handcrafted and can take days to make. It’s fun, funky, and playful. I’m most proud of Shleggwear’s ability to spice up any look- no matter what your outfit, wearing a Shleggwear accessory will add a bit of fun into your day. At the moment, my brand is only operating on Instagram (@shleggwear), on which I announce drops that happen approximately every 1-3 weeks. I’m currently working on creating a site (which will be shleggwear.com). In each drop, I release about ten pieces that customers can DM to purchase. I’m also thinking about opening up custom slots soon.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was interested in pretty much every craft there is. I sewed, knit, crocheted, made jewelry, etc. I’m so grateful for my local library and the power of books- I was an only child, so I spent a lot of time in the library. by myself just learning things. (Mentioned Solely Sofia as well in the first question)

Pricing:

• Hats range from $40-65
• Masks range from $18-25

Contact Info:

• Website:  shleggwear.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/shleggwear

Image Credits
Wei Chang