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CBA Maverick, Makayla Leiting Inspires in the World of Fashion

  • contact: Connor Berg - The Center for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Franchising
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Inspiration began at a very young age for our next Maverick Entrepreneur. After starting ops_burkehigh Fashion Club, makaylaleiting not only grew her passion for fashion, but also began inspiring others in the world of fashion. However, this was just the beginning of a talented individuals dream of one day starting her own fashion line.

Flashing forward to today, Makayla Leiting, a junior at unomaha, pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with a major in International Business, and a Bachelor of Arts, with a major in International Studies, while minoring in French and Sustainability, started elembyml in Summer 2018 with a goal in mind: creating sustainable fashion pieces for the everyday person using hand-woven fabric from the tribal women of the Philippines.

ELEM by M.L. uses all organic, hand-woven fabric from the tribes of the Philippines, as well as uses all-natural dyes. Each fabric utilized in every design by ELEM is unique, because the colors and patterns embedded in the fabric provide meaning from the tribes of the Philippines. This sourcing strategy not only helps align the vision for Makayla’s neo-ethnic fashion line, but it helps promote entrepreneurship within the tribes of the Philippines. By utilizing all of her resources, this allows for ELEM by M.L. to follow slow fashion trends and be sustainable, ultimately being better for the consumer and for the environment.

Makayla’s investment in ELEM has transcended her business into being featured at omahafashionweek. Additionally, ELEM is continuously being asked to be represented at international events and trade shows. In addition to events and trade shows, ELEM accepts custom orders. By attending UNO and running her own business at the same time, Makayla hopes to one day scale her business to fulfill the demand for eco-friendly fashion, all while cutting costs and maintaining the integrity of her fashion line.

Her inspiration and dedication to ELEM by M.L. is what makes Makayla Leiting a Maverick Entrepreneur 🐮