“I was really limited with my resources. I couldn’t just go to a fabric store and buy fabric; it’s so expensive. So I’d go toand get cuts of fabric at a discount price," Vander Neut says."I found that Denver has a huge glut of polyester, which I love to run in.”
Silhouette was also a big consideration: Vander Jackets are designed to have a tailored look for a flattering fit. “I’m built like a rectangle; I have no shape,” Vander Neut laughs. “So if I can design something that creates an hourglass look that works for me, I know it will work for somebody else. A fitted jacket never goes out of style, and in Colorado, people want something that looks good, because they literally go from a hike to a bar, or a workout to the grocery store.
She also adds reflective tape for those who find themselves running in the dark during the winter months, as well as a fitted hood to deal with the ever-changing Colorado weather. And her use of vintage polyester isn't just environmentally friendly; the fabric performs well for running clothes because it's durable, lightweight, non-absorbent and repels UV rays. Vander Neut was happy to give the material a new life.
While she says she’s always loved fashion design and admits to dreaming of doing haute couture, she’s realistic that there isn’t much need for that in Colorado.