Libre Clothing
{{Short description|Clothing company}}
{{More citations needed|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Libre Clothing
| industry = Clothing
| founded = 2008
| founder = Megan Stengel
Tess Schuster
Mandy Eckman
Bethany Skaff
}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2014}}
Libre Clothing is a clothing line designed for dialysis and chemotherapy patients who lack comfort and warmth during their treatment.{{cite news|title=Clothing line offers patients more freedom|url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/business/2009/08/17/collegeclothing.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109052848/http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/business/2009/08/17/collegeclothing.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 9, 2014|newspaper=The Columbus Dispatch|date=September 16, 2009}} The clothing has hidden zipper access points to expose a port or infusion site on the patient's body. The port areas include the arm, upper thigh, or chest. The articles of clothing in which Libre specializes in are comfortable sweaters, sweatshirts, and sweatpants.{{cite web|title=Helpful products for dialysis patients: Clothing|url=http://homedialysis.org/helpful_products/C57}} Libre Clothing has partnered with hospitals, dialysis clinics, and the National Kidney Foundation to help spread awareness of their new innovative product.{{cite news|last=Skaff|first=Meagan|title=Clothing line makes treatment easier for dialysis & infusion patients|url=http://www.springwise.com/fashion_beauty/libreclothing/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100824040124/http://www.springwise.com/fashion_beauty/libreclothing/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 24, 2010|newspaper=Springwise.com|date=August 20, 2010}} 5% of all proceeds go towards one of their partner charity organizations.{{cite web|last=Rogers|first=Kate|title=Tweet Business of the Day: Libre Clothing|url=http://smallbusiness.foxbusiness.com/entrepreneurs/2011/09/22/tweet-business-day-libre-clothing/|publisher=Fox Business}} The name Libre was chosen because it means open or free. It refers to both the openings in the clothing and the feeling patients have while wearing the products.{{cite web|title=Libre: Clothing for Chemotherapy and Dialysis Patients |url=http://www.s.co/content/libre-clothing-chemotherapy-and-dialysis-patients |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112093345/http://www.s.co/content/libre-clothing-chemotherapy-and-dialysis-patients |archivedate=November 12, 2014 }}
History
Libre Clothing was founded in 2008 by Megan Stengel, Tess Schuster, Mandy Eckman, and Bethany Skaff all of whom had friends or family who had experienced dialysis, chemotherapy, or other infusion treatments.{{cite news|last=McIntyre|first=Melanie|title=Libre Clothing Designed with Chemo, Dialysis Patients in Mind|url=http://www.themetropreneur.com/columbus/libre-clothing-designed-chemo-dialysis-patients-mind/|newspaper=The Metropreneur Columbus|date=April 7, 2011}} After her mother had to rip holes in her normal clothes in order to stay comfortable and warm during treatments, Stengel created a clothing line that helps dialysis patients feel more comfortable during their treatment. The four co-founders were all students at the Page Center for Entrepreneurship at Miami University when they started the business.{{cite web|title=Clothing Line Frees Up Dialysis Patient Access|url=http://www.renalbusiness.com/articles/2009/10/clothing-line-frees-up-dialysis-patient-access.aspx|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20140106144856/http://www.renalbusiness.com/articles/2009/10/clothing-line-frees-up-dialysis-patient-access.aspx|archivedate=January 6, 2014|df=mdy-all}} In 2009, the first Libre Clothing products were launched.[http://www.market-truth.com/fashion-for-patients-an-emerging-trend/ "Fashion for Patients – An Emerging Trend?"]. MarketTruth.com. April 19, 2012.Schroeter, Sue. [http://www.mlive.com/health/index.ssf/2013/12/fashion-challenged_explores_ne.html "Fashion-challenged explores new wrinkles in chemo couture"]. Grand Rapids Press, December 1, 2013.