I first learned about Boston, MA-based FashionPlaytes on ABC World News. CEO Sarah McIlroy is interviewed in a story about jobs returning to the marketplace. At the time, she hired two of the start-up internet company’s temp employees full time. Yay!

Sarah and her daughter Maddie

Sarah designed her own clothes as a young girl, learning from her mom. “On occasion, we’d stay up almost all night selecting embellishments and making the outfit ‘just right,” she says. Now, her personal passion is her business.

“I’d like to offer girls the chance to create something unique and build their confidence and self-esteem in the process,” Sarah says. “Our business offers tween girls an opportunity to design clothing and have it produced to wear, at a reasonable price.”

DIY designers use the Fashion Playtes online designer sketchbook to select, customize and accessorize their own clothes. Design instructions are illustrated – and narrated – quite a nice addition! After placing the order, the custom-made threads are beautifully boxed and delivered in about three weeks’ time.

Sarah designed Fashion Playtes as a collaboration between parents and daughters, so moms and dads can be sure their fashionista has a safe place to express her creativity.

Design on!

-Janet Muniz