UVU Sandbox Program Unveils Fashion Platform: Fitted

Utah Valley University undergraduate students Octavia Desmarais and Kiara Simpson have embarked on a new entrepreneurial journey with their new startup Fitted. Desmarais (CEO) and Simpson (CTO) have been working with Sandbox to gain expertise and insights on how to run a successful business.

Desmarais and Simpson have set out to change the world of fashion one online purchase at a time. Their startup, Fitted, enables users to measure themselves with only a video or picture. Measurements are then compared with size data from popular online stores to help guarantee that each and every purchase fits the user perfectly. This approach not only improves the shopping experience but also contributes to sustainability by reducing the likelihood of purchasing clothes of the wrong size—hence reducing returns and waste. Fitted aims to build a profitable, market-ready business that changes how people shop online.

"We are creating a tool that helps you pick out your outfits," said Octavia Desmarais. "You take a picture of your entire wardrobe, and from there, our AI calculations will determine your options, ask what style you want, and then choose the perfect outfit for you."

Desmarais and Simpson also want to redefine what it means to be women founders in the tech industry. They are leveraging their perspectives as female entrepreneurs, to pushe boundaries and set new standards for success in the online retail clothing space. As they embark on the Sandbox journey they will have opportunities to interact with customer prospects, gather feedback, establish a fit in the market with their platform and generate revenue. They receive course credit at UVU while also building their first startup which they intend will flourish.

 "Sandbox has truly shaped my mindset as an entrepreneur. It’s been an incredible experience building relationships, developing myself personally, and growing our company," said Kiara Simpson.

Sandbox originated as an experiment at Brigham Young University in 2020. After collaborating with top academic advisors and gaining widespread recognition—particularly for its highly attended Demo Day—Sandbox introduced an innovative model for launching startups. After Sandbox successes at BYU, Sandbox started to look beyond its borders and engage with other universities.

In April 2024, Sandbox co-founder Chris Crittenden announced at 2024 Demo Day in Provo the expansion of Sandbox to three additional higher education institutions in Utah—Utah State University, Utah Tech University, and Utah Valley University. Desmarais and Simpson represent one of the two Sandbox startups at Utah Valley University. Sandbox enables students such as Desmarais and Simpson to both receive real-life training as entrepreneurs and obtain credit for courses required for graduation.