ALUMNI UPDATE // skinnyskinny's products get picked up by Urban Outfitters

It all started with soap. 3rd Ward alum Clara Williams decided to make some bars as gifts for her family, and in the process she realized that she wasn't happy with most bath and body products that were available on the market. She started making her own organic, naturally-scented and well-packaged soap, and skinnyskinny was born.

skinnyskinny began in the Bronx in 2006 and then grew here at 3rd Ward when Williams rented space to make handmade packaging. At first it was just a web-based company, but it's blossomed into much more, with a product line that includes a full range of organic bath, body, hair care and home products, as well as a retail store and workshop on Roebling Street in Williamsburg. Bath salts? Check. Pet care products? Check. Lip Balm? Check. We could go on, but you get the idea.

And now we're excited to hear that Urban Outfitters has decided to start carrying to skinnyskinny's products beginning this month! "We make really amazing, unique products, and Urban Outfitters as a retailer is always on the lookout for great, innovative products for their demographics," says Williams. "It's really a great match."

The skinnyskinny story is truly one of incubated talent. "3rd Ward is such a hub of resources and ideas," Williams says. "We always know that we can make just about anything we could ever possibly want or need."

In addition to the Urban Outfitters news, skinnyskinny also has other exciting things on the horizon. "We plan on moving into a new retail space very soon," adds skinnyskinny's Stephanie Gunther. "We'll be launching a line of organic skin care that we couldn't be more thrilled about! It's coming very, very soon, and we have tons of ideas for many more amazing organic products in the future."

Check out all of skinnyskinny's products on their website or drop by their store/workshop at 129 Roebling and congratulate them on their continued success! You can also find the skinnyskinny line at other retailers across the country.

--John Ruscher