Bend Lifestyle: A Colorado-Based Sustainable Apparel Brand
- Nader Alk
- Apr 30
- 3 min read
Vanessa Palermo, a native of Westford, Massachusetts, founded the sustainable clothing brand Bend Lifestyle in Colorado. While Palermo had long dreamed of entrepreneurship, it wasn't until late last year that she seriously considered turning this vision into reality. "This idea was always lingering in my mind," Palermo said. "I wanted to explore a less conventional way of living, but I only truly committed to it last November."
Palermo's upbringing in Westford played a pivotal role in shaping her path. She developed an interest in fashion and art from an early age, while her parents, both small business owners, served as role models. "I remember my father telling me as a child, 'If there isn't a career out there that fits you, create your own.' That always stayed with me," Palermo recalled. She studied at the University of Vermont, where the community's strong emphasis on sustainability deeply influenced her values and aspirations. After graduation, she moved to Colorado, embarking on a journey of exploration and establishing her life and work there. "I simply wanted to take a less traditional path, work for myself, and use my creativity to do something different," she explained.

Creating Bend Lifestyle was Palermo's way of materializing her beliefs in sustainability, body positivity, gender-neutral fashion, and accessibility. "I wanted to find a way to produce clothing more sustainably than mainstream methods because the current fashion industry places an enormous burden on our planet," Palermo said. "This has always been a key motivation for me to create cool, affordable clothing that as many people as possible can wear, all while staying true to sustainable practices."
Her mission is to make fashion sustainable, inclusive, and accessible, which was a driving force behind her decision to start her own business. "I want my clothing to communicate these values, not contribute to the insecurity perpetuated by traditional beauty standards," Palermo emphasized.
However, building a brand from scratch that prioritizes sustainability, body positivity, affordability, and gender neutrality is no easy feat. One of her biggest challenges has been sourcing materials. "The first hurdle that comes to mind is that the fabric options I envision aren't always available," Palermo noted. While resources are offering excellent sustainable textiles, they often lack the colors she needs, or some contain recycled polyester, which can release microplastics during washing.
"Balancing sustainability with my design vision has been an ongoing challenge," she admitted. Still, she stressed the importance of finding the right resources and knowing where to compromise without sacrificing core values. For aspiring entrepreneurs, Palermo advises that patience, persistence, and planning are essential. "Invest time upfront to refine your ideas. Polish your vision before sharing it with others so they can see the full picture," she said.
Palermo hopes Bend Lifestyle will attract like-minded individuals who recognize the importance of transforming the fashion industry. "I want my audience to share these values - people who understand that if we want to steer society in the right direction, we must make changes in the apparel industry, prioritizing both human and planetary needs," she explained.
Vanessa Palermo's entrepreneurial journey reflects the growing emphasis younger generations place on environmental consciousness, inclusivity, and self-expression. In an era dominated by fast fashion and escalating resource waste, emerging brands like Bend Lifestyle, committed to sustainability and social values,
are more valuable than ever. Every detail, from material selection to brand philosophy, reflects a deep sense of responsibility toward both people and the planet.
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