Sarah Van Aken is the C.E.O and Founder of S.V.A. Holdings Corporation, an ethical & vertically integrated private label apparel business located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
With a strong educational and industry background in design, apparel and business management Sarah Van Aken founded the company in 2005. By 2008, she had two successful clothing brands that were manufactured in a proprietary factory in Bangladesh. As the industry, economy and her life changed in 2008, Sarah began to envision a new type of apparel company, one that was socially responsible. Considering all aspects of sustainability including: How and by whom garments are made; What they are made with; Carbon footprint reduction; Considered design; And community impact.
The award winning company is now comprised of four private apparel brands; Van Aken custom shirts, Van Aken Signature custom hospitality uniforms, VA Private Label garment manufacturing services and SA VA women's ready-to-wear. Each of the company's brands integrates, high design aesthetic & quality construction with socially responsible business practices and community building through; local job creation, sustainable & recycled raw materials, community partnerships and garments produced in our Philadelphia Garment Center. Through S.V.A. Holdings Corporation Sarah continues to further her mission to build the most socially sustainable apparel business in the United States.
Ms. Van Aken resides in Philadelphia. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Art from the University of Delaware and has a background in garment sourcing and production in New York City. She is currently a Designer Critic for Kent State University and Virginia Commonwealth. She has recently been awarded the "Community Impact Award" from the Women's Opportunity Resource Center; and The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce's "Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2012".
