A Brandeis student does not have to wait until he has "made it" in the corporate world in order to purchase a custom, well-fitted and stylish suit. Blank Label, which was founded in July 2008, hopes to come to campus and display a trunk show of its designs to demonstrate that looking great for an internship, interview or future career can be affordable.Boston-based Blank Label specializes in corporate customization with compelling designs, differing patterns on the inside and outside of dress shirts and suits and clothing that provides a youthful, affordable approach to dressing for success. "In a marketplace of upwards of 14 million college students, Blank Label positions itself as the trusted resource for the millions annually making the transition from college to corporate, campus to boardroom," wrote company founder Fan Bi in a June business update for the company.

Bi is a Babson College graduate who was born in China but moved to Sydney, Australia in 2001. In 2006, Bi went to London and gained a diverse fashion perspective. When he returned to Sydney and found there was just too much sunshine for his liking, he decided to relocate to Boston. At Babson, he majored in entrepreneurship with the notion that he would become a banker. However, after completing internships in banking and accounting, he realized that it was just not the best fit for him.

Fashion was always an interest of his, but he never considered making a career out of it until a trip back to China. He underwent the process of getting fitted, selecting fabrics and then trying on his own custom dress shirts. This process was not unique to Bi; many people in China get custom dress shirts and suits due to cheap labor and bountiful fabric options. The clothing he made was tailored not only to his body but to his personal style. The idea that he was making something that he knew was stylish to him as opposed to buying something only because it was a designer label gave his clothing an extra-special touch.

Bi shared his experience with his friends and found a business partner, Max Cornell. "Founding a start-up with someone is one of the most profound experiences I've ever had, and even though Max is no longer with the company, I'll be forever grateful that I was able to share that experience with him," said Bi. His friends were not only impressed with his designs; they found it inspiring to look beyond the basic black or blue suit for work attire.

Bi and his team have visited college campuses such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, Northeastern University and Babson for fashion and trunk shows. They also have a sales representative, Julian Betancourt, who assists a high volume of clients with personalized attire through fraternities and sororities. At present, Blank Label is developing a Web platform that will be completed in mid-October of this year that will allow visitors to design their own shirts from the comfort of their rooms by customizing aspects such as fabric and fit. Eventually, Blank Label hopes to have a physical store, but it is selling its products online and through college campuses for now.

In five years Blank Label hopes to see the customization industry grow from shoes to jewelry and more. Right now, Blank Label is focusing on men's fashion exclusively, but one day it hopes to make women's clothing. At the moment, however, Bi wants to fully establish his product and create a niche. Bi explains we are a consumer generation, and with Blank Label the consumer can pick what he wants. "If we just keep listening to our customers, we'll have our best chance of making it."

Youthful consumers interact with?Blank Label via Twitter, Facebook and blogging. Blank Label hopes to come to campus and interact directly with Brandeis students so that we can see the products, meet the team and perhaps even be entertained with a fashion show.

College students are bombarded with designer labels. One day Nike is in; the next day it's all about Under Armour. For suits, many feel like Giorgio Armani or Hugo Boss is the only way to go. However, proper fit is critical to wearing your clothes with confidence. Blank Label ensures that whatever you create will not only fit you well, but will also help you feel stylish, special and unique. "Too long have over-paid designers imposed on consumers what to wear, making us put on shirts with their names on it," said Bi. "How pretentious is that! Blank Label is about allowing everyone to design their own label: Dan's Label, Marc's Label. You get the idea." And Blank Label reminds us that wearing clothes doesn't always have to be about either function or fashion: Bi's company effortlessly marries the two, allowing for a unique, personal experience with the clothes you wear for achievements in the corporate world.