A new addition to our Good Lab project, this collab fleece hat from Izlo and Flylow helps raise funds for Kids Play International.
When she was in high school, Izzy Worthington couldn’t find a hat that fit her head right. She has a small head, so kids’ sized hats were the only ones that worked. But by her sophomore year in high school, the Park City, Utah-based halfpipe skier decided: Why not just make my own hats that actually fit me? She got a hand-me-down sewing machine from her uncle, bought fleece from a Joann’s craft store in Salt Lake City, and spent two weeks watching YouTube videos teaching herself how to sew. The result? Izlo Apparel, the custom hat company Worthington started in 2022 when she was just 16. Nowadays, Izlo makes hats in sizes ranging from extra small to large, so everyone can find one that fits.
Izlo and Flylow recently released their first collab hat: The Izlo x Flylow Fleece Hat, which is part of our Good Lab project, which supports community organizations. Ten percent of all proceeds from the Izlo x Flylow Fleece Hat will go to support Kids Play International, a nonprofit that uses sport as a catalyst for social change in post-genocide countries.
We called up Worthington, who’s now a 19-year-old freshman at the University of Utah, studying business entrepreneurship, to chat about sewing hats for Olympians, her advice for fellow entrepreneurs, and her favorite cold-weather jacket.
How did you go from learning to sew on YouTube to making hats for Olympians?
I made a hat that fit my head and I’d wear it around to ski competitions. Everyone would say, ‘Where is your hat from?’ So, I started sewing hats for friends. Then I made a website and it just kept growing from there. I made 500 hats for Olympic athletes this winter.
What’s unique about your hats?
They’re four-point fleece hats that come in fun patterns and prints. People can customize them so they can get exactly what they want. I also started making these two-in-one hat and neck gaiters. I make all the hats myself in Utah. Sewing is how I clear my mind. It’s what I do for fun.
Where did the name Izlo come from?
My first name is Izzy and my middle name is Lola. Simple as that.
You come from a family of skiers, right?
My dad went to the Olympics twice for aerials, my mom works for the U.S. Ski Team, and my sister is a mogul skier. I was a ski racer until I was 16, then I switched to slopestyle and halfpipe. Last season, I decided to focus on halfpipe.
What advice do you have for other young entrepreneurs?
Take the risk if you can. It’s OK to get rejected. There’s always room to build. There’s always something new you can try. So, keep going, even if you’re getting rejected. It’s worth it to keep pushing.
Why did you pick Kids Play International as your organization of choice for this Good Lab?
I’ve always wanted to make a bigger impact. I went to Rwanda last year with a group of volunteers from KPI and it was really powerful—a lot of playing field sports with kids, teaching gender equality.
What’s your go-to Flylow kit?
The Avery Jacket is my favorite. It’s the warmest jacket I’ve ever owned. I just got the Dream Coat, too, which I’m loving for more of a shell on warmer days. And I wear the Daisy Pant, which gives me freedom of movement when I’m in the halfpipe.