Following the Red Brick Road to Over the Rhine: Sophia Blasi
May 16, 2025 | Natalie Janssen
Miami University is a place where dreams can come true. It’s a place where you can do and be whoever you want to be; Sophia Blasi exemplifies these statements with her passion for fashion and entrepreneurship. Sophia graduated from Miami University in 2023. She began transforming her sustainable clothing shop, Urban Luxe, from a red brick store front at Miami University to a brick and mortar in Over the Rhine – a trendy area in Cincinnati, Ohio. Starting in a residence hall, Sophia created a business that would soon impact more than just her fellow RedHawks.
Who is Sophia Blasi?
Sophia Blasi is many things: a RedHawk, a former Miami hockey coach’s daughter, and a fashion entrepreneur. She was raised on the foundation of creating something long-lasting and inspiring, and she did just that. Sophia graduated from Miami University’s College of Creative Arts. She earned degrees in Fashion Entrepreneurship and Emerging Technology in Business and Design. After graduating, Sophia purchased a store front in Over the Rhine, creating a sustainable fashion business to empower women.
What is Urban Luxe?
Starting with only $500 from high school graduation, Sophia began her travels on the red brick road to success. She started her sustainable fashion line for women in her dorm room during her freshman year at Miami University. Sophia, a former Miami hockey coach’s daughter, grew up surrounded by her father’s inspirational and entrepreneurial legacy. His legacy influenced her to begin her own.
She said, “I felt like I had to do something for myself and be inspirational in my own way.”
When asked how Urban Luxe began, Sophia noted that she started posting on Instagram various styles she was selling, and eventually, her posts gained popularity. Since then, nothing but growth has been in Urban Luxe’s future.
What’s in the Name?
When brainstorming what the name of her new fashion business should be, Sophia looked to her family. Sophia wanted a name that encapsulated her personal style, a mix of street style and luxury. After much deliberation and input from her family, she landed on the name, Urban Luxe.
Urban Luxe is “street style mixed with the luxury, good quality, modern, timeless pieces,” said Sophia.
Urban Luxe was designed to be a sustainable fashion company for women. The brand incorporates both street styles with a luxury look and feel. Urban Luxe’s ideology of being a clothing store, “where uptown meets downtown,” is focused on the concept of an uptown feel of luxury and youthfulness and the modern look that is associated with downtown style.
Urban Luxe is a place that is “empowering women to express themselves through their personal style,” said Sophia.
Curating Fashion Pieces at Urban Luxe
Urban Luxe consistently has the newest craze in style, but how?
Sophia obtains sustainable clothing for Urban Luxe through various vendors and trade shows in New York, Atlanta, and sometimes Vegas, and Nashville. Sophia curates various luxurious collections based on the fashion of the season shown at these trade shows.
Urban Luxe is currently working with Ellie Vale, a female designer featured in Vogue, on a jewelry line.
What is Influencing the Fashion Collections
Although there is not one trend, person, or style that influences the clothing collections found at Urban Luxe, Sophia says many people are influencing the sustainable fashion store. Sophia recounts traveling to New York and various downtown settings to watch the people walking around. These people are her muse; people who would otherwise go unnoticed, unless someone took the time to admire them. Sophia discussed how she goes to these places to and curates collections based on what people are wearing.
Miami Making an Impact
Miami University is a special place with professors and clubs, dedicated to seeing Miami students succeed. For Sophia, three professors came to mind, including Mark Lacker, Tim Holcomb, and Devon DelVecchio.
These professors gave Sophia encouragement and support while she started her business and extended their support beyond her time at Miami. Sophia, when discussing Mark Lacker, said, “He always had my best interest at heart.”
Clubs at Miami also had an impact on Sophia. She reflected on her time as a freshman, when she joined UP Magazine and MUF&D, where she primarily focused on styling.
Through her time at Miami, Sophia learned a lot, including how to build relationships and become more of a “people person”. Sophia specifically took away one special message: “Always keep up with your connections and keep making new connections because you never know where that is going to take you.”
Advice for Fashion Students and Fellow RedHawk Entrepreneurs
For the RedHawks sitting in their dorm room, wondering if they should pursue the beautiful idea formulating in their head, Sophia has some advice.
“If you have an idea…run with it and see where it takes you.”
Reflecting on her time as a student and a business owner, Sophia remembers the difficulty of juggling class work and starting a fashion business.
For those needing encouragement to keep going with their dream while in college, Sophia says, “Go for it because you have so many resources while you are in college.”
Starting a business while in college can be difficult, not only because you are a student, but also because you need capital. Sophia recalls this obstacle she faced, and when giving advice to other entrepreneurs, especially women and minority entrepreneurs, she urges them to look into grants and other ways to raise capital.
Sophia is an inspiration to all future entrepreneurs who are walking the same red brick road at Miami University, wondering where it will take them one day.
Find the latest fashion from one of Miami’s alumni online at Urban Luxe or visit in-store Tuesday through Sunday at 1515 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45202.
