By Julia KOHUT

Sienna Karapetian, a 17-year-old high school student, has found a way to step into her career a little bit earlier than most while giving back to her community. On May 9, Karapetian launched her own brand, SiennaSummer, and began selling her LNDN/LA T-shirts. What’s more, with every shirt she sells she also donates one to someone in need.

Karapetian was born in London and moved to Los Angeles when she was 8 years old. She attends Crescenta Valley High School and will be starting her senior year in August. In addition to launching her own brand, Karapetian is also a cheerleader on the varsity team, and is part of ASB. After she graduates, she wants to expand her brand while she attends college where she plans to major in international business and minor in French.

When Karapetian was 16 she wanted to find a way to use her passions for design and production to give back to the community. The designs were born of her desire to “put me in a brand.” Having been born in London and raised in LA, Karapetian wanted to bring together and recognize the influence of both locations in her life. After working with a designer, as well as a clothing manufacturer to pick the right materials and colors, the LNDN/LA (London-Los Angeles) T-shirt was created.

The company is run by Karapetian through her Instagram account, siennasummerco. For every shirt purchased, another will be given to the homeless in Glendale. As her brand grows, Karapetian hopes to partner with other homeless shelters to further her mission statement of “Buy one, give one.”

Karapetian said she was inspired by her mother, who works in the beauty industry as a brand manager, as well as her grandfather. She had always been interested in fashion and knew that she wanted to start something of her own.

“I wanted to do something that is also giving back,” she said. With her mother as her business advisor, Karapetian launched SiennaSummer on her 17th birthday, and growing her business since then.

The T-shirts are available in pink, black, terracotta and beige. For anyone interested in purchasing one, message Karapetian through her Instagram account. Karapetian is also planning on launching a line of sweatshirts in the coming fall and winter months.