The Crowned Collective

Inspiration

Living in a predominantly non-Black city exposed a consistent issue: the lack of accessible, quality hair care options for kinky and coily textures. What once felt like a minor inconvenience became a daily reminder of how neglected textured hair care is in smaller, less diverse regions. I was inspired to build The Crown Collective as both a solution and a statement because caring for textured hair should not require a 3-hour drive, waiting on shipments, or DIY desperation.

What it does

The Crown Collective offers a threefold solution to improve textured hair care access in underserved cities: Product Accessibility: Strategically placed vending machines stocked with curated, high-quality Black hair care products that reflect the needs of the local community. Education & Empowerment: Partnerships with hair care professionals to offer virtual and in-person tutorials, product guidance, and culturally-informed care tips. Community Connection: A digital forum where users can share their experiences, troubleshoot hair struggles, celebrate wins, and support one another through every stage of their hair journey.

Together, these elements create an inclusive ecosystem of care by making textured hair maintenance not just possible, but empowering.

How we built it

My concept was built around three core pillars: Access: Vending machines stocked with high-quality Black hair care products tailored to local needs. Education: Partnering with Black hair care professionals to offer tutorials, care guides, and in-person or virtual workshops. Community: A digital forum where people can share tips, troubleshoot issues, and feel supported in their journey.

I started by envisioning a user-centered experience beginning with a hair care survey to understand the needs of the local community and shaping our product selection and resources from that input.

Challenges we ran into

One of the biggest challenges was designing for a need that’s often invisible in certain areas. It required rethinking how I would gather data, represent underrepresented voices, and avoid a one-size-fits-all solution. Another challenge was balancing luxury and accessibility, ensuring the experience felt affirming and elevated without making it feel exclusive or out of reach.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Centering the Community: I rooted my design in real experiences through surveys and stories, ensuring the solution reflects actual needs. Inclusive Vision: I built something that goes beyond product placement by nurturing culture, confidence, and connection. Luxury Meets Accessibility: I bridged the gap between a high-end feel and everyday usability, proving that equity can be elegant. Scalable Framework: I created a model that can grow from Corvallis to any city facing similar gaps in textured hair care.

What we learned

I learned that textured hair care is not just about products it's about education, representation, and community. I realized how often people with coily and kinky textures are left out of the conversation, and how much confidence and self-care is tied to our hair. Understanding the nuances of curl patterns, product needs, and the emotional weight of being unseen helped shape the heart of my project.

What's next for The Crowned Collective

Implementation

Built With

• canva