How high schoolers are using a simple phrase to redefine fashion
I t all began with a simple order. Van Girton-Marshall’s father overheard his son and his friends answering questions about their plans with the phrase “we gon’ see’ and thought it would be fun to order blank hoodies from his manufacturer friend and print the phrase on them.
With the help of Columbia High School students Luke Robinson and Jerry Browne, they created the name Ouigoncie. “We put a unique twist on how [the phrase is] spelled, and we kind of just ran with it,” says Girton-Marshall. The playful name really means to embrace the unknown and to show no fear of the future. When the shipment arrived, Girton-Marshall, a Montclair Kimberley Academy student, thought that he and his friends could really do something with the hoodies.
They found opportunities to sell them at the places they frequently visited – parties, school events, and local gatherings. “We’d stuff the trunk of our cars with hoodies and sell them to middle schoolers and friends,” says Robinson. “It was about reaching different audiences, from kids to grandparents.”
In February of 2024, with the responses from local friends and family overwhelmingly positive, the three built a website and ordered more inventory. Their first release, a line of hoodies, was followed by short and long sleeve shirts and shorts, all available in many colorways.
Throughout this process, their priority has always been choosing products with the highest quality. In just six months, the group has sold more than 400 items.
The group’s journey is more than just creating clothes. The members describe it as creating a movement. “We love the term ‘family’ and are always trying to expand our family and share what we’ve accomplished,” says Browne.
Their path has not come without obstacles. From the beginning, the trio faced skepticism when some students in high school did not believe that they had a viable company. But R o b i n s o n , Girton-Marshall and Browne decided to defy the odds and take the risk of putting their hard work into a new venture. Despite grappling with the arguments and the common issues of starting a new business, such as sourcing high-quality materials to finding partnerships, Robinson says, “We always found ways to keep going, whether it was running special promotions or brainstorming new designs. Our dedication never went away.”
Just recently, the brand partnered with Flip Shop, a global digital marketing app that helps upcoming businesses get noticed. Their ultimate goal is to extend their influence beyond their local community and gain global recognition for their brand.
This past July, Ouigoncie helped the Browne family restore a long-lost shirt tradition. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Browne’s family got custom shirts for their annual reunion on Long Island, with families traveling from as far as Wisconsin. When their family learned about Ouigoncie and its accomplishments, they all saw a chance to revive the tradition. The trio created shirts featuring the Ouigoncie logo for every family member. They brought back the tradition and tightened the family strings that had been stretched apart from COVID-19.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, the advice from these three high schoolers is simple. “Enjoy the process,” says GirtonMarshall. “Pursue what you love, and don’t hesitate to try new things. The effort will be worth it. And the love and hard work you have for something goes further than any talent.”
The trio plans to expand the company. “We’re constantly looking for ways to grow,” says Robinson. “Whether it’s through new designs, partnerships, and markets, we’re always excited to see what comes our way.”
Whatever the future looks like for them – we gon’ see. To learn more, visit ouigoncie.com.
Miles House, friend of Browne, Robinson, and Girton-Marshall, is a rising senior at Columbia High School who has a passion for writing.
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