I bumped into Hannah M. Le at Qwoted’s January Media Mixer. She told me she was the founder of a company that made quick-release buckle hair ties and scrunchies, and immediately, it felt like we were old friends. Plus, I was intrigued as hell by this product and this bubbly, intelligent, ambitious woman who stood before me. I even got a hair tie to try myself, and boy, was it satisfying!
As someone with long, thick hair, I have lost count of how many hair ties I have gotten tangled in my hair. I have been forced to rip hair ties from my head, oftentimes yanking my hair out with them. But here was a solution, and not only was it functional, but it was stylish. I am wearing a buckle hair tie on my wrist as I type this.
Hannah sent me some of her beautiful products to try, and she agreed to let me pick her brain for the benefit of all Beauty News NYC readers.
Below is our exclusive Q&A with Hannah M. Le, Founder of RE.STATEMENT, and Inventor of Buckle Hair Ties and Scrunchies:
1) Tell me about yourself. What’s your background, school and career trajectory? Hobbies? Random talents? I want to hear it all.
Oh my gosh wow, where do I start? I’ve always been selling things all my life and have been entrepreneurial for as long as I can remember. I watched my mom sew ever since I was little, and she taught me how to sew at a young age as I would cut, sew, and play with the fabric scraps she gave me from her clothing alterations work. I’d always be making and upcycling something from fabric that otherwise would’ve been thrown away.
I studied business at Wharton and minored in engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, fully knowing that I was going to start a company sooner or later. Throughout college, I had already started several e-commerce businesses to help pay my bills.
After I started RE.STATEMENT, as the online marketplace of upcycled fashion in late 2022, I wanted to change the way people were adopting sustainable products and added Buckle Scrunchies to the company. An upcycled product that solves a problem and meets a need while being easy to understand and adopt. Also, I should mention…it’s the most satisfying feeling in the world.
Essentially Buckle Scrunchies and Buckle Hair Ties were made for bold people doing bold things. Athletes breaking records…moms juggling family, career, and fitness…medical professionals working 24 hour shifts…they take back their day with a *click!* to unbuckle and release their hair.
They don’t need tangles, pulling, or breakage, and they don’t settle for the status quo.
Since then, they’ve inspired me to try every activity that life has to offer. I’m probably the most recreational, noncompetitive person you’ll ever meet, but I’m always down to try something new. Recently, I’ve been really into lifting, golf, skiing, running, and pilates, but every week, I’m discovering something new to add to my list of hobbies. Ultimately, I’d like to try doing acrobatics in the circus.
2) You mentioned you first came up with the idea of buckle hair ties and scrunchies when you were 13 years old. How did this idea first strike you? Tell me about the journey from idea to product.
My extracurriculars were volleyball and cheerleading growing up, and I hated yanking out my hair ties after practice or a game. I thought, “Why do I have to wrap, pull, and tangle my hair in these hair ties?” and sketched concepts of a quick-release hair tie.
After minimal feedback, I assumed that everyone else was just okay with how their hair ties already were and that their pain or discomfort from using or pulling them out wasn’t that bad.
Over a decade later, after recovering from ACL surgery and preparing to go ski again, I remembered the idea I had. I wanted the sexiest, most cinematic way to take off my helmet and take down my hair after zooming down the mountain, and I wasn’t going to let a traditional hair tie get in my way. Ever. Again.
After I couldn’t find what I was looking for online, I prototyped over 20 different Buckle Scrunchie and Buckle Hair Tie designs and tested them out early on in the ski season. Once I found the best match, I filed a patent on it, started selling in March 2024, and haven’t looked back since.
3) How has moving to New York City been for you and your business?
I severely underestimated the willingness of New Yorkers to try new things. I absolutely love it here. I officially moved to the city in October 2024, and the support has been incredible. People stop me as I’m crossing the street to ask about my hair, they go out of their way to set me up with retail and fitness partners, and they buy Buckle Scrunchies and Buckle Hair Ties for their friends without a single hesitation.
They just get it. I no longer feel like I’m overexplaining how to use the product or justify why I invented it. They resonate with the pain point of tangling hair in normal hair ties and quickly adopt the smartest way to release your hair.
4) Tell me about how you’re making your products at the moment.
Either in my studio apartment or at a coffee shop near you! The fabric for Buckle Scrunchies is all upcycled from designer dress hems, deadstock fabric, or extra fabric scrap donations from customers. I sew them all myself, and my mom helps me from time to time. For the Buckle Hair Ties, I will bring hundreds of them to a coffee shop and sit for hours just assembling them while catching up with friends or talking to strangers.
5) What has been the response so far to your buckle hair ties and scrunchies?
“How has no one come up with this yet?” “This…this makes sense.” “Oh my GOSH, it really WORKS!”
I think people are shocked by the sheer practicality of the Buckle Scrunchie and the Buckle Hair Tie. They think “duh!” and purchase them immediately.
I really wish people would read more of the reviews we have online!
6) What are your goals for your business in 2025?
I want to sell 1,000,000 Buckle Scrunchies. After seeing our performance and learning what has worked in the past, I’m focused on two things: press and partnerships. If you are someone who works in press, media, retail, fitness, health, or wellness, please reach out!
7) Where can people find your buckle hair ties and scrunchies right now?
They can shop online at bucklescrunchie.com and follow us on Instagram at @re.statement! We also offer local pickup in New York City.
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Check out our other Q&As HERE.
