Ayo, a young engineer with an eye for everyday problems, has made history by creating something most of us never think twice about: a better hanger.
Her company, Hangio, is now recognized as the first-ever Black-owned bendable hanger brand, a small but significant milestone in a space rarely associated with innovation or representation. But the story began in her own closet — not in a boardroom or tech lab.
Ayo realized that her favorite sweaters weren’t losing shape on their own; it was the hangers. They left shoulder bumps, stretched delicate necklines, and even let cherished pieces slip to the floor. Instead of buying yet another pack of flimsy plastic, she engineered a solution.
That solution became Hangio — a patented, premium, bendable hanger designed to respect the clothes it holds.
The lightweight hangers fold and flex smoothly, allowing clothes to slide on and off without warping. They mold into multiple shapes, carry heavier pieces like denim jackets, and pack easily for travel. More importantly, they protect the investment many consumers now make in high-quality, long-lasting wardrobes.
In a video that has helped fuel the brand’s rise, Ayo explained her mission plainly: “I created a hanger that would cherish my clothes for the long haul… With my clothes, I’m playing for keeps.”
That line struck a chord. In a fast-fashion world, more people are choosing intentional, durable clothing — and they want tools that support that shift. Hangio sits right at that intersection of engineering and lifestyle.
Customer feedback mirrors Ayo’s realization: the problem wasn’t the clothes — it was the hanger.
While the idea is simple, her achievement is far from it. Breaking into the home-goods market as a young Black woman founder is no small feat, and doing so with a patented product makes the accomplishment even more notable. Representation in industrial design and consumer product engineering remains thin, making Hangio’s entry both refreshing and overdue.
As Hangio gains momentum, Ayo’s story continues to resonate: a young innovator who looked at something ordinary — and made it better.
For shoppers ready to upgrade their closets or support a boundary-pushing entrepreneur, Hangio products are available at shophangio.com.
