Meet Sohary Ouk | Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sohary Ouk and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sohary, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The idea for Flying Lotus Apparel came from a daily frustration—feeling physically restricted by traditional clothing, especially anything tight around the ribcage. I’ve always been an advocate for comfort and confidence, especially when it comes to body autonomy. While I fully support “nipple confidence,” I was raised in a conservative household and didn’t always feel comfortable having my nipples exposed, especially at home with four sons and their friends constantly around.

I looked for solutions in the market—tank tops with built-in bras or pads—but everything had some kind of elastic, wire, or compression that made me feel trapped. Nothing truly solved both of my problems: providing nipple coverage without any constriction.

So we engineered exactly what was missing from the market—shirts with a built-in or infused barrier that blocks nipple exposure without using any elastics, wires, or tight bands. That unique construction is what sets Flying Lotus Apparel apart. It’s not just about comfort; it’s about thoughtful design that gives women the freedom to move, lounge, or go out without feeling awkward around people. My goal was to recreate that “ahh” moment you feel when you take off your bra, but in a shirt you never have to take off. Flying Lotus Apparel is all about giving women real options—to wear a bra if they want to, and ditch it anytime they’re over it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Flying Lotus Apparel is more than just clothing—it’s wearable freedom. Our signature design solves a very specific problem: how to eliminate nipple exposure without relying on bras, elastics, or tight support structures. What sets us apart is our proprietary engineering—a sewn-in or infused barrier that provides discreet coverage with absolutely no compression. It’s the kind of innovation born from lived experience and a deep understanding of what comfort should feel like.

Getting to this point wasn’t easy. I started with zero knowledge of the apparel industry. I didn’t have a budget for consultants or a production team, so I had to learn everything myself—from fabric sourcing and design to sewing, printing, photography, videography, editing, building a website, learning SEO, and navigating digital marketing. The technical side of things was incredibly challenging and honestly overwhelming at times.

But I kept going because I believed in the product—and because I knew I wasn’t the only one who needed it.

I’m most proud of the fact that this brand exists today because of sheer determination and purpose. Every shirt represents a solution I couldn’t find, so I created it. And now it’s helping other women feel free, comfortable, and confident in their bodies—on their own terms.

If there’s one thing I want the world to know, it’s this: Flying Lotus Apparel was built from scratch, with no roadmap—just a clear intention to make life a little better, one shirt at a time.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Colorado is full of beauty and fun, so I’d mix city vibes with outdoor adventures. We’d catch a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre or go for a scenic mountain hike. I’d take them downtown Denver for a stroll through Union Station and the RiNo Art District for street murals and good drinks. For food, we’d definitely hit up Sushi Den and some amazing Korean spots in Aurora—like Seoul BBQ or Tofu story. It’d be a week of great views, good food, and even better company.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I wouldn’t be where I am without the love and support of my family. My husband has been my rock throughout this journey. He believed in the idea even before I fully did and constantly encouraged me to move forward, even when I doubted myself. My girlfriends also deserve a huge shoutout—they were there for every stage of development, helping me test, critique, and refine each prototype. They weren’t just giving feedback; they were my hype girls, my cheerleaders, and my mirror when I needed perspective.

Flying Lotus Apparel may have started with my vision, but it was brought to life through a circle of people who lifted me up. I definitely couldn’t have done it alone.

Website: https://flyinglotusapparel.com

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