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Jaanuu is Making Stylish Scrubs for the Healthcare Industry

Jaanuu scrubs
Courtesy brand

We all know what medical scrubs look like and we all know that they're usually, well, not very stylish. Granted, medical professionals wear scrubs for functional reasons, but there is something to be said about combining function and fashion. After all, being a nurse or doctor doesn't mean that you shouldn't be able look good and professional at the same time. One company, Jaanuu, is trying to change that. The brand, founded by brother-sister duo Dr. Neela Sethi Young and private equity investor Shaan Sethi, is taking inspiration from the runways and applying it to create scrubs that you might actually want to wear, even if you're not a nurse.

We chatted with designer manager Shireen Jamehdor to find out all about the brand, and how she creates the cool scrubs you may see the next time you pay your doctor a visit.

Where did the idea for these scrubs come from?

Our co-founder and CEO, Shaan Sethi, started Jaanuu after being inspired by his sister, pediatrician Dr. Neela Sethi Young, who was tired of having to wear boxy, ill-fitting uniforms that had become standard in the healthcare industry. She realized this was a major pain point for others after hearing the same complaint from countless healthcare professionals.

Courtesy brand

What were some key things you took into consideration during the design process?

Because I’m designing for healthcare professionals who work long hours and are constantly moving around and seeing tons of patients in a day, comfort and functionality are two things I always keep in mind. It’s all about finding that perfect balance between comfort and a figure-flattering fit so that healthcare professionals look good and feel good. I strive to include designs that reinvent the traditional boxy and frumpy uniform into scrubs that people actually want to wear.

What were some of the reference points you used to create these designs?

One of the most important reference points for most — if not all — medical professionals is storage. Every top and pant has some form of pocket to hold the tools that are needed throughout their shifts such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizers, stethoscopes and more. Another key reference point to consider is modesty. Each garment must be designed in such a way as to not show any skin while lifting the arms, bending and moving around.

Why do you think that scrubs have been a neglected market? After all, nurses and doctors love fashion, too!

People think that scrubs are a niche item but they're really anything but. There are 13 million doctors and nurses in the U.S., and nursing itself is one of the fastest employment categories in the country right now. Chances are, every person has a friend or family member working in the healthcare profession.

Traditional scrubs haven't been updated since the 1970s and are frumpy, don't fit well and just don't look good. There's no reason why healthcare professionals, who work 12 plus hour days, can't look and feel good while they're helping patients feel better. With Jaanuu, doctors and nurses have a tailored, comfortable and better-looking alternative so that they can express their own individuality and style while wearing a "uniform."

Courtesy brand

What was the most challenging thing about creating these scrubs?

It was very clear that there was a demand in the medical apparel industry for more contemporary, fashion-forward uniforms. The challenging part is figuring out how far you can go with the "fashion" aspect. Designing for Jaanuu is very different from designing for True Religion and Lucky, where I'd previously worked. At Jaanuu, we strive to design scrubs that make healthcare professionals look and feel good — uniforms that they’re proud to wear — while still maintaining the level of professionalism that all hospitals and doctors’ offices require.


Where do you look to for inspiration when designing the scrubs?

I get my inspiration from a variety of sources. I’ll spend afternoons browsing physical stores to get ideas for clothing construction, different fabrics, and fun details. Of course, I always keep a pulse on high-fashion brands for the latest trends and to get ideas about different silhouettes. This gives me inspiration and ideas for different silhouettes and allows me to see what the current popular trends are. Last but not least, I get inspiration from my own closet! Sometimes I put on an outfit and think, “This would be cute as a scrub!”

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