About Us
At Route One Apparel, we’re all about one thing – fostering the sense of community that exists between people who come from the same place.
We create fashionable, affordable, and fun products that let our customers make a “STATE-ment” – and celebrate everything special and unique about their hometown, alma mater, workplace, or sports team.
From apparel to jewelry; home décor and kitchenware to pet garb; and even food and spirits, Route One Apparel offers a selection of more than 3,000 unique products found online and in stores across the region.
Route One Apparel holds official licensing agreements with many of the region’s most iconic and popular brands. We offer exclusive designs featuring National Bohemian, Old Bay, Utz, Domino Sugar, Hershey, University of Maryland, Towson University, the U.S. Naval Academy, and more.
Our designers regularly lend their talents to create one-of-a-kind custom products for businesses and organizations. We love collaborating with companies to design merchandise that does more than just feature your logo – it expresses your brand’s personality.
Route One Apparel promotes Maryland pride, and we want to help all small local businesses succeed. We are committed to advocating for other local businesses and encouraging customers to shop small and shop local. On our website, you’ll find a wide selection of products offered from local vendors – including Maryland-based breweries and distilleries.
We are passionate about giving back to the communities our staff and customers live, work, and play in. Route One Apparel supports a wide variety of nonprofits, community organizations, first responders and more through donations, fundraisers, and design collaborations.
Route One Apparel began in 2010 when our CEO & Founder, Ali von Paris, was still an undergraduate student at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business. Ali lost her waitressing job when a local bar closed, and she came up with the idea to design a t-shirt to commemorate the popular spot. The t-shirt sold quickly across the campus, and soon after Ali launched Route One Apparel, a budding e-commerce platform selling Maryland-pride apparel. Today, Route One Apparel merchandise is worn by local icons and fans of all ages across Maryland and beyond, and we are constantly expanding to foster pride for new communities, causes, and brands.