From Freshman Dorm To Fashion Week

Written by Laila Musleh

Previously worn by Tana Mongeau at New York Fashion Week, and spotted on Brielle Biermann on Bravo TV, Baylen Stroh (@baylenstroh), founder, designer, the ultimate creative inspiration behind the jewelry line StrungbyStroh, unveiled the reality of leading a small business in today's fashion world.

Baylen credits her family for the inspiration behind starting StrungbyStroh. She recalled making jewelry alongside the lake with her sister Sumner and her grandma; “So my inspiration was definitely my grandma. She was a huge influence in my life. She was a professor and had a jewelry line that she would sell in local stores in her small town in Minnesota”. Baylen then continues to note her mom's jewelry collection which aided Baylen’s growing passion for accessories. Ultimately, Baylen commends her family for creating an artistic outlet and maintaining unconditional support for her growing business and all of her future endeavors. 

While attending Texas Tech University, in her freshman dorm room, Baylen turned these intimate family memories and a growing passion of hers into a prosperous business; “Almost six years ago, my sister and I made this design. It was the first design that came out, it was the Hypnotic choker, it was just a beaded choker”. She recollects other students’ eagerness to buy the choker, and following that moment, Baylons instinct was to start selling her designs. The concept of StrungbyStroh came to life in March of 2016, following two months of preparation: collecting advice from her father, designing the website, and creating a few solid pieces, May of 2016, Baylen finally launched StrungbyStroh; “It's really grown from there and I hope to just keep doing it and keep expanding”.

Behind The Scenes:

Nature and films are huge influencers on Baylen’s designs. One of her favorite pieces, the Allegra necklace: a gold chain with a crystal-like pendant, was inspired by the show The Great on Hulu. Baylen was absolutely fascinated by the “Victorian look in the statement pieces featured”, and incorporated that delicacy and prestige in her design. At other times, she’s inspired by the emotions and visuals conveyed through the characters or the music. From our conversation, it was clear that Baylen adores the aesthetics carried throughout the 18th and 19th century; in her designs, she reincarnates the whimsical, fantastical, and elegant spirit of the centuries and aligns it with the modern world today. In her own words, her jewelry is “unique and timeless”.

For each piece Baylen designs, she finds a manufacturer that ensures the quality and appearance of the jewelry “some pieces are more difficult, especially if they're more detailed”. The time period between the conception and birth of each design also differs; some pieces take a month or as long as 6 months. “I’m all about finding the best quality, that is super important to me. For example, the design I'm working on right now that's being launched really soon, has been a long process because it's super super detailed, or a pair of earrings is a 4 month process, I'm very particular”, she explained. 

“I made everything, I handpackage it, because I think it's important to still have that personal touch with it. I write a hand note for every order someone places. It's not just a business to me, it's my passion”. For numerous small business owners, watching consumers purchase their work is less of a transaction in their eyes, and more of an accomplishment and further encouragement to continue pursuing their ambitions.“Even now after almost six years, I get so excited about every single sale. I hope people know I put all my effort and heart into this. When you’re supporting somebody and their passion it really means a lot. It brings so much joy to my life”.

SUMNER X SBS & MANIFESTLUCKYME:

UMNER X SBS is a collaborative collection between Baylen and her sister Sumner. The concept of the collection was sparked by a sterling silver ring they designed together. “It's a sterling silver smiley face”, which Baylen emphasized is “very Sumner''.  The other pieces under SUMNER X SBS are all ideas and creations by Sumner herself; whenever Baylen finds herself designing a piece that falls under Sumner’s aesthetic, they’ll collaborate on its production and incorporate it in the collection.

Baylen described these pieces as fun, funky, and bold. “That's all my sister, we would talk and she would come up with ideas and just make super fun funky things: the lighting bolt hat, the LMAO hat, she names them everything, that's all her designs”. The SUMNER X SBS collection is a true representation of the admirable bond between Baylen and Sumner; “I love her unique sense of fashion”. She goes further describing the immense amount of support and encouragement Sumner provides. The built-in friendship is truly the cherry on top of StrungbyStroh; Sumner pushes Baylen to maintain her sense of self and to achieve her greatest potential with her business. 

Alongside StrungbyStroh, Baylen launched the apparel line ManifestLuckyMe. It officially came out to the public during the spring of 2021, however, Baylen had been working behind the scenes since 2020. Currently in graduate school and pursuing a Master’s Degree in psychology, the concept of this line is inspired by her psychology background; she focuses her pieces on the power of affirmations and manifestations. She explained that ManifestLuckyMe is about “manifesting your own luck, living in a positive headspace, and going through this journey that is life now with covid, and being comfortable in your own body as well”. All across her social media and the apparel, affirmations are prominent; Baylen explained that through the affirmations, her goal is to ultimately create a positive outlet for art and self authenticity.

When asked about the significance of affirmations in her day to day life, Baylen described a white board in her office that is a constant reminder of her growing success; she emphasized that the affirmations have allowed her to stay glued to her true artistic expressions and goals.

Within the apparel, Baylens favorite piece is the brown sweatset; the set consists of a crew neck and sweatshorts with a “Lucky me, I’ll manifest it” print. Baylen sought after a “lived in feel” with the material; She aimed to create a blend that imitates a thrifted vintage sweatshirt, “It’s so comfortable”. The apparel line also carries tank tops, t-shirts, socks, and most popular amongst the customers, the hats. My favorite would have to be the socks; they’re crew socks with a green “Lucky me” printed on top. In comparison to the “unique and timeless” essence of the jewelry, Baylon described the apparel as “funky and bold”.

Going into 2022, Baylen aims to include more apparel and jewelry for men, expand the variety of unsiex peices, and design more size inclusive apparel. 

2022 And Beyond!

When first introduced to StrungbyStroh, I immediately fell in love with the versatility and minimalistic style of the pieces. However, what I found so alluring is the quirkiness in the Woman necklace, Kait hoops, and MJ hoops. I’m just so utterly infatuated with their taboo nature. 

Going into 2022, Baylen is working on creating funky heirloom pieces, ones in which last generations and can be passed down from one loved one to the next. She describes them as “Pieces that are solid gold, when you see them you'll know immediately that's StrungbyStroh. So I am really dedicating my time to hand drawing everything and making sure it has my stamp on it and it's just 100% original 100% stroh”. With that, Baylen intends to open a pop up shop, and branch out to retailers, of which include: Revolve, Nordstrom, Urban Outfitters, and Free people. She also looks forward to eventually collaborating with the size inclusive Mayfair group and streetwear brand Lonely Ghost.

One of my absolute favorite models, Bella Hadid, tops Baylens list of celebrities she hopes to one day wear StrungbyStroh. Matilda Djerf, Kacey Mugraves, and Lady Gaga complete the list of whom Baylen also dreams of spotting in her designs. When mentioning her upcoming piece, Baylen ecstatically emphasized “It’s definitely one of my favorites, it’s inspired by Greek Mythology, hopefully it comes out for a Valentines launch. I would love to see it on Lady Gaga, I can see her wearing it”.

Trends And Impact In Fashion:

The fashion industry is in a constant state of flux. It’s just a fact of life. We continuously revamp our closets to fit in with the new colors, patterns, or even a whole new identity that is suddenly idolized by society. Baylen explained, when starting StrungbyStroh, her instinct was to follow such trends, however, after gaining confidence and feeling established within her business, she focused on the vision she initially aspired to have, and designed jewelry that communicates her true artistic expression. Ultimately, Baylens designs have become more Baylen and less society. “I would say as my brand grew, it stuck to my aesthetic that I wanted it to be, rather than trends. I definitely incorporate things here and there that go along with trends like colors or stones, but otherwise, I’m sticking to my vision”, she explained. 

When asked about the impact small businesses have on the industry, Baylen credited her customers’ support; she noted that her jewelry being worn at any point and in any context is an impact by itself. She then continues to emphasize “Small businesses like StrungbyStroh help everyone elevate their personal styles, that's the impact, that's what's most important to me!”. StrungbyStroh and the numerous other small businesses in fashion can give fashion enthusiasts with distinct styles a sense of community and purpose.

So You Want To Start A Small Business?

Baylen stressed that consistency and patience are key when opening and growing a small business; her advice is to start with a few pieces that convey your true self and the intended message of your business, and consistently promote the hell out of it, whether that be on Facebook, Instagram, or even word of mouth. “You’re not always gonna /make a sale the first day you start a business, things take time, especially now people want that instant gratification, so patience is key.”.

She explained that when you follow your vision, and put your love and passion into your work, your customers will see that and follow along with your journey. In the end, your name is the face of your brand, so how do you want your name to exist in the eyes of your customers?

StrungbyStroh is truly a business to adore and support. The passion and love put into each design is transparent and cannot be walked past; “I hope people know I put all my effort and heart into this. I sit at my desk, I write the notes, and make the pieces. It brings so much joy to my life. When you’re supporting somebody and their passion it really means a lot. It’s a rush of joy”. 

Be on the lookout for the Valentines launch and follow Baylens journey @strungbystroh & @manifestluckyme on instagram! You can shop her pieces at strungbystroh.net!