Photo by Amanda Hearn.
Sometimes it can be hard to find a store that gives you the perfect up-to-date and vintage look. Your problem has been solved. Strike is a local West Chester social media based clothing company that you may already follow on Instagram. The creators took the time to talk to me about the upcoming release of Strike and its current success.
The Instagram page “@strike_clothingco” was started by three girls. The name Strike was an idea one of the girls had for a future magazine and it just stuck with them. The credit for these clothes go to Kelly Daley, a 19-year-old sophomore majoring in media and culture (@kellydaley), Carly Daley, a 21-year-old junior also majoring in media and culture (@darleycaley) and Sabrina Derstine, a 20-year-old communication major (@sabderstine). All sales are based out of West Chester, and the company is located a block off campus on S Walnut St.
You may be wondering how this all began. They shared with me that they “always loved fashion and clothes and thrifting clothes, so we decided to share it with the world.” The three run it themselves and also make the clothes themselves as well. At first, it was just fun to do, but now, they claim to be fully committed. “We love doing this, it’s the best seeing people love the clothes we sell them.”
Bleached sweatshirts and shirts are their favorite items to make because “they’re the most universal.” New clothes are posted daily, and about a month after the startup is when they really took off with sales almost every day. Friends told friends and shared posts, and the brand began to spread. They advertise on their personal pages ,and customers who tag them are also a great easy way to advertise. Strike has done some giveaways to promote the brand, so make sure to keep updated on their Instagram.
Recently, on April 26, Strike had its first pop-up sale from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. The girls explained, “we gathered hundreds of items and designed our own Strike apparel and put tags on them.” They opened their place for all to come shop. If all goes well, they hope to have more next semester. Personally, I hope it did go well and look forward to more. I had time to stop by and the place was packed with girls all wanting Strike clothing. Reasonable prices, cute clothes and accessories meant no one left empty handed. Fortunately, some of the clothes are left and posted for sale online, so you still have a chance to shop.
I’m sure by now you want more. I sure do. The girls expressed to me hopeful plans for the future of the company. As of right now, their sales are primarily in West Chester, but the girls plan on expanding to an online shop very soon. Their hope is that Strike will be something that is positively associated with WCU and West Chester. At one point, though, we all will leave WCU, and what will happen then? Of course, it is hard to be positive about the future, but they still have two years left and plan to focus on making the best of it. They continue to do what they love and hope Strike will flourish as they do.
Don’t miss out on this awesome company started by three typical girls with a passion and a goal. Make sure to follow their page and keep an eye out for future sales, giveaways and clothes that look like they were made just for you. I love their items and their dedication to the customers, and I think you will find good service by Strike Clothing Co.
Amanda Hearn is a second-year student majoring in psychology. AH888217@wcupa.edu