Strike Gold
Behind the scenes with the creatives of Strike Magazine
What happens when the creative, driven, and outspoken students of Florida State University enter the fashion world? Strike Magazine happens.
Strike is the nation’s preeminent student fashion publication, known for its experimental approach to garments, scenes, and photo editing. Now masterminded via independent chapters at 14 college campuses, its origins are closer to home: Strike was founded in Tallahassee in 2017, and Florida State still houses its active matriarch chapter.
We spoke with Strike’s executive creative team for the current academic year about how the avant-garde magic of the magazine comes to life.
Photo Courtesy of Strike Magazine
Q&A with Nicole Jaroscak, editor in chief of Strike Magazine
Q: At Strike, and for you as an editor, where does the creative process begin?
Our creative process starts with a feeling. Before I stepped into this role, I wondered how an issue theme is developed. I learned that it is easiest to develop by using a feeling close to me in that moment in my life—a feeling I can share.
For instance, our Issue 18 theme is “Liminal.” Our team developed this by reflecting on how we felt stepping into our new executive positions. It felt scary and intimidating to step into such big roles with high bars, but at the same time, rewarding.
Q: When bringing an abstract concept like “liminal” into the reality of fashion, how do you develop looks that represent these themes?
The aesthetic always comes first. When we start working on an issue, we already have a visual mood in our heads that ties back to the theme. We pull a lot of inspiration from Pinterest boards; other fashion publications like Vogue, Elle, and Vanity Fair; as well as movies and music that match the tone we want to capture.
Once we have that direction set—the overall vibe, mood, and color palette—we start developing the looks that fit within it. Every outfit detail is intentional, from the color story to the texture or silhouette, and connected to the feeling we want to portray. For me, it’s less about the clothes coming first and more about building an aesthetic that the clothes naturally belong in. That’s what makes it all feel cohesive and meaningful.
Q: What does the process look like when a look is coming together? For instance, from where are garments sourced? How do you choose which model will wear what in a shoot?
It honestly starts with one big brainstorming session. The executive team, the shoots team, and the styling team all start throwing around ideas for looks. We’ll spend hours scrolling through old runway shows, mood boards, Pinterest, and any references that match our theme. It’s chaotic in the best way. From there, we start building styling boards where everyone can drop in pieces—whether that’s something thrifted, a cool piece we found online, or even something we could DIY or alter.
When it comes to sourcing, we almost always go secondhand. We’ll make trips to Goodwill, Salvation Army, or pull from our own closets. Our styling team is very talented, so if there’s a piece we want that isn’t something we can buy, they are able to create the look and bring the vision to life. As for models, we usually choose them before finalizing the looks. Knowing who we’re styling allows us to pick or design pieces that complement their features and movement in front of the camera. It’s all about bringing out their essence while staying true to the story we’re telling through the shoot.
Photo Courtesy of Strike Magazine
Q: What do you love most about seeing the finished product of a look, a shoot, or an entire issue?
The feeling of accomplishment and relief that comes with it. The process of bringing the magazine to life is exciting but overwhelming at times. When I finally have the finished product in my hands, it’s incredibly rewarding. Knowing how much effort went into every stage—the long hours of planning, coordinating, and perfecting—makes it all worth it.
Seeing the reactions from family, friends, and even strangers is the best part. It feels like a weight has been lifted, and all that hard work paid off.
Q: What’s the energy during a Strike photoshoot?
The energy during a Strike photoshoot is always high and contagious. We make sure to keep the vibe positive from the start—blasting music, laughing, and just getting in the zone together. Everyone feeds off each other’s energy. We’re constantly hyping each other up. Even on long shoot days, the excitement keeps us going and makes the time fly by.
Q: How would you describe Strike’s identity in the fashion world?
I’d describe Strike Magazine as the student version of Vogue, and honestly, I’m not the only one who thinks that. I’ve heard it from so many others, which really validates how far we’ve come. Even though Strike is a student-run publication, the level of creativity, effort, and precision that goes into each issue feels so much more elevated than your typical campus magazine. Our identity is editorial, sleek, and unforgettable.
Photo Courtesy of Strike Magazine
Q: You’re currently a Florida State University student. How does being a student inform your role as an editor, especially at a publication that began at Florida State and spread nationwide?
Even though Florida State University (FSU) isn’t a fashion school, Strike has given me a space to express my creativity and connect with others who share that same passion. It’s created a community for people who love fashion and want to make it present on our campus. Being part of the original chapter that started it all makes it even more special.
I feel proud knowing we’ve built something that’s grown beyond FSU and inspired students nationwide. Balancing classes and creative work has also taught me how to manage my time, collaborate, and bring ideas to life even when resources are limited, which makes every finished issue that much more rewarding.
Q: What do you envision for the future of Strike during your time as editor and beyond?
The future of Strike is only going up from here. It’s already grown so much nationwide, and even in the two years I’ve been part of it, I’ve seen huge growth. From Issue 14 to now, the creativity and professionalism have reached a new level. There’s so much potential in what we can do and the impact we can have. I even meet people back home in Miami who don’t go to FSU but know about Strike, which shows how far our reach is. During my time as editor, I want to keep that momentum going, elevating our shoots, concepts, and more. Beyond my time here, I see Strike becoming a nationally recognized name in student fashion media and a starting point for creatives who want real experience in the industry.
Photo Courtesy of Strike Magazine
Q&A with External Affairs Director Julia Clifford and Creative Director Marcela Nieves
Q: What do you love most about seeing the finished product of a look, a shoot, or an entire issue?
JC: It is truly one of the most rewarding feelings ever. Every last detail within the magazine, whether it’s the styling, the set design, or how the concepts flow together, is a reminder of how much time, energy, and love we poured into it together. I love getting to imagine the process over and over again and relive the memories.
MV: I love knowing all the love and dedication that goes into the making of our creative projects, as well as reflecting on the personal development achieved through their completion. Every part of a photoshoot has a memory attached to it that also led to our growth as creatives, and more so, as people.
Q: What’s the energy during a Strike photoshoot?
JC: Infectious. The creativity among us, the confidence, and the dedication to get the shot is indescribable. For those few hours, everyone is fully and passionately dedicated to the same thing, and you can feel it in the room.
MV: It can be best described as a collective flow state. On these days, time passes effortlessly as we come together to execute our creative vision as authentically as possible. Everyone involved has a distinct and irreplaceable role that contributes to this synergy. All ego is checked at the door, and we can explore our ideas with our hearts on our sleeves.
Q: How would you describe Strike’s identity in the fashion world?
JC: Experimental. We strive to take influence from the brands leading the couture industry, while making it our own. Many of the pieces are custom-made by our styling team, or we take days to scout for exactly the right piece. It’s all very intentional.
MV: Youthful and authentic. Every issue is a result of the art, cinema, and fashion media we, the Tallahassee youth, immerse ourselves in. We consume this media, feel some way about it, sit with the feeling and inspect what it might be rooted in, and reinterpret it to make it our own.
