Elisabeth Strunk’s life revolves around creation. An art teacher, studio manager and fashion designer all at the same time, intentional creativity makes up her day-to-day. Stepping into her personal space, that quality is remarkably evident.
An introvert and self-proclaimed minimalist, Strunk is intentional about the material goods she surrounds herself with. Travel mementos and personal paintings decorate her walls. Lining her shelves are craft supplies and colorful books (and maybe the odd bug in a jar – she just loves bugs, okay?). And her unique brand of empathetic whimsy infuses every inch of her space.
Her closet, while minimal in color, is no exception, with pieces from small creators and local vintage shops and gifts from her family and friends lining the racks. In between, not-your-average staple pieces fill the space: quality denim in a range of silhouettes, shirts in either black or white, each with some special detail, whether that’s shoulder pads or flowing sleeves.
Pepper in a drool-worthy collection of trucker hats, statement shoes and her trustworthy rotation of heavy silver jewelry, and looking at Strunk’s closet brings one truth to light: a self-proclaimed minimalist she may be, but Elizabeth Strunk is a minimalist with an artist’s eye, vested in play and refusing to fall in line with traditional rules of fashion.
“You can’t tell me what to wear”: Rules are Made to be Broken
Strunk has never been one to fit a mold. Growing up in the height of indie sleaze, she’s always adopted that “let them judge,” attitude. In her personal style, that attitude manifested through pieces that felt true to her artistic spirit rather than mall mannequins or mainstream trends.
“I can remember this outfit I wore during spring break that was this jersey knit pleated skirt, maroon Air Force 1s with tall socks, and I had this funky little hat,” Strunk shared. “I just always wore wacky shit.”
Even before she was old enough to step out on spring break, Strunk experimented with personal style. Never one to participate in spirit days or abide by arbitrary rules about which colors “go together,” she always felt encouraged to express herself authentically.
“I wanted Abercrombie clothes and certain things, because you can’t escape adolescence. But I think, too, my parents always just let me be whoever I wanted to be,” Strunk shared. “I remember thinking as a kid: ‘That shit’s so stupid. You can’t tell me what to wear.’ That’s still how I feel.”
Whether it was rebellion against following rules or an impermeable sense of self learned, that tendency proved pivotal in Strunk’s adult life, where she found professional happiness not by landing a major role but by leaving one.
After completing her art education degree, she spent a few years teaching before moving to Colorado and taking a job in museum administration. In the aftermath of the COVID pandemic, she took (what she thought was) a break from admin work. Instead, she never returned to a desk job. As it turns out, the need for a break was the rebellious spirit inside her was pushing her to forge her own path.
“I sat down at my desk at the museum and I was like, ‘I don’t want to fucking do this. I don’t want to sit at a desk for the rest of my life,’” said Strunk.
Strunk left the museum for a retail job in Patagonia, where she was quickly promoted to a visual merchandising role, designing the seasonal layout for the shop. From there, she revived her love of teaching and creation. Now, she manages an art studio in Boulder and teaches workshops at Fleur, all while nurturing her own brand of hand-painted clothing, Flash + Rose.
Strunk on Personal Style: “If I don’t feel like myself, I don’t wear it.”
As far as Strunk’s personal style is concerned, she’s taken a step back from jersey knit skirts and knee-high socks – but that doesn’t mean it’s any less authentic. She’s still experimenting, now with textures, silhouettes and layers.
She still doesn’t follow anyone else’s rules, but now Strunk makes them for herself. With her days full teaching independently, managing another studio, taking on commission projects and keeping Flash + Rose stocked at Strawberry Mountain, Scavenged Goods and Fleur, Strunk likes to keep the process simple.
“I just have too many decisions at this point in my life that I have to make on a day-to-day basis, so I really understand the concept of ‘the uniform,’” Strunk shared, referencing Steve Jobs’ stress-free turtleneck and jeans. “My closet is black and white with a little tiny section of color. I have a rotation of black t-shirts, black pants, black shoes.”
Nevertheless “simple” does not a boring wardrobe make. Instead, it’s through the finer details that Strunk’s personal style shines. While a denim Oxford shirt and jeans may seem straight forward, Strunk’s version is entirely unique, opting for a baggy barrel cut and high-quality vintage denim.
“Style is more about how you wear the clothes, not what the clothes are,” Strunk explained. “I love layers, and I love textures. The silhouette is crucial.”
Plus, with a penchant for cheeky accessories and a well-trained thrifter’s eye, her closet is highly curated. She’ll add a little color with vintage shoes or scarves she’s spent years collecting, or she’ll lean edgier with her well-loved biker boots or Doc Martens. She’ll play with details in a way only an artist can.
But ultimately, Strunk’s personal style stems from a rule that’s not really a rule at all. Instead, she moves with a practiced gut instinct when getting dressed.
“When I put on an outfit, if I don’t feel like myself, I don’t wear it,” shared Strunk.
READ: Documenting Denver Style: Introducing The Pink Garage
The Art is in the Details
For someone whose life revolves around creation, Strunk is surprisingly protective of simplicity. At least, it would be surprising without close attention.
Instead, Strunk lives in a world where simplicity and creativity live in tandem: where a black-and-white closet comes alive in the details.
In fact, it’s in the synchronicity of stillness and imagination that Strunk thrives – as an artist, as a teacher and as a designer. When designing a runway collection, she flosses her brain with other projects, and, as she’s grown as an artist, she’s learned to bask and rest in the aftermath of bigger accomplishments, taking time to recharge before creating again to avoid burnout.
And while Flash + Rose is an outlet for maximalism and performance art, her creative process mirrors the same artist roots and instinctual individualism she’s always leaned on.
“I view myself as more of a painter and an artist and less of a clothing designer,” Strunk shared. “I’ve really switched to viewing clothes as a canvas to paint on, and I’ve really had fun leaning into the weirdness with that.”
Perhaps this outlook, this view of clothing as a canvas, is a symbol for something bigger: in freeing herself from complete reinvention, Strunk nurtures the details, transforming items that already exist into pieces that feel authentic to her artist lens.
And maybe that’s why her closet feels so distinctly hers. Strunk shines through in every piece, living at the intersection of experimentation and reliability, of playful textures and the loyal line-up of rings that goes with her everywhere, through every accomplishment.
The art was never in accumulating more or dressing louder. Instead, the art is in the details.
All photos by Helen Yoseph for Denver Dive. Follow The Pink Garage on Instagram for a closet tour with Elisabeth Strunk.
