Confident, ambitious and adventurous. This is how Penn State student Sydney DeMedio describes her clothing brand, Wander Babe. The travel-inspired apparel puts comfort and fashion at the center of airport attire. VALLEY had the opportunity to speak with DeMedio about being a student business owner, upcoming product releases and the future of Wander Babe.
Meet Sydney
Currently a sophomore in the Smeal College of Business, DeMedio started the clothing and accessory brand as a way to help people feel comfortable and confident while traveling. Her designs are influenced by her own travel habits.
A lot of my designs come from different travel memories or just inspirations that I get from traveling.
DeMedio said that her favorite place she’s traveled to so far is Rome, Italy. She gushed about the city’s rich history and the various cooking and food tours.
When she’s not traveling or running Wander Babe, she’s going to class and taking exams like every other student. DeMedio admits that it’s difficult to balance a business with academics and a social life, but focuses on improving her time management to accomplish her goals.
Wander Far, Wander Always
When asked about the recent discourse surrounding airport fashion and whether travelers should wear laid-back clothes or professional outfits, DeMedio emphasized that people should wear whatever feels comfortable.
People just want to feel cozy on the airplane or the train, wherever they’re going. So, that’s my take on it. I just say, be comfortable, but, you know, keep up a cute look as well.
Jet Set To McLanahan’s
If you’re still looking for comfy fits for campus or the perfect sweat set to wear on spring break, Wander Babe has you covered. Their website has a variety of sweat sets, hats and luggage tags to fit various personal styles. If you prefer to shop in person, you can take a walk down College Avenue to McLanahan’s to check out two different sweat sets and other Wander Babe accessories.
After McLanahan’s reached out to her via Instagram to carry part of her collection, Wander Babe held a pop-up in front of the store on Oct. 10 to promote the launch. DeMedio describes it as “surreal” to pass by the store knowing her products are inside, and she loves seeing people sporting her brand out in the wild.
It’s insane that people are wearing it out on campus. It’s so fun to see everyone wearing it.
Where To Now?
DeMedio offered VALLEY some teasers about what’s next for Wander Babe. In the short term, expect some new color drops for Valentine’s Day. She also wants to do pop-ups around college campuses, so be sure to follow them on Instagram and TikTok for updates!
In the next few years, DeMedio hopes to take Wander Babe to the next level by eventually collaborating with different airlines, airports and influencers. Her dream would be working with American Airlines or Emirates.
For those interested in working with other ambitious peers, DeMedio wants to grow her team in the future. She recently hired a social media intern, but down the road, there may be positions for accounting or supply chain interns.
[I] definitely want to incorporate students, and be able to grow with them.
Let us know where your wanderlust takes you, and show off your Wander Babe fits by tagging @VALLEYMag on Instagram!
As a Newbie, I am constantly searching online for articles that can benefit me. Thank you
I’ve been surfing on-line more than 3 hours these days, yet I by no means found any fascinating article like yours. It is pretty value sufficient for me. Personally, if all website owners and bloggers made just right content material as you did, the net will likely be much more useful than ever before.
This really answered my problem, thank you!
What i do not realize is in fact how you are not actually much more well-preferred than you might be now. You’re very intelligent. You understand therefore considerably with regards to this matter, made me personally imagine it from a lot of various angles. Its like women and men are not involved except it’s something to accomplish with Girl gaga! Your personal stuffs excellent. At all times deal with it up!
Nice read, I just passed this onto a friend who was doing a little research on that. And he actually bought me lunch as I found it for him smile Thus let me rephrase that: Thank you for lunch!
You really make it seem so easy along with your presentation but I in finding this matter to be really something which I think I might never understand. It sort of feels too complicated and very large for me. I am looking ahead to your subsequent submit, I will try to get the dangle of it!
It’s the best time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I want to suggest you few interesting things or advice. Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article. I desire to read even more things about it!
Way cool, some valid points! I appreciate you making this article available, the rest of the site is also high quality. Have a fun.
You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and extremely broad for me. I’m looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
I got good info from your blog