the founders edit
In this Founders Edit, we speak with Barbara Brenninkmeijer, founder and creative mind behind by-bar, and Carla Highet, co-owner and driving force behind the brand’s international growth. What started as an accessories collection grew into a full-fledged lifestyle brand with a conscious vision of fashion.
As a B Corp™-certified and female-led company, we feel responsible from day one to make a positive impact – on fashion, the world and the women around us. With timeless designs and conscious choices, we want to empower and inspire women to confidently follow their own path. A message that we are giving extra force on International Women’s Day: empowering women, inspiring women.
Barbara & Carla
What drove you to start by-bar? Did you always have the ambition to create your own label (for and by women) and make a positive impact?
Fashion has always been a way for me to show who you are. I believe that clothing is more than something you wear; it can be an extension of who you are and how you live your life. With by-bar I wanted to create a brand that goes beyond trends; timeless, honest and with a focus on quality.
From the start, my mission was not only to dress women, but also to inspire and empower them. Whether that is through an outfit that makes you feel powerful, or by working with female makers and entrepreneurs. It is an essential part of our brand and who we are.
Where do you get your inspiration for the collections and the growth of by-bar? And how do powerful women play a role in this?
For me (Barbara), inspiration comes from everything: from travel and art to vintage finds and the street scene. But especially from the women around me, from the women who wear our clothes to my team and other creatives. Their strength, elegance and versatility are a huge source of creativity. The by-bar woman is self-confident, knows what she wants and chooses consciously. You can see that in our collections; feminine, timeless, with a strong focus on quality and sustainability.
In addition, the growth of by-bar motivates us to continue to innovate, without losing sight of our core values. The collaboration with our team and our partners brings fresh ideas and insights and inspires us enormously, so that we continue to build a strong and inspiring brand together.
Why is it so important for you to build long-term, equal relationships with suppliers and how does this contribute to female empowerment?
For us, sustainability is not just about materials, but also about how and with whom we work. Our suppliers are not ‘suppliers’, but partners, people with whom we have been building something beautiful for years and have built a strong relationship. For example, we have been working with our partners in India, Italy, Portugal and Turkey since the very beginning, where craftsmanship is passed on from generation to generation. Many women in these regions are given the opportunity for financial independence and growth through our work. That is what fair fashion is about: not only creating beautiful collections, but also contributing to a better future for the people behind the product.
by-bar is a female-led brand. Why is it so important for you to work with and for women, and how does that translate into your company culture?
by-bar is built on female entrepreneurship. From day one, I (Barbara) have been surrounded by inspiring women, from the people in our team to the makers in our studios and the creatives we work with. We strongly believe in working together, strengthening each other and creating opportunities. You can see that in our company culture: we encourage each other, think in possibilities and celebrate each other's successes. In addition, we design for women, and who understands their needs better than we do? It feels like a natural and powerful dynamic to work with and for women. Although we are a female-led company, we also value the male energy within by-bar. The down-to-earth dynamic that this brings is a valuable addition to our team. Ultimately, it's about working together and strengthening each other.
What is the most valuable lesson you have learned as female entrepreneurs in the fashion industry?
That you have to keep trusting your own vision, even when the road sometimes feels uncertain. The fashion industry is dynamic and sometimes challenging, but we have learned that with a strong foundation, a clear mission and the right people around you, you can achieve anything. Growth comes with trial and error, but if you stay true to yourself and make choices that really feel good, you create something that is sustainable and meaningful.
