I quite literally have a physical reaction to art that strikes me as beautiful. I gasp and my jaw drops, my heart beats faster and sometimes I clutch my fists in little balls into my chest. It hits hard. I felt that way most recently when the May edition of Vogue landed on my coffee table (and yes, I am a physical print reader as long as they’ll keep producing them). I was in awe. Zendaya’s dress as an oversized blooming red Dolce and Gabbana satin rose, with a background of greenery and a few leaves and stems strategically placed on her arm…obsessed. Combined with the moodiness of an Annie Leibovitz shot, this is one of those images that will be imprinted in my mind for life. 

I have a number of these imprint-able, make-you-feel-something fashion moments that I recall often when thinking about art; the most pivotal being the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibit at the MET in NYC in 2011. Not long before, I found myself in a department store in London where I came eye to eye with a McQueen clutch in black leather, with the bronze winged skull knuckle duster on top of the clasp. I held it in my hands like the exquisite piece of art that it truly was. I felt dizzy with the magnitude of this piece. It wasn’t something I wanted to wear, but rather something I wanted to keep, belong to and admire. I’m still searching for that clutch as it was pulled from stores due to trademark issues with the Hells Angels motorcycle club.  There is such a tragic beauty, a juxtaposition of darkness and femininity that I feel in the depths of my soul within the pieces of that particular show. 

Art sticks with me like music, outfits, and even my manicures do – as a marker in time. (I’ll forever associate my short, Essie Wicked nails with my years working corporate in Philadelphia, the Theory and Ann Taylor I wore to the office on the 37th floor, with my Louboutins that I wore to happy hours around the city even though Christian Louboutin himself said they are not for walking around in). I know who I was with, how I felt, where I was, and exactly what I was doing. It transports me back in time and wraps me in nostalgia. Occasionally, it inspires me in forward momentum too. (The Row clears my mind, creates simplicity in thinking, and a drive to productivity.)  

I let my gut guide me and have found other fashion lines that invoke that same feeling of being seen or wanting to create an external presentation of myself through the looks:

LOEWE

I almost fell over when I saw these sunglasses. I might wear them, but moreso, they are little sculptures of joy that I squealed over and sought out at every department store until I could hold them in my hands.

GUCCI

I was so lit up reading about Sabato de Sarno before his new collection came out. When I got a glimpse of the Ancora collection, named for his signature color, Ancora (which reminds me of my high school uniform), I needed to see all of it. I also felt butterflies when I saw the social media drops of the classic monogram travel collection with pops of neon on the neutral fabric. My desire to travel has never pulled harder.

THE ROW

Simplicity is art in and of itself. The restraint in the sculptural and clean lines is striking. Whenever I see a piece from The Row, I feel empowered, driven, in control. Each piece takes up space and needs its own space. You can’t get too close or crowded with The Row. 

PRADA

The detail and the way Prada can harness the feelings of girlhood and masculinity simultaneously. It’s truly unmatched.

RICK OWENS AND ANN DEMEULEMEESTE

Rick Owens and Ann Demeulemeester’s gothic shreds make me feel like I’m truly a part of Los Angeles. Having moved here over 10 years ago, I fell in love with the layers and tatters that seem to come from the depths of the creative mind. 

MARC JACOBS

I’d be remiss to leave out Marc Jacobs for Perry Ellis, 1992 – when I look at the collection, I FEEL my teen angst, I HEAR Nirvana playing, I can smell the Clinique Black Honey lipstick, MAC eyeshadow and Sunflowers perfume, and I remember and embody the freedom that grunge gave us. I remember who I am and I reclaim that youth and rebellion in a new way. 

It is the McQueen clutch, the Louboutin heels, the Loewe sunglasses, the Ancora collection that I use as metrics for my memories. Stood still in time; the fashion moments that have defined me.

***All photos are directly from the brand’s website or Instagram and belong to the brand.

WRITTEN BY KRISTEN RIVENBARK

Born and raised on the east coast where I spent much of my 20s living in Philadelphia and traipsing NYC, I have been living in Los Angeles for the past 10 years where I thrive on the slower lifestyle and rebelliousness and feel most at home. I’m a mama (totally a “cool mom”, in my opinion), working in the entertainment industry full time and nurturing my passions in wellness, fashion, beauty, luxury and nature. You will find me in my free time sitting outside with organic coffee, a print copy of Vogue and a book by Dr. Dispenza on my kindle.

IG: @kristen_rivenbark

Substack: @kristenrivenbark

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