Conversations with Ariel Kochbarski

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariel Kochbarski.

Hi Ariel, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’m a stylist and costume designer. I started in the fashion business right after college in New York City. I had an art degree and was pounding the pavement searching for gallery gigs and auction house positions. I wasn’t having much luck and I met someone who was a Buyer at Saks Fifth Avenue. At that time, it was pre-recession and the stores were still very successful. They were hiring like crazy! I applied to an entry-level job in the Buying office and I got the job in women’s ready to wear. The most coveted department for any young buyer. My career blossomed from there and buying took all over the world. I worked for both brick and mortar retailers as well as e-commerce ones. It was a wonderful foundation for learning how to work with budgets, brands and how to curate a well thought out commercial assortment. I eventually moved to Los Angeles in early 2014 with a company that I had started within New York. The move allowed me to branch out of the traditional fashion wholesale system that is so entrenched in New York. In June 2016, I started my own brand consulting firm, working with a high-end Parisian trade show and retail group. I was always focused on the business side of fashion and fortunately had an eye for the creative side too – allowing me to easily work on multifaceted consulting projects. Post the 2020 pandemic, I decided to center my business on the creative side of retail. Styling and costume design are what came first to me and very naturally. I have been styling full-time now for a year plus. Los Angeles has provided me with the plenty of work from brand campaigns, e-commerce shoots, editorial styling, celebrity styling to other personal styling projects. I’m so grateful I get to wake up everyday and do something that I love and that has endless possibilities for growth.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No! It’s never smooth, is it? Most of my struggles have been caused by external factors. I was laid off in New York City in the first recession of the 2000’s in 2009. That was a major setback of lost wages and time spent getting back to where I was pre lay off. Similarly, I was laid off in the beginning of the pandemic in April 2020. In 2009, I didn’t make as much money or have as nice of a lifestyle so it was easier to bounce back. This time around, it took a lot of time to get back to a level I was comfortable with. Now working for myself, it’s hard to turn down any of the jobs that come my way… I’m always afraid of being in lack because of having been there twice before. My struggle now is to be able to say “no” when appropriate and trust that the job I want and need is just around the corner. I’m grateful for each time of forced change… This is all from a hindsight perspective though; when you’re going through it, it feels like quagmire! I wish I was able to have the foresight in those moments to see how wonderful everything would eventually turn out to be.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a fashion stylist, primarily. Costume design comes up as I’m living and working in Los Angeles, land of Hollywood and cinema. I identify primarily as a fashion stylist though as that’s more where my experience lies and where I’m most proficient. I’m known for creative ways of dressing people. It’s very simple. I have great brand relationships from my buying past and I’m able to provide my clients with unique products that most other stylists don’t have access to. I love working in the editorial world as it’s a chance to showcase your creativity and be very fashion-forward, pushing boundaries in clothing, gender, and our ideas of what is beautiful. On the other hand, I also enjoy working in the commercial space where making a more ‘everyday’ look is required. It’s fun to be able to showcase how you can make your clients feel simply by what they put on their bodies! I consider clothing wearable art, however highbrow or ridiculous that sounds!

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I am always on the hunt for new brands, stores, clothing, accessories and more that is unique and accessible. I hope that your readers will share their latest finds with me directly @ofthemomnt on IG.

Pricing:

• Day Rates and Hourly Rates available on request

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: http://ofthemomnt.com/
• Instagram: ofthemomnt

Image Credits:
Vincent Perry Julian Ungano, Ungano + Agriodimas ISSUE Magazine Frankie Batista, Ramp Mag Germany Melissa Mercedes Official Alabama Blonde, Schøn Magazine Odessy Barbu, Masunaga Official