Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariel Kochbarski.
Ariel, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
OK – well, hi, I’m Ariel Kochbarski. I grew up in NJ and started my career in fashion after graduating from Rutgers University in 2005. I had an art history degree but I couldn’t find a job in NYC that was art related ANYWHERE! I was working in retail and had always loved fashion. I met someone who worked at Saks Fifth Avenue corporate and that is how I got my foot in the door. I’m now the Founder & CEO of ARIKO, a contemporary surf lifestyle brand that blends modern style with the laid-back essence of California’s coast. Before launching ARIKO, I built her career as a fashion executive at leading retail and e-commerce companies including the aforementioned Saks Fifth Avenue, Paul Smith, and 11 Honoré. She also founded Of The Momnt, a creative consulting company, and has styled for campaigns and talent spanning Thirteen Lune, Cake Mag, Relevant Skin, DSCENE Magazine, CENTR Fitness, and Health-Ade Kombucha.
After relocating from the East Coast to California in 2014, I immersed myself in the state’s surf culture. My own love for the ocean—spending countless hours in the water and at the beach—became the driving force behind ARIKO’s vision: versatile apparel designed to move seamlessly from surf sessions to everyday life. My collections embody a fusion of comfort, wearability, and style, empowering individuals to express themselves with confidence—whether at the beach, in a work meeting, or out with friends.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No – it’s not been smooth! I have struggled financially and emotionally along the way, for sure. It took me a longtime to admit to myself that I wanted to work for myself and create products. I had followed the corporate path since my early 20’s for the job security and the perks of being a fashion insider: money, travel, social interactions, being in the “in” crowd, etc. The truth is that it wasn’t secure at all. No job really is. I was laid off twice over 20+ year career: first in 2009’s nationwide recession that hit New York City really hard. I think 4 of my 5 close friends were all laid off with me.
I bounced back and kept climbing to the Director level but when I was laid off again during the pandemic; I hit a wall. The little voice in my head that kept saying I wanted to do something else was shouting and I couldn’t ignore that anymore. I started styling for campaigns in both the editorial and commercial spaces. I built a roster of private clients that I worked with for events’ styling and their fashion needs. This allowed for me to make money on my own terms and gave me a new freedom I hadn’t experienced in my career before. This came with great financial risk; I had to learn to be uncomfortable not knowing where my income would come from. I had to accept that risk but also accept the possibility that my life could change within a day for good, too! There is no limit to what I can receive for my work since I determine what I do with my time and how I’m compensated for it.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
This is hard question for me to answer since I often feel scatterbrained as an entrepreneur. You have to wear so many hats and some of those you are better at wearing than others. When I really break it down to its simplest form; I specialize in clothing. I’m really great at putting looks together for a client’s need as well as for my own line, ARIKO. I am able to translate what someone wants to feel like with what they wear. If you can make someone feel good in your products or in products you selected for them, that is the greatest gift I can receive.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
My greatest risk has been creating ARIKO. I have leveraged my own assets and money to create it. It takes A LOT of money to front a clothing brand, way more than I initially realized. Whatever projection I had in mind when I first started has been thrown out the window! It’s frightening in every sense of the word. I have to remind myself at least once a day that it is an investment. It’s an investment in myself and my dream to have a brand that is thriving. I read a lot of entrepreneurs biographies and most of them didn’t come from much at all. They found their way and just stuck with it. Even when their own funds were in dire straits; they kept going and found a way. I always try to find a way through. I rather live with the risk of using my life’s savings for my dream and failing than not using it at all and regretting that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ofthemomnt.com/
- Instagram: ofthemomnt
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arikosurf
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariel-kochbarski-09a9a515/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVNtZx7oxhXVWtIV5Yj_g8A
- Other: https://www.ariko-la.com/
Image Credits
Photographers: Josh Gross, Vincent Perry Jr., Anthony Blasko.
