Ariel Kochbarski shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Ariel, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Surfing is one of the only things I do that allows me to lose track of time. I always find myself again in the water. It grounds me and allows me to only focus on the water, waves, and feeling in the flow with nature.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
HI! I’m Ariel Kochbarski. I’m a designer and stylist based in Ventura, CA. I am a longtime fashion business veteran who has transitioned to making my own brand, ARIKO. We make two thirds of the line in Los Angeles, where I used to live, and got my start as a stylist. I moved to LA in 2014 from NYC. I had worked in corporate buying for stores and e-commerce websites before going to form my own llc in 2016 for fashion consulting and styling. I fell in love with surfing and it’s freedom filled lifestyle in my spare time. My brand is my expression of the two things I love most: fashion and surfing. ARIKO is a better, surf lifestyle clothing line. It takes you from your dawn surf session, to your desk and to a night out with friends. The ultimate goals of ARIKO are: comfortability, wearability, and style. The t-shirts and flannels are unisex and can outfit a number of body types and sizes.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling powerful was when I was horseback riding. I grew up learning to ride from a very young age. I love the bond between horse and rider. It’s very unique and as a small girl riding a big horse, guiding it where to go, when, how; it’s an incredibly powerful feeling.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
I have suffered both with physical pain and emotional pain through various times in my life. Each time has made me more grateful for what we have on a daily basis. When you get through them, you realize what a blessing it is to live a full life. It gives you a unique perspective on your success when it comes because you know how far you’ve come.
I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2012. Crohn’s disease is a digestive disorder that leads to inflammation and ulcers through out your entire intestine system. It can be hard to eat and digest food and often leaves you feeling exhausted, weak and malnourished. Throughout those first years before I was able to manage it with medication and diet; I have experienced times when I didn’t have the ability to move or exercise freely, to eat the foods I wanted to eat, and I was ashamed to share that experience with people in my life. After surgery in 2016, a complete nutrition overhaul and medication changes; I have finally been able to heal and grow stronger. Those experiences taught me to appreciate my health and my life more. I say thank you when I first wake up each day. I am glad that not everyone has to go through what I have had to but I am also glad for what I went through because of my outlook on life.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
YES! I have always been a very direct person. I do not have time to be someone I’m not. Whatever I share on social media, in publications, interviews, what have you is really me.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Probably, yes – I’m too OCD and type A not to do my best. It’s just how I’m wired.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ariko-la.com/
- Instagram: @arikosurf @ofthemomnt
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariel-kochbarski-09a9a515/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arikosurf
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVNtZx7oxhXVWtIV5Yj_g8A
- Other: @arikolosangeles TikTok
Image Credits
ARIKO campaign images shot by: Josh Gross, Remote Cntrl Agency
