Running a business is a reality check in many ways. It’s all a balance, just like riding. Her college major was political science, but Ariana has always nurtured a creative side and a love for fashion, and in 2011 she founded her own clothing label. Her name came in handy with the line, eponymously called Ariana Rockefeller. And while she admits that her surname helped open doors, she’s learnt all on her own that running a new company is a constant learning experience.
day at the barn. One pattern that premiered with her first collection and has continued through to the latest spring/summer collection is an equestrian print inspired by the foxhunting lifestyle that she grew up around. Rockefeller also took inspiration from one of her mother’s old hunt coats when designing the AR “Diana” Blazer, a navy piece that is elegant, yet easy to wear over jeans and a t-shirt.
“Balancing the creative design with the realistic in terms of producing a product at a certain price point was a challenge,” she admits. “My favorite part of designing is picking out the fabrics, and sometime I will want the lace at $80 per meter, but that does not make sense if we want a garment to retail at a young designer price point. Running a business is a reality check in many ways. It’s all a balance, just like riding.”
It’s more than the theme of the line; a down to earth balance that combines elegance with real life is the recurring theme that runs through Rockefeller’s life. She credits her family’s influence for giving her a solid foundation, and as an adult she’s careful to surround herself with true friends.
EASY ELEGANCE Naturally, Rockefeller’s line is inspired by the equestrian lifestyle, both in construction and appearance. All of the pieces are versatile and simple, the kind of clothes that can be thrown on quickly after a
“I’m lucky that I have a very down to earth family, and very loyal friends,” Rockefeller says. “My friends in the horse world are very important to me. I feel most at home hanging out at the farm with them and the horses.” Last fall, Rockefeller admits that she didn’t have as much time to ride as she would have liked, but it was for good reason. The AR Pop Up Shop opened in the SoHo area of New York City. The store combined Rockefeller’s interest in horses, fashion, art and philanthropy, and became one of the biggest successes since launching the brand. Rockefeller carefully designed the month-long pop up shop with equestrian art on the walls and a clean, simple interior. The shop was a great success, and retail events in Aspen, Palm Beach and The Hamptons are forthcoming in 2015. While she’s not willing to put her riding career on hold, she feels grateful for the solid teams – both with the clothing label and at Old Salem – who make it possible for her to move between her two pursuits with relative ease. “Having my last name definitely brings a lot of recognition, but I always just try to be myself and stay true to my values,” Rockefeller concludes. “I don’t try to downplay my name, it is what it is, I am who I am and I think hard work always speaks louder than any amount of fame.”
Top: Designs by AR include, from left to right, the Katie Top and Courtney Trousers; Diana Blazer; Equestrian Print Dress; Pamela Cardigan Left and opposite: Rockefeller with her horse, Chogun
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