When asked what principles underlie Authorne’s vision, intergenerationality comes to mind. The experience of reflecting upon and developing the motifs in Authorne’s collection has exposed a through-line, a focus on matrilineal legacy, of the celebration of motherhood and family, and the passage of talents, qualities, and traits from one generation to the next. 

Brooklyn-based artist, designer, and curator Ariel Adkins is the latest muse in Authorne’s series of Encounters. For Ariel, her “art practice is an outlet that has allowed me to keep my mother’s legacy alive.” 

Ariel has a unique practice wherein she dovetails art and clothing into a storytelling movement and a new way to see the world. Not unlike Authorne, Adkins work creates beautiful, wearable art works that elevate or alter the everyday into an artful experience: 

“What we wear or adorn ourselves with is so closely tied to our personal identity and how we see the world, which is a concept that guides me in my own art practice. I recognized this same idea in Authorne and felt that it was embodied so intentionally and beautifully. I really connected with the concept of narrative in the Authorne pieces - how something we choose to wear can tell a story, whether personal (reflecting something about our inner selves) or protective (like an armor).”

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The lasting relationship between Ariel and her mother reflects at its core the strength of matrilineal love and the legacy it produces for generations to come. Art, as Ariel describes it, became both a creative outlet and a solution for everyday needs. “Growing up as the only child of a single mother who was an artist, our financial resources were limited,” reflects Ariel. “However, that did not stop us from having – or making – everything we needed. I’ll never forget coming home from school one day and finding that my mom had made me a pair of moccasins out of a piece of recycled suede. She regularly made magic with the little that we had and I’m forever grateful for that.” 

An artful approach to life became not only an asset, a creative resource by which to approach needs and create a new reality, but it also informed Ariel’s early sense of community, of her magnanimity as it pertains to communities in need. “[My mother] also had a keen sensitivity to those who were marginalized or overlooked, and that has inspired me to find ways to raise awareness for important issues or communities through my work.”

“I believe that it is the responsibility of artists and creatives to envision the world we want to live in and to do our part to make that vision a reality. I hope my work helps people find more beauty in the world around them and in themselves.”

What are three guiding principles that we may be inspired to live by? Ariel shares a refreshing look at how we might all incorporate art into our lives and remain poised to pass on these qualities for generations to come: 

•  “Think outside the box” - My mom would always say this to me when I was feeling hemmed in. She encouraged me to push beyond the ways things have always been done to achieve something greater and more impactful. It’s advice I’ve returned to many, many times that has guided my own work and career. I find it very freeing. 

• “Dress like a work of art” - Clothing and personal style is an important outlet for me, and challenging myself to express art through how I style myself or others is a source of inspiration and joy.

• “Create your own masterpiece” - While I may not be able to see the big picture at all times, and the process may not look like what I expected, many little actions and small steps add up to create something truly unique. This applies to both my life and my work.
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Learn more about Ariel Adkins and her work by following her on Instagram.