Oddly enough fashion is just like the weather, some good and some bad and always changing. But modern fashion always wants what it doesn’t have, or to latch on to a culture that it's not a part of. I'm all for the mix of cultures and finding inspiration in avenues untouched but it needs to be done with respect for whoever's culture is being referenced or emulated.
GORE-TEX Studio: This one is getting harder and harder these days - but how would you describe yourself in 1 sentence max?
Kyle Kivijärvi: Here for you if you need me.
GORE-TEX Studio: Tell us a bit about your city’s climate. What are your three favorite spots - in the summer, in the winter (outside)? What is your favorite method of transportation and why? How do you prep for bad weather if you spend time outside?
Kyle Kivijärvi: Living in New York you really get to enjoy all four seasons. From the humid summer to the bone chilling winter you have to prepare accordingly.
I love spending as much time outdoors as possible whether I'm riding bikes in the Hudson Valley or camping on the beach in Montauk or just going for a walk to the neighborhood park.
Warm days turn to cold nights the second the sun goes down so I like to make sure I have a decent stock of firewood ready to burn at all times and some good base layers. And never forget your rain jacket because you never know when the sky will open up.
I'm usually always riding my bike but I'd have to say living in the city makes owning a car a great tool for weekend adventures to get me to all my favorite spots.
GORE-TEX Studio: You run the @gramparents instagram account and are about to launch your own creative business – how did you get there.... Tell us a bit about your professional life and do you draw a hard line between private/professional? What were your most memorable moments professionally, your biggest achievements?
Kyle Kivijärvi: I've been blessed to have connected with who are in my opinion some of the most talented, creative and hard working people in the industry through my time in New York and my travels. Learning from them first hand and watching them maneuver in a space that I too wanted to evolve into and that helped me to get to the place I am and where I'm going. Having someone that you can trust to be a mentor to you is also something that has helped guide my creativity.
Some of my most memorable moments are working in collaboration with good people. Like working with my friend Leo Gamboa on a Reebok shoe or with creative entrepreneurs Like Chase Jarvis and icons of sport like Greg Lemond. I don't necessarily see these as achievements or accolades but opportunities to collaborate and build lasting relationships with great individuals from different backgrounds than myself.
Currently I'm a one man creative studio working with individuals and brands to help build meaningful and honest experiences around their projects and products. From content creation to product direction and design within the apparel and fashion industry as well as the outdoor adventure sports world.
I wouldn't say I draw a hard line between private and professional, but I definitely like to keep personal/private things for the most part to myself. I share tons of stories and content but not everything needs to be on the internet. Plus my family is crazy (a good crazy) and the world is not ready haha.
GORE-TEX Studio: What are you wearing today, why are you wearing it, did you have a particular weather scenario in mind when choosing this piece? What do you love most about your GORE-TEX product?
Kyle Kivijärvi: This is my Arc'teryx Beta SV. I'm currently on a tour of the west coast with climates that vary from wind and rain on the Oregon coast to heavy snowfall in Lake Tahoe. It's been my go to for all kinds of unpredictable weather. I think what I love most about any of my Gore products is the fact that it does its job and keeps you dry. The pit zips are also a plus when you start to overheat.
GORE-TEX Studio: Where and when did you get this… Do you have any special memories connected to this item? If you could go anywhere, where would you like to take this piece?
Kyle Kivijärvi: This one is actually a new piece. My last Gore jacket gave me many seasons of good wear and needed to be replaced. I picked this one up on the road from my friends at Arc’teryx Portland back in September. I look forward to having this one with me on all my new adventures and wild weather. Pray for rain!
