subscribe to Style Like URochelle Goldberg | visual arts student and jewelry designer for her line Ralph and Duchess
"I am inspired by unique attitudes in general as opposed to the specifics of how they manifest themselves. It's not necessarily rebellion, rather a sincere need to assert ones individuality by a means that ignores both taboo and the norm. Marchesa Luisa Casati is a tired cliche of this. Through her unapologetic extravagance and almost decrepit luxury, she was defiant of all expectation." Rochelle Goldberg
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Rochelle is a visual arts student, sculptor and jewelry designer of her own line Ralph and Duchess. Gray Converse Sneakers -
Rochelle designs Ralph and Duchess Jewelry with Reece Solomon, also featured. Vintage Black Body Suit, Zip Skirt from No. 6 -
As a hobby, Rochelle makes candles and lamps. Her lamps are made with stained and shalaqued branches or twigs. The use of nature is inspired from her childhood in Vancouver, British Columbia. -
“This looks like something I would have put on a doll when I was five-years-old.” With most outfits, Rochelle wears her black leggings from Wilfred. Vintage Lace Dress from Value Village Little Girls -
“The forms I find in my studio practice (sculpting) tend to inform what I’m doing with the jewelry, because it’s like you’re using your hands all the time. Your hands fall into patterns of approaches. I think it has helped my jewelry a lot having that sort of artistic relief.” -
"My creative goals are to have something relevant and meaningful to share." Vintage Pink Dress with Snake Detailing from Selima Optique -
“Mentally, you never really leave the studio. You’re thinking about it all of the time. If you can have a space that’s somewhat removed, I find that really helpful.” -
Rings and Cuff from Rochelle's line Ralph and Duchess, along with her mother's Opal Ring. Rochelle's "Like a Lake Ring", on her right hand, was inspired by Lake Okanagan in the Interior British Columbia, where she used to spend time as a child. -
Rochelle's favorite StyleLikeU subjects are Luxor Tavella and Reece Solomon. -
She loves her YSL lipstick and as soon as she saw this headpiece by Bliss Lao in S magazine, she had to have it. Purple Vintage Dress from True Value Vintage -
"I love any city with streets that can be read as a palimpsest: exposing its history through the wear and tear of time. There is a lot of beauty to be found in decay." -
Black '80s parachute pants that belonged to her mother. -
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"I love the simple beauty of French New Wave actresses ." Earrings from Rochelle's line Ralph and Duchess -
About Ralph and Duchess: “Everything in the line is so nature-based, I can’t get out of the rhythm of foliage, branches, trees, flowers. I think that’s all a reflection of where I’m from. Maybe somehow absorbing or internalizing my natural landscape.” -
"I love that fashion is so removed from practicality. It goes beyond function and has created its own culture steeped in playfulness and fantasy. While historical dress expressed cultural and social affiliations, sometimes in an oppressive way, now one can draw from all kinds of references, playing whatever part the moment inspires." Zip Skirt from No. 6 Zip, Vintage Black Bodysuit -
Candles that Rochelle made, with a base she bought at a flee market -
Vintage Pink Dress With Snake Detail from Selima Optique -
Cocteau's La Belle et La Bete " is mesmerizing: particularly the conflation of savagery tempered by beauty." -
The dress reminds her of a Thierry Mugler . It's from True Value Vintage -
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Rochelle's least favorite thing about fashion, "The level of mass consumption, how everything is just disposed of and available, everything is delivered. The cycle of going through things so quickly, and nothing being precious." -
Brown Heeled Booties from Dolce and Gabbana -
"I never fell out of the habit of putting on [my] mother's clothes.” Here is a photo of Rochelle and her sister playing dress up. -
Rochelle is attracted to chaos. “If you’re in the center of chaos, the chaos is all around you, but you’re not moving.” Vintage Pink Dress with Snake Detailing from Selima Optique -
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Rochelle loves that her ankle bracelet "creates an awareness of your own movement through sound." Ankle Bracelets that Rochelle's aunt brought back from India -
“I do try to integrate nature into everything. It makes a peaceful sort of environment." -
Necklace from the Portobello Road Market in London -
Hat's that belonged to her mom and dad. “I love the idea of wearing things that you have a connection with. If you’re wearing your dad’s hat, you’re going to smile about it.” -
Rochelle wears a headband that she made herself, Leopard-Print Top by Oak -
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About New York City, Rochelle loves it because of “it’s focused environment, saturated with creative people." Ralph and Duchess jewelry
Wearing an Indian ankle bracelet with her Converses, Rochelle holds tight to the playfulness and fantasy of dressing up. She loves the part of fashion that is removed from practicality. When she was visiting colleges in Manhattan from her hometown of Vancouver, British Columbia, she stumbled upon her favorite hot pink dress with beaded snake detailing. It says everything about her whimsical approach, especially when worn her way with her gray sneakers. Very much a “city” girl in her very singular style, it’s impossible to separate Rochelle from her rural roots. Everything she touches, from her sculpture, jewelry, lighting designs, and home decor, is infused with nature and permeates her essence. When asked about her goals, her answer was to be “simply be herself, in a world that is bombarded with influence and possibility.” And as is becoming usual for me with these interviews, I am overwhelmed in a great way, not only with the talent level, but the cultural references. Rochelle’s favorite movie is Tarkovsky’s “Andrei Rublev,” for its “ominous and foreboding atmosphere” and the Rick Owens-y costumes worn by the monks.
If you like Rochelle, you might also enjoy Sidney Geubelle, Byrdie Bell, or Carolyne Cass.
