Sarah Parnicky, from walla walla to the big apple: closet portrait

For the second Closet Portrait, we talked to Sarah Parnicky about the evolution of her style, what she wears to feel confident, and the milestones that have made her the person she is today. Sarah’s bold personality and daring spirit embody what we’re all about here at Arête.

Special thank you to the incredible photographer, Amelia Hammond, who made this closet portrait come to life.

Tell us about Sarah!

I grew up in Walla Walla, Washington, in a town of 30k people. We weren’t close to ANYTHING, and I had friends who drove tractors to work. It was the country. During these years, I grew up on movie musicals like Wizard of Oz and Annie and did my first play when I was five. From the beginning, it was obvious to everyone that I was New York bound. I went to New York for the first time in 6th grade with my dad and loved it. It was always the end game but figuring out how to get to New York from Walla Walla was tricky. 

Before going to university, I was in a  professional ballet company and won a bunch of opera competitions. Opera was seeming to be my ticket out. Ultimately, I chose USC because it was on the West Coast and I wanted to be close to my brother. I attempted to create a triple major, but this was challenging so I rode the opera train.

During this time, I began leaving school to sing in Italy. Opera showed me the world, and I got to wear all these beautiful gowns and I found it very elite and extreme. Shortly after, I was scouted by the Houston Grand Opera. They had me come to Houston, trained me, I got to dance with really amazing productions and found myself with an agent.

When I eventually got to New York, my first job was actually a modeling job. This was unexpected for me because when I was in Walla Walla, people would make fun of me and make the “Sarah Parnicky face” by squinting their eyes and biting their cheeks to have a dimple. When I started getting modeling jobs in New York, I started to learn more about how I was perceived. I had put my identity in being good at the arts, but when I came to New York, the attention I received for my face was something I never imagined. 

I’m now grateful every day to be in New York. It’s inspiring and beautiful. I get to live around people from all over the word. Everyone here is passionate about what they’re doing and so talented. I find the positives of the small town of Walla Walla in New York. I think it’s the biggest small town. People drawn to New York are exciting and innovative. 

What’s your personal style journey and evolution?

My style has always been very feminine.  Even when I was young, I was always going all out with my outfits. My family and I would ski every weekend and even my snowsuit was pink or purple. In Walla Walla, I was free to be myself. I had Pinterest boards of beautiful whimsical gowns but I didn’t have access to a lot, there wasn’t even a place in town to buy a dress for prom. 

Moving to LA to study at USC was an eye opening experience for me; rushing a sorority as a small town farm girl felt jarring. I didn’t know designers or social etiquette. For a while, I betrayed myself a bit. I dyed my hair blonde and tried to fit into this new world that I had thrust myself into; I made myself generic.  In the LA phase, I was trying to fit the perfect “blonde, who grew up in Beverly Hills” persona. But since I didn’t have a lot of cash, I couldn’t do a ton of damage. Now I know myself well enough to know my style.

One funny thing for me–the gowns. I’ve always had an under-bed storage of gowns. My wardrobe was filled with hot pink Juicy Couture sets and gowns. It was two very extreme styles. You could either catch me wearing Juicy Couture sets or a gown. When I was living in Texas and singing opera, I dressed similarly but dyed my hair dark. I bought one pair of cowboy boots, but quickly returned them. I bought one pair of cowboy boots, that I then returned. During this Texas opera phase, I was cast in a few different productions where costumes were built for me by THE Paul Tazewell.  Fittings with Paul taught me so much about my body and fabric and how to flatter ME. I told the opera house - “you don't have to pay me, just let me keep the costumes! And I told Paul whenever I get married, he has to make the dress.

Sarah Parnicky wearing a costume designed by Paul Tazewell

New York was where I started to find myself. You can cry on the street without the judgment of bystanders. You can wear whatever you want and the people here are great. Someone will always be crazier than you. New York is where it came together. 

The pink power suit. I retired it but when I finally got the attention of Joan Lader - the most famous voice teacher in broadway history - I wore this to audition for her. I worked my whole life to get on her radar, and now she’s like my broadway mom. Must have been the suit.

How would you describe your personal style today?

My style today is a blend of classic Hollywood, French couture gowns and street art. I will always love the Supreme Dior Collab. I’m still on the hunt for that iconic bag. 

What do you wear when you feel most confident?

If I want to feel my best and be confident, I’m wearing something simple and well made. There will be some leather but it’s pretty minimal. I feel polished and put together but not overpowered by a statement. Also, I am obsessed with nail art! I always have a cool nail situation happening – it’s my finishing touch.

Do you have a moment that stands out when you were wearing something and felt confident and were going somewhere meaningful?

The first time I could afford to buy a really nice gown, I was visiting Paris. It was taupe, silk, and well fitted. Although it was simple, every time I wore that gown, I felt so good; I’d put it on and feel like a woman, not a farm girl. And I still have that dress!

Sarah’s first gown, the one that made her feel most confident.

Anytime I get a gown for a special moment, it makes me feel so confident. The gown I got for my off-Broadway show in New York is very memorable. This was a huge milestone for me – I had a show opening in New York. It was a country show and the dress was black with embroidered flowers. 

What do you think about when creating an outfit?

I never really thought about this until you asked! Everything in life is energy, so it really depends on what the day is like. I find that my style tends to lean more on the bold side when I’m around bold people. I have this statement, hot pink sweatshirt and I tend to gravitate to those kinds of pieces naturally. I’ll wander through boutiques in Williamsburg and Soho and when something stands out, I buy it. But sometimes I have to force myself to invest in normal day-to-day pieces that I can wear to family functions in the country. 

My closet is very colorful and bright, but there’s also a lot of black and white. As my style has evolved, I’ve come to know very well what I like and what I don’t like. 

A glimpse into Sarah’s bright and bold closet

Where do you get  your inspiration from?

Life! I’ll go on Saturday walks, grab a coffee, and walk through my neighborhood. I’m always getting style inspo from the people around me. And since I’m an Aries, I love the water; I love being around nature. I go to Central Park every now and then and just sit in this one spot that I really love. 
I follow the designers I love on social media and have curated my feed in a way that makes my soul happy; beautiful things that are cool, innovative, and creative, whether that be a designer, musician, or artist. I love Christian Sirano’s work. 

Your anti-gatekeeping advice for fashion?

There’s so much abundance in the world, there’s no need to gatekeep fashion or anything else for that matter. I think what you’re building with Arête and the way you're building a community of fashion-curious individuals in New York is the way to the solution. When you go about something from a place of abundance and positivity, it inspires those around you. 

If you could swap closets with one person, who would it be and why?

Zendaya, without a doubt. She just never misses; she can pull off any style: classic, elegant, fresh, current. I have nothing but respect for that woman. Zendaya can make simplicity look jaw dropping. 

What's a major fashion red flag? 

Pieces that are poorly fitted to someone’s body type or don’t fit that person's energy. I cringe when I see celebrities get style in something that doesn't fit them right; I just want to give them a hug. There’s so much power in understanding what styles flatter you and which ones don’t.

Tell us about the four fits we shot and the occasions, styles, & vibes you associate with each!

Look 1: These are my favorite pair of jeans. This is what I’d typically wear on a Sunday evening in my home neighborhood, going for espresso martinis with my girlfriend. I love it because I  can have the shirt buttoned up and have the jacket off or vice versa. Something about the brightness of the denim doesn't feel too heavy. Whenever I wear this outfit, I know it’s going to be a good day. I put those jeans on yesterday when I had an audition to feel confident, playful, and happy. 

Look 2: I wore this to the opening night of a Broadway show my friend was in; I felt so pretty. I had never worn that sweatshirt with that skirt like that before, but I knew it was perfect the second I put it on. I’d re-wear this outfit to another show opening or an art gallery. Depending on how I’m feeling, I can toss the sweatshirt on or off. It’s giving maximalist, bold, zero fucks, “my name means princess.”

Look 3: This outfit is the epitome of New York Sarah. I mean business when I wear this outfit; I’m walking in to sing for someone important; I’m speed walking through midtown to make shit happen. That’s the vibe I wear most often in New York.