Rio Uribe

Inspired by diversity and adversity, Gypsy Sport designer Rio Uribe embraces a gender-fluid and pan-ethnic approach to fashion. The result: inspiring, soulful, and personality-rich pieces that upend the conventional idea of everyday streetwear. Uribe spent his early years bouncing between L.A.'s Koreatown and Mexico. He began experimenting with fashion in his teens, styling looks for his friends, and went on to study business and the arts in college. Uribe studied business and arts for 2 years, while working retail jobs before he decided to move to New York City in 2005 with aspirations of being a designer. Uribe began playing around with hat making. Headwear gave him entrée into the professional world of fashion, and hats remain a focus of his brand to date. In 2006, Uribe joined the merchandising team at Balenciaga, where he was responsible for carrying out Nicolas Ghesquiere's vision across retailers and showrooms. During this time Uribe traveled to and from Paris working on shoots and runway shows. As more stores opened Uribe was assigned to work with French artist Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster on executing her designs of these spaces. He spent six years with Balenciaga, then set out to launch his own brand in 2012. Gypsy Sport-which is largely produced in the Garment District-debuted on the runway that year, and immediately caught the eye of Donna Karan. Struck by Uribe's creativity, she invited him to collaborate with DKNY in 2013. Today, Gypsy Sport offers a wide range of genderless pieces incorporating unexpected textiles, eclectic silhouettes, and a mash-up of cultural influences. Designing for an "urban tribe," he often unveils his work on non-models, who bring their own authentic, individual style and energy to the clothes.