Collection
Collector Profile - Rob Zangardi
Collector Profile
Rob Zangardi
Rob Zangardi is the celebrity stylist responsible for creating iconic style moments for entertainment’s most celebrated artists including Jennifer Lopez, Gwen Stefani and Rihanna, amongst many others.
Never sticking to one specific lane, Rob has touched every corner of the fashion, entertainment and music industries, through campaigns, music videos, musical tours, Las Vegas residencies and red carpets across the globe. In addition to styling, Rob's expertise extends across a wide range of Design and Consulting projects for high-end fashion houses including Gucci, Coach, Kenzo, Dolce & Gabbana and Versace.
Rob’s consistent ability to transform clients into prominent fashion figures has earned him a spot with his partner Mariel Haenn on The Hollywood Reporter’s prestigious “The 25 Most Powerful Stylists in Hollywood” for ten consecutive years and landed them covers alongside Jennifer Lopez, Lily Collins and Hailee Steinfeld. In 2020, The Hollywood Reporter named them amongst the “Top 10 Power Stylists of the Decade”.
Q.
What is your earliest memory of art, and what led you to start collecting it?
A.
I have always had a huge interest in art. Some of my earliest memories were laying on the carpet of my family home in Ohio sketching and painting and creating my own pieces. My parents recently cleaned their basement and shipped me a huge box of years of my collected art. It was so fun to revisit those childhood memories.
Q.
What was the first work of art you fell in love with?
A.
The first “real” piece of art that I collected many years ago was a signed photograph from Sam Haskins. I love fashion photography and this photograph is from his “Cowboy Kate” series in the 1960s. Haskins passed away shortly after I collected the piece which makes it that much more precious and special. Art is forever.
Q.
What are some of the most meaningful pieces in your collection?
A.
My wife’s sister is an artist named Nadia Yaron who does incredible sculptures. We have a few pieces of hers in our home that are so special to me. Not only do I really love her talent, but it's that much more personal that these pieces were done by her.
Rob Zangardi says
“It’s so fun to try to find one of a kind pieces that no one else will ever have.”
Q.
What is the most recent piece of art you added to your collection and why?
A.
I became obsessed with an insanely talented painter named Kristen Georgi through Instagram. I'm lucky enough to have one of her pieces In the entry of my home. Her use of color and the female form are so unique and beautiful.
Q.
Is there a particular type of art you collect?
A.
Not at all. I love anything that sparks my interest.
Q.
What or who has influenced you as a collector?
A.
I grew up in the Midwest, pre Internet, so my family and friends collected art that was mass-market re-productions from large retailers. I was used to everyone's homes and spaces looking very similar.
My wife Nicolle grew up internationally and her mom is an art teacher, so her love and interest for individual and original pieces taught me there really is “another way”.
It’s so fun to try to find one of a kind pieces that no one else will ever have.
Q.
How do you go about finding new pieces to expand your personal art collection?
A.
Instagram. Word or mouth. Galleries. 1st dibs. And Tappan.
Q.
Who are some of your all-time favorite artists?
A.
Joan Mitchell, Picasso, Georgia O'Keeffe, Willem de Kooning
Q.
Three people in the creative space who are inspiring you right now?
A.
Blurring the line between art and fashion has always been so inspiring to me. Each of these designers are doing that in their own way:
Harris Reed is breaking barriers of gendered fashion and fighting for the beauty of fluidity.
Iris van Herpen combines the traditional craft of fashion design with digital techniques or laser cutting and 3d printing.
Schiaparelli’s Daniel Rosenberry perfectly connects the heritage of the brands connection to surrealist art to today's fashion.
Q.
For new collectors, do you have any advice you wish to impart; Do you have a collecting ethos or philosophy that you want to share?
A.
When I moved into my very first apartment in NYC, I thought that decorating my home was about finding pieces specific to a space or wall or use... Since then, I realized the importance of buying things that inspire and move me and now collect things that I “just love.” My home now consists of furniture, wall hangings, sculptures, photographs and paintings that I collected throughout the years. Which not only gives personality to my home, but because I love each and every piece, I have found a place for them every time I’ve moved.
I bought a vintage wall sculpture years ago made of brass and natural geode crystals that is still sitting in my garage. I loved it so much and had to have it and have been waiting to find a home for it. I will never regret that purchase.
Q.
Describe your collection in three words.
A.
Eclectic, timeless, unique.
