Today we’d like to introduce you to Alyse Gamson.
Hi Alyse, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I had the opportunity to share my journey in my recent Bold Journey interview, where I talked about my transition from the accounting and corporate world to becoming an artist and the founding of ARO + STAR. Rather than retelling that story, I’d love to expand on what drives me today.
Just as my journey has evolved from a CPA to artist to entrepreneur, so has my creative expression—each step shaped by change and the empowerment that comes with it. I attribute this evolution to a growth mindset, a core personal value that has guided me from the start. I’ve always loved learning and taking on new challenges, and in my art, it’s the process of exploration that inspires me most.
The importance of female empowerment became deeply personal to me during the pandemic when I read an article on what top artists were creating during their paused time. Of the eleven featured, only two were women. The journalist noted that some female artists declined due to household and caregiving responsibilities. This struck a chord with me—if I wanted to see more women thrive in creative spaces, I had to be part of that change. That realization deepened my commitment to championing female empowerment, shaping all my work to follow.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Building ARO + STAR from the ground up with my longtime friend and incredibly talented partner, Marla Price Krantz, has been a journey of both successes and setbacks. Our goal was to create a brand that looks and feels amazing, using super-soft fabrics and flattering fits. We design pieces featuring our artwork alongside solid tees—your go-to everyday favorite.
My partner and I handle every detail of building both the brand and the business behind it. While online sales have been challenging, we’ve found our greatest success at pop-ups—where customers can connect with our story and experience our apparel in person. This led us to expand beyond direct-to-consumer, pursuing retail partnerships that align with our brand. With this shift comes new challenges, as we juggle multiple roles and are exploring the idea of hiring someone to help bring our line into boutiques. Rest assured—our customers can still shop their favorites online and follow us on Instagram!
Staying true to our mission has been another challenge. We believe in small-batch production, allowing for precise planning and minimizing excess inventory that could end up in landfills. We love our partnership with our LA factory—our fabric and fit are incredible—but the current industry climate makes catering to small-batch businesses difficult. As a startup, committing to larger volumes is a challenge, yet staying true to our values remains our priority.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Balancing my personal journey as an artist with entrepreneurship has been both exciting and challenging. What I love most about being an artist is the process of exploration—learning new ideas, experimenting with different mediums, and bringing concepts to life. That creative freedom fuels my work, but as an entrepreneur, I also have to navigate the structure and strategy of running a business. While the two roles require different mindsets, I’ve found that my artistic curiosity and problem-solving skills help shape ARO + STAR in unexpected ways, keeping the brand dynamic and evolving.
This year I’ve been intentional about making time for both my business and my art. I’ve challenged myself to create large-scale pieces, including The Skull Space: Expansive series—surreal 3D-rendered scenes that explore life’s raw beauty. Currently, I have a 20-foot inflatable skull sculpture in progress and an ambitious goal to design a large-scale metal sculpture.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Chicago’s energy is unmatched—I love its vibrant restaurant scene, world-class museums, and iconic architecture that makes the city feel alive with creativity. It’s a place that constantly inspires me. If I had to pick one downside, it would be the traffic—but it’s a small price to pay for everything this city has to offer!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aroandstar.com
- Instagram: @alyseng
- LinkedIn: @AlyseGamson
- Twitter: @ang_gallery
