GALLERY GIRL

The City of Angels’ vibrant art scene serves as a muse to Randi Molofsky, founder of for/future/reference (forfuturereference.com), who finds outfit inspiration in the paintings and pieces around town.

For a Gisela Colón show at GAVLAK, Molofsky wears a Staud dress, Dior glasses and a Gucci bag PHOTO COURTESY OF SUBJECT

Tell me about this fashion-art mashup—I love it! When did it first start?

When I moved to L.A. from NYC about a decade ago, my social life shifted to the art world because my partner, Michael Slenske, is a journalist and curator specializing in contemporary art. Going to gallery shows and museums is a huge part of our lives, and it naturally overlaps with my love for fashion...

How do you decide on what shows you want to dress for?

Certain shows lend themselves easily to a theme, for example, the Keith Haring retrospective at The Broad. Graphic lines, bright colors and exaggerated shapes were a no-brainer. But often, the outfit precedes the show, and I scout the art to find the right piece to match the outfit’s vibe.

Art by AI Loving at The Bunker Artspace inspired a vintage outfit from Recess LA and vintage glasses from Hotel De Ville PHOTO COURTESY OF SUBJECT

What are some of your favorite looks you’ve put together over the years?

I’m a massive vintage junkie, so a lot of moments are created between contemporary art and old clothes. I loved the pairing of a sheer aqua accordion dress from Dethrose Vintage with a massively scaled Charles Arnoldi chainsaw painting because not only was the palette similar—the piece was painted with copper paint that was oxidized—but the movement of the work was directly reflected in the pleats of the dress. A favorite serendipitous moment was created in Palm Beach at The Bunker Artspace featuring the collection of Beth Rudin DeWoody. I was wearing a voluminous two-piece set from Recess in Los Angeles, where the plaid fabric felt simpatico with a patchwork piece by Al Loving.

The L.A. art scene has really grown this past decade. Why do you think that is?

The L.A. art scene is inclusive and wide-ranging, allowing all different kinds of admirers to find something to fall in love with. Plus, there’s that California light! The landscape is really inspiring.

Molofsky’s vintage dress and Gucci shoes served up a stunning look besides an El Anatsui piece at The Broad. PHOTO COURTESY OF SUBJECT

What L.A. artists are you loving these days?

We are slowly building our collection, and I’m proud to display many beautiful works in our home. Some local favorites are by Robert Gunderman, Jake Kean Mayman, Jess Valice, Jeremy Shockley, Austyn Weiner, Chaz Guest, Jackie Rines, Jennifer Rochlin, Salomon Huerta and Delia Brown.

And what galleries and museums are your go-tos?

I am an equal-opportunity gallery and museum-goer! I try not to play favorites, but I always make time to see new shows at Night Gallery, One Trick Pony, Wilding Cran, VSF and Jeffrey Deitch.

Wilding Cran’s Miya Ando show prompted Molofsky to choose silver Etro pants, a vintage bag from Neutral Ground and Chanel shoes PHOTO COURTESY OF SUBJECT

What advice would you give to people curious about the L.A. art scene but don’t know where to begin?

Curate LA (curate.la) is a great place to start because they list all upcoming shows with a map function so you can better plan.

What shows are you looking forward to this winter?

Fashion and still life photographer Sheila Metzner at the Getty Center; an exhibition of new paintings by Ewa Juszkiewicz at Gagosian; gouache paintings by Ohio-based sculptor Matt Wedel at LA Louver; Simphiwe Ndzube at BLUM; and if you haven’t caught the 2023 edition of Made in LA at the Hammer, it’s up through Dec. 31!