House of Style
Auriel Rickard has an impressive portfolio, representing models from the Hawaiian Islands, as well as his homebase in New York. Photos courtesy Rickard
Auriel Rickard was destined to lead a creative’s life. Born to artists — his father is the renowned Hawaiian heirloom jeweler Philip Rickard, and his mother, Catherine Valdovino, worked in theater TV film — Rickard grew up immersed in the imaginative process.
“As a young person … that was a huge thing for me,” says Rickard, whose unique lens on life was also shaped by island skateboard and surf culture. After graduating from ‘Iolani School, Rickard moved to New York City to study photography at Parsons School of Design.
Inspired by the city’s electric energy and eclectic cast of artists, models and musicians, Rickard soon found work supporting fledgling clothing lines. It was during his time at startup streetwear company Noah that Rickard honed his skills as a fashion producer.
“That was basically my bootcamp,” he says. “I did everything — social media, casting, ecommerce, marketing and art directing. It was great! It was a big opportunity for me and allowed me to step up.”
His next big break came when Rickard worked the Spring/Summer 2022 fashion show for Jacquemus.
The showcase featured a distinct blue runway that spanned the beachline of O‘ahu’s Windward side and included local talent both on the runway and behind the scenes.
Rickard was hired to cast the models and was asked to find fresh faces who were of Hawaiian or Pacific Islander descent. The experience spurred Rickard to pursue another extension of his career, one the 30-year-old imagined would come decades down the line. In late 2022, he launched his own model management and casting agency, DUET.
“I always had it as a dream in the back of my mind, but more toward the end of my career,” Rickard confesses. “It’s a big responsibility when you represent somebody. It’s a big commitment to me.”
So far, Rickard represents models in Hawai‘i and his homebase of New York but already plans to sign more talent from Los Angeles and Vancouver in the coming months.
“I’m quickly seeing a very positive response to the people I work with who are less represented in the fashion industry. My goal is to get these models recognized,” he says. Up next for Rickard and DUET are a few big projects, one he’s hopeful will be another career steppingstone. But for now, Rickard is motivated by the encouraging reaction the industry has shown his models and faces.
“It feels good to be seen in that way,” he says. “When I’m proud of the work, that’s what keeps me going. I’m excited to see what lands in our laps and see this momentum grow.”
Follow along on Instagram @duet_agency