Home-Town Fashion Hero

April 01, 2025

When people think about Park City, Utah, fashion is not the first thing they think of. In fact, it might not make the top ten... given that it hosted the Winter Olympics in 2002, is home to the US Ski and Snowboard Team, has hosted the Sundance Film Festival every January for four decades, and is known for having world class skiing and a booming tourism business. But, growing up in Park City, Kristin Silvestri embraced the outdoors, played loads of sports and simultaneously developed a keen love of style and fashion.

After college, Kristin was recruited to play soccer for the San Diego Wave FC where she fell in love with California and the 'beachy' San Diego style had it's hooks in her. A few years later, after working in Park City, she moved back to California and lived in Los Angeles, working for several designers before starting her own line: Armor & Arrows. Her first, small collections sold out rapidly and she realized that being in the fashion world spoke to her in a meaningful way.

Moving back to Park City, her brand took off and she was invited to show at New York and Los Angeles Fashion Weeks, giving her a real appreciation for design process and the artistry that accompanies the clothing industry. She took a day job with Lululemon on Main Street in Park City and fleshed-out her knowledge of the retail business before joining The Collective - Park City to create a retail space that captured the edgy style found in the city and the practicality of living in a mountain town.

As the owner of The Collective - Park City, Kristin has cultivated relationships with other boutiques through Fashion's First Friday, she is on the Executive Board of the Historic Park City Association, hosts students of all abilities in the store to help them develop job skills, and donates her time to "Girls On The Run". Her commitment to her home-town is admirable and so are the unique brands she curates for The Collective. She answered our questions with her trademark grin and then trotted off to tackle the next meaningful task on her long to-do list.

1. What is your biggest style influence?

"To me, fashion is art! I have loved watching Alexander Wang inspire edgy sophistication. I have felt the light crispness of the classic Ralph Lauren. And always pulling in some punk rock Vivienne Westwood, where boundaries are meant to be pushed. I am a sponge and like to absorb everything from everyone. That is how I curate the collections that lives in The Collective, and what I want to create for Park City and those who follow us."

2. You played soccer at a high level, you completed your first Ironman Triathlon in 2024, and are an avid snowboarder. Do you feel that being an athlete has shaped your design style?

"Absolutely. Function and fashion, but on a body meant for real life."

"Park City is a very active community, to which athletics and fitness are a core focus. I love competition and being strong and powerful in my body. To that, I have always known that I would never be a "model type" body. And I love that. I am muscular and fit, but not small. So when I look at style, it needs to fit everyone, myself included. And it needs to function in our community/lifestyle. I often see pieces that are meant for a fabulous event, or a more elevated fabric for a special occasion. But...I want to wear this dressy item pants with a sweatshirt and or sneakers. Everything should be multi-functional - despite its original design purpose. We get one life and one opportunity to shine - and style is a way to shine. Every piece can be an opportunity to shine!"

3. You did not pursue a degree in design or fashion, what led you into this industry?

"I love all things creative. Painting, sewing, writing, dance...I still remember as a child, receiving a fashion creation "kit" that gave you plastic sketch body-form and I was obsessed. I have always had an affinity for colors and creation - but didn't know how to put that before anything else. I also loved writing and sports and was able to do both while getting my BA in Journalism and a successful career in soccer too."

"But fashion and art was always there."

4. The Collective has a strong team. As a leader, how do you cultivate that?

"I love our team! Each person is dynamic, with a unique background and vision. On one side, I am running a business. But the other is getting my team excited and immersed in what we do and what makes The Collective really awesome. I want to support my team's growth, not just at work, but in life too. We are a family!"

5. What are you most excited about in 2025?

"The new brands. Spring/Summer had a plethora of new and innovative style and I am so excited to share what excited me."

6. You helped build The Collective from the ground up, what are your goals for the business going forward?

"It has been such an amazing experience in these first 5 years and I plan to keep this momentum going. I want to keep our team strong and hopefully open a second location."

7. Ten favorite brands.