ABOUT KERRY

With a colorful, multipronged career that spans more than two decades, it’s easy to understand why Minnesota-based maven—Kerry Riley—struggles to give herself a single professional label. 

“I’ve been a Photographer…Pattern maker for a dancewear company…Wardrobe Assistant, Wardrobe Stylist, Prop Stylist, Costume Designer……..everything, and the lines all blur.” 

In fact, it’s precisely the blurred, overlapping and intersecting lines of Kerry’s many passions that have created the rich, chaotic tapestry of talents upon which her impressive career is securely built. 

After 10+ years of competitive riding, Kerry blurred her intimate understanding of horses and her aptitude for authentically capturing them, into 20+ years as an award winning, world class professional horse photographer. 

In addition to her photography work, Riley (who doubled in Apparel Design and Photography and graduated with honors in 2001) moved to Minneapolis where she began building a portfolio of client work, as well as her own functional but funky, distinctly Kerry flavor of fashion.   

As her name and notoriety grew, Kerry’s personal brand, Needle & Black (formerly Red Shoe Clothing) stomped down the runways of Voltage Fashion Amplified, the Twin Cities beloved rock and roll fashion show for many years.

These days, while Riley still struggles with the accuracy of her professional title, she’s getting closer. 

“[I’ve been] Marie Kondoing [the types of jobs I take], trying to find what makes my heart happy.”

For the time being, Wardrobe Stylist might say it best. But Kerry doesn’t just show up on set to execute a list of tasks. The raw creative energy and strategic vision she brings to any project is nothing short of magical.

“...I love the collaboration involved [in being on a crew]. I actually love working with actors in general. If there aren’t actors, they don’t need me!” Kerry jokes.

Costume Designer, the most recent title to grace Riley's resume, also has a nice ring to it. The work earning her the title can be seen in 4 feature films including "Paulie Go," (Amazon) a feature film directed by Andrew Knackman and showcased in the 2022 MN Film Festival.