Ryn Parks
they/them/theirs
creative director and stylist, BB Thriftin’ and Ryn’s Creative Studios
“I feel like I’ve always been into fashion," Ryn Parks said. “Even as a kid, I loved playing dress up in whoever’s closet.”
They were able to turn their passion into their career and now operate Bad Bitch Thriftin’ and Ryn’s Creative Studios out of Boheme Shops on Butler Street in Lawrenceville. Parks offers vintage and resale clothing as well as personal styling services.
“It’s a small maker community space, local artists, vintage venders and makers, and we all have our own separate stores within the store,” Parks said. “It comes together as a very beautiful niche boutique, which I love being a part of.”
Community is an important part of Parks’ work. They were just getting into Pittsburgh’s queer scene when they opened their business, and they tailored their offerings to that community.
“I wanted to make sure, at least when I began, that I was doing this for the communities I align with,” they said. “I absolutely do this for the girls, the gays and the theys. I want to bring it back to my community, provide dresses for the dolls in their balls.”
Parks noted that it can be challenging for people in the queer community to feel comfortable expressing their identity through fashion, but they believe all people deserve to look and feel their best, however they choose to do so.
“I just want to make others feel good and to feel as good about themselves as I feel about myself,” they said. “That’s really what’s bringing me in, what draws me in. Sometimes it feels like the world at large doesn’t want to see people like us exist at all, and they definitely don’t want to listen. So I make sure we are seen, with loud fashion since they won’t listen to our voices.”
Looking to the future, Parks wants to offer gender-affirming style workshops in partnership with local organizations serving the LGBTQIA+ community. They hope to help trans and nonbinary individuals understand their bodies and help them dress however they want to present.
“I want to do this in a couple of different places for our community to be able to show up easily,” they said.
They have plans to launch their own design collection, and they want to explore opportunities to do collaborative art through community events across ages and backgrounds. They also have an upcoming project with the Andy Warhol Museum. And they’re always looking for ways to connect other local creatives.
“I know I needed a lot of help when I got started, and I want to let people know I’m a resource, too,” Parks said. “If I don’t know someone, I know someone who knows someone.”
Parks believes that fashion is art and art is political, and whatever the future holds, they will be turning to their favorite art form to build community and to create change.
“I believe that using fashion to stand up and out as a Black queer woman and for all TLGBQ+ folx is an act of resistance to societal norms and pressures,” they said. “I want to inspire and encourage people to take up space in these ways. I want to help everyone look and feel good despite the current state of the world, despite anyone’s health status, despite the cards we’ve been dealt. We deserve to feel good, confident and be seen.”