Meet the Kulest 12 Year Old: Riley Kinnane-Petersen

We first met Riley Kinnane-Petersen in 2016 when she was six years old, on the hunt for the perfect striped tee. Rileyโ€™s style is incredible: she mixes pieces like no other. She is also a businessperson, running her accessories brand Gunner & Lux — which she started at just five years old — with her father. We had the pleasure to chat with Riley about her incredible style, how she shops, her brand, and what animal she would be :). Without further ado, Riley!

KULE values confidence, boldness, and not taking dressing too seriously. Riley emulates that perfectly, and we are so excited to chat with her and have her style some KULE Spring/Summer pieces :).

The Rugby stripe shirt is a staple. I actually have a blue and red one from a few seasons ago. I thought a fun leather pencil skirt would make it a bit rock and roll, and I have probably about 25 pairs of KULE socks (they are soooo good) and this cherry pair is my new favorite! They went really well with my green heels from The Label. And of course, I had to add our Gunner & Lux Cherries Necklace!”ย  – Riley
The Rugby

The Rugby

Mon Cherry Sock

Mon Cherry Sock

Gunner & Lux Rhinestone Cherries Necklace

Gunner & Lux Rhinestone Cherries Necklace

The Label Kitten Heel Pump

The Label Kitten Heel Pump

Theory Leather Pencil Skirt

Theory Leather Pencil Skirt

Riley says her go-to look is a skirt or a dress with a fun top and a jacket over her shoulders. When I asked her if there is anything she’d never wear, she told me she would never say never, but maybe her dadโ€™s cowboy hat. Fashionable and cheeky!

Another look with the Rugby was adding my KULE Trench [ed note: stay tuned for our new one coming soon!]. I have had this trench for about 2 years, and it is a staple in my wardrobe. Everyone should have a trench coat. I added my favorite pair of vintage camo pants, and our new Gunner & Lux Gold Sailboat Necklace for Summer!” – Riley

Riley grew up in Atlanta and says the city’s fashion inspired her to get dressed. Last summer, she moved to Maine and now looks to the ocean, the sailboats, and the lighthouses for inspiration in style and designing jewelry. The move came with a haircut too: she simultaneously chopped it off into a super chic pixie cut!

Photo of sailboats in Maine, taken by Riley’s dad and business partner, John (hi John!)

Riley’s only style ethos is to have fun with fashion. She feels most confident in an outfit that makes her smile, inspired by the joys in life like animals, nature, and bright neon colors. One specific piece in her closet she cherishes most dearly is her favorite vintage Gucci purse, purchased with her own money after she loved the new versions from the Gucci runway. Right now, she happens to be eyeing the Celine T-Bar Leather Pump in brown (same, Riley ๐Ÿ™‚). She’s pretty much an expert in mixing classic and playful pieces together.

Riley Gunner & Lux styling KULE
The striped crochet shorts are so amazing! I paired it with an old oxford Thom Browne shirt, my Saint Laurent moto boots, and our Gunner & Lux Blue Bird Necklace to give the outfit a pop of color.” – Riley
The Agnes Shorts

The Agnes Shorts

Thom Browne Cotton Shirt

Thom Browne Cotton Shirt

Gunner & Lux Birdie the Blue Bird Necklace

Gunner & Lux Birdie the Blue Bird Necklace

Saint Laurent Moto Boots

Saint Laurent Moto Boots

The Raven

The Raven

Riley says if she were any animal, she would be a fox because they are sly, quick, and so beautiful. So, of course Gunner & Lux makes a fox necklace, which just so happens to be one of their best sellers ๐ŸฆŠ.

Riley has been a friend of KULE for years.
“I was 8 years old, in search of the perfect stripe tee. When I came across KULE, I wasnโ€™t sure if the tees would fit me so I sent a message to Nikki and begged her to make kid’s tees. Guess what! I have a kid’s tee named after me! I have been wearing KULE ever since!” – Riley

Shop Riley’s KULE picks here and her own brand’s gems at Gunner & Lux!