FOUNDER AND “MR. HIDDEN”

Matthew von Schenkel was raised in the home of a broadcast media professional, he took his first photographs at age five and he has been refining that vision ever since. In high school, he worked with GLSEN as a youth advocate for LGBTQ rights; going so far as to travel to Washington DC and New York to push for protections against bullying for students of all backgrounds. His travels taught him to love and embrace all types of people and their stories.

At his first job at a Younkers department store in Cedar Rapids, he discovered his interest in fashion merchandising. He would pursue an Apparel Merchandising and Design degree where he would train extensively in photography and styling for magazine production. He worked on Bricolage Magazine at Kirkwood Community College, acting as founding Editor-in-Chief and launching the brand to much acclaim.

When he’s not working on Hidden Des Moines, Matthew is currently working in luxury retail as a Assistant Store Leader at kate spade New York- a brand centered around joy and indulgent little luxuries.