Online Ceramics Tees, Cowboy Hats, and Marbled Tie-Dye: The Best Street Style From Marfa Myths

James Fearon, @james_fearon

I live in Austin, Texas. I was born in Pasadena, California, but I was raised in Houston. I’ve been in Texas for 18 years, and I’ve been in Austin for six. I work at a bodega-type place called Royal Blue Grocery. This is my first time at Marfa Myths. Online Ceramics is great, so I’ve been wearing that. I have one other of their shirts, I think it’s called Haunted Wagon, and I want to get more. I saw that they just put out more stuff the other day. I was just talking to my friend about The Witch ones. They’re really good. I’m also wearing some Adidas tracksuit pants that I bought recently. I’ll probably put on the matching jacket later once it gets cold. I’m wearing Adidas shoes, too, that were on sale for $60. And I got this cowboy hat the day before I left for Marfa at some place in Austin. This is my first cowboy hat. It’s taken some getting used to, but I’m still working out the kinks. Sometimes I feel a little self-conscious wearing it because of how big it is, like I don’t want to block anyone’s view or whatever.

Bailey Elder, @baileyelderberry

I work doing in-house graphic design for Mexican Summer. These pants, I wore them last year to the festival, but they were red. I’ve since bleached them in my backyard and I painted them when I was at this campground in California. I was just really bored and I found some paint in the town and I just painted them and wore them when I was hiking out there in Ojai. I was out there for a festival. I really painted them to wear during that festival, but just on my hike, too. I was just bored, mainly. I like to alter my clothes a lot. If I’m not feeling the vibe they’re giving off anymore, I usually do something to repurpose them or to give them a new life. I usually just dye and bleach stuff and change the color. I do embroider some stuff. I’m just into experimental clothing, I guess.

Elise Pepple, @elisepepple

I grew up in Baltimore, but I live in Marfa. I moved here two and a half years ago to run Marfa Public Radio. I think what’s most important about our station is that there isn’t a singular voice. Our motto is ‘radio for a wide range.’ And this place is an overlap of many worlds: there’s the kind of art world of Marfa, there’s border communities, there’s ranching, there’s oil and gas industry, and so our station is based in Marfa and then we broadcast to 30,000 square miles of West Texas, so basically an area the size of the state of South Carolina. And our programming is not your typical radio station. Our reporters this week won the most awards for journalism for any small station in the country, and that’s super important. Some of what you’ll hear is a group of amazing local DJs, some of what you’ll hear is local journalism, you might hear us reading love notes all day, like on Valentine’s Day, or people’s testimonials to their dead on Día de Muertos. And our unofficial motto is that there are no dull moments, because it’s a really small team that makes everything happen, so we could be driving up a mountain to fix a transmitter, or we could be writing a grant or covering a wildfire or hosting a Tiny Desk Concert. And in terms of my outfit, there’s a woman in town named Willie who was selling this dress a year ago and I saw it and I liked it and she texted me this week saying, ‘I still have that dress if you want it.’ It was my birthday, so I got this dress. It feels like sunshine. These earrings are from a road trip, actually the first time I ever came out here, driving back across Texas.

Juliana Martinez, @jumapaa

I’m from Miami. I live in Miami, but I’m originally from Colombia. I’ve lived there for 20 years. I live in downtown Miami. I’m here just for the festival. It’s my first year, but my friend, who is actually the designer of these pants, she came last year and I was going to come with her but I couldn’t make it out, so I was like, ‘I definitely have to come this year.’ It’s my first time in Marfa. I love it, especially reading up on the history of Donald Judd. I’m really happy to be out here. It’s definitely different to what I’m used to–Miami is a big-ass city—so it’s very cool. The brand is called Simonett. She’s Miami-based. She does all types of contemporary pieces. My top is from another friend of mine, she has thrift shops, and it’s called Almost Always Vintage. And this earring is from my friend who works with artisans from Peru to make these stones. It’s a red spongelis. I was super excited to see Khruangbin, they were phenomenal last night, and I’m super excited to see The Space Lady.

Hayden Marina Jackson, @haydynmarinaj_

I’m originally from Houston. I grew up close to the water, the dirty beaches out near the industry in Seabrook. It’s halfway between Galveston and Houston. I currently live in a small town outside of Austin; it’s called Wimberley. Not a lot of folks there, but it’s quiet. It’s about an hour commute into Austin. You see a lot of longhorn and horses on the drive in. I’m a copywriter for a lot of clients, but I’m also a poet and an electronic musician, for myself, at home. I use a KORG MS20, it’s a modular synthesizer and make just sort of dronescapes. I write poetry for myself and whenever I can figure out an instrument that feels right to go along with that. I’ve been putting together stuff for a demo. For me it’s not a very directed experience with a huge end goal or anything, I’m just experimenting what it feels like to make words and make sounds. I have a lot of private endeavors, like making clothes at home, because I know what I like to wear and I can’t seem to find it out in the world. It’s meditative to practice and work with my hands. I made this canvas top myself, and I just bought this Ashley Rowe chiffon top today.

Lisa Willis, @lisawillsah

I’m from Dallas. I just moved back three weeks ago. I was living in Dubai for the last four years. I was working for Emirates airlines. The traveling was amazing, but I didn’t spend a ton of time in Dubai. It’s a bit of a culture shock being back, but kind of in a good way. I make jewelry, and since I just got back a few weeks ago, I’m trying to get back to my creative side. It just feels super organic, something I can do for hours and hours and not even think about it. I make them out of clay in a bunch of different colors. It’s been dope being here, all of the colors and the houses, and the art is so inspiring. Even the signs, I’ve been taking pictures of just hotel signs. I’ve got some creative juices flowing at the moment. And I’m wearing a floral dress from H&M, on sale from years ago, but I just wanted something airy, comfortable, and summery. And the kicks are Nike. It’s funny, I’ve been searching for some tennis shoes, but I actually found these in the back of my closet literally the night before we drove down, and I was like, Dope. I got these in Bangkok, actually. I don’t even know if they’re real Nikes, but I think they are.

Lon Leary, @lon_peyote

I live in Santa Fe, New Mexico, right now. I’m from Ohio originally. I work at the Museum of International Folk Art as a preparator, and I’m taking pictures for a music blog called New Commute. It’s been a blast. This has been just magic since I got here. I’m wearing Wrangler jeans, a women’s top from Goodwill, a vest from the thrift store, a lot of cameras, bass shoes, which I need to tie, and red socks—always my go-to sock.

Jonah Bell, @blind_stallion_space_wizard

I was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. I grew up there and left when I was 18 and started traveling. The last place I was a permanent resident was New York City; I was living in Brooklyn. I left there two years ago and I’ve been traveling ever since, just living in my van, doing different things. I’ve been in Marfa for about a month. I’ll be here until mid-May, so a couple more weeks, and then I’m going to go to astrology camp in San Diego. I’m a practicing wizard. It’s a really good way of sorting out where you’re coming from to have more an informed idea of what’s happening in the present so you can make empowered choices for your future. A lot of it is allowing people to feel seen and heard. We never get that. No one ever gets to tell their story and be heard and seen in that way, and I find it incredibly powerful and healing to provide that. I found these white jeans in a thrift store somewhere in California for $5. They’re almost not white anymore. My tank top is made by this woman Shari Elf, who is out in Joshua Tree. She’s one of my favorite artists and people in general. It’s got Iggy Pop all over it. This jean vest I found at the thrift store in Alpine, Texas, and it was like, $7, I don’t know. But I’m really glad I bought it because it’s got these big pockets that I can fit my book in. And I found this hat in the dump. It’s a rodeo scene. I try and roll with the international free-box style, where I’m like, Oh, what’s this? I’ll put that on. I’m trying to do three different costume changes a day for the festival.

Katherine Vaughn

I’m from Austin. This is my fourth time coming to the festival. It’s great. There’s been a lot more electronic stuff than in past years, which is fun. Josey Rebelle’s set was amazing. I think that’s been my favorite so far. My boots are vintage, these red satin pants are thrifted. I’m wearing them because they’re comfortable and really fun to dance in—they look really good when you’re moving around and twerking in them. And then this top, this leotard is from Las Cruxes, which is based in Austin, and the hat is a bolero.

Mimi Bowman, @maryotherlamb

I’m from Austin, and I live there now. I sell books and I’m studying archaeology. I want to work in conservation and reconstruction of neo-Syrian architecture, so I eventually want to end up in Iraq. I’ve always wanted to do it. I owned a book shop and an art gallery for a while, so I did that for a few years instead of going to school, and now that the shop is closed, I’m going to school and pursuing that. The shoes I’m wearing are from my sister. She got them on eBay. The pants are little boys’ pants that I got from the thrift store. They’re like tuxedo pants, I guess. They have that weird little stripe. And my top is Annabell P. Lee. I love her stuff. I really want one that’s white and yellow. I’m actually here selling books at Marfa Book Company. I have a setup there, so going to the festival was kind of a perk, but I’ve been enjoying it a lot.

Rachel Rascoe, @rachelrascoe

I’m from Austin and I write for The Austin Chronicle, which is why I’m here. I’m going to write a little update on the festival and then I interviewed Jess Williamson. She’s originally from Texas and used to live in Austin as well. My column is called “Faster Than Sound,” which is inspired by a Janis Joplin song title. It’s the only weekly music news column in The Austin Chronicle, so if something big happens in Austin, more like business news, or just a band is playing that I just really like, I just piece it together every week. I actually got this shirt recently from this vintage store in Austin called Pieceology Vintage and then I got these pants from Everlane because I wanted some new summer pants, and then I’m just wearing Dr. Martens.

Chaz Doriocourt, @dorio.bluff

I’m from Austin. I’m a musician, and I work at a music venue called Cheer Up Charlies. It’s a gay bar but its all-inclusive to everyone. We try not to say no to anyone, unless you’re a jerk. This is my second year at Marfa Myths. Honestly, seeing Emily Sprague at The Block was a highlight. My shirt is Big Bud Press, Wrangler jeans, and then these “Crap” sunglasses. That’s the real name of them. Crap.

Robert Roth

I’m from everywhere. I’m the bass player. I live here now. I retired here about three years ago. This is a little piece of heaven out here, take it from somebody who’s been everywhere. Today, I’m wearing just a pair of blue jeans and a marbled T-shirt, and tomorrow I’m sitting in and doing a couple psychedelic-fusion bass solos at the House Bar. I don’t play with bands anymore, but I’ve played with a lot of bands in the past. A lot of people ask me who I’ve played with in my 55-year career of playing the bass, and I’ve been fortunate enough to play with the best and the worst. It doesn’t matter who you’ve played for. What matters is how well you played.

Christopher Gonzales, @feind.de.semana / @sauvignon.blanca

I live here in Marfa, but I’m originally from Houston. I’m coming up on my one-year anniversary here. I’m a conservator intern at Chinati [Foundation], so you know the people who fix paintings? I do that, but with sculpture. I’m still a wee child at it, so I’m still learning how to do it. When you think about art conservation, it’s usually maintenance. So if someone touches a work, you just go in and clean it. Restoration is really when you go in and do the in-painting and use really advanced technologies. The most common thing is the aluminum boxes at Chinati, people always go in and touch them. So we go in and use certain chemicals to clean them. We cleaned the Irwin half a year ago, it’s a 261-foot piece of fabric and it’s dusty, so you have to hand-brush every square inch of it, and it’s like 10 feet tall. It’s really methodical and soothing. I worked today, so I kind of wanted to wear something neutral in color, and I really like synthetic fabrics. I’m kind of a sadist in that regard, with the weather here. I like the feeling of nylon in the sun, and I wanted a pop of color for my ear and my eye. And I get most of my jewelry from my partner, Paul Chavarria, who makes incredible jewelry. I also do drag as Sauvignon Blanca. We throw a party here every three or four months. It’s a fun time. People get to dance.

Sandra Harper, @sandraharpernymarfa

I live in New York and Marfa. I spend April, June, September, and October in Marfa. I’ve been coming down here since the late ’90s. It’s changed a lot, but this is still a very creative community, and you can’t stop that. And we’re in the Chihuahuan Desert. It’s a very powerful inspiration, and the light here is really very good for your emotional health. It’s very bright and white, and it just makes you feel good. In 2006 I started the farmers’ market here and I was growing food because I wanted this community to feed themselves. It hasn’t really caught on. We do have a farmers’ market. It’s small, but there’s not a lot of produce. I don’t work much with the market anymore, but some of the original producers that I brought in are still there, though. I also make art. When I’m on the East Coast, I work with seaweed. I collect seaweed from Shelter Island, because it’s a bay and I can collect them at low tide, and I make botanicals. And with this outfit, last March I went to Kerala in southern India and you walk down the street and there are men sitting in front of sewing machines. I picked out fabric and showed them a shirt and trousers and they made them. I have another pair that are bi-color—two different colors of green.