I spent as much time as I could at the coffee shop getting to know the locals, and in the process I was introduced to Paul Wiggins who has lived in Big Bend for over 35 years.  He went to Big Bend after attending Rice University, and like many others that visit, he never left.  He has been creating his one of a kind silver creations for over 20 years and I was seriously impressed when he first showed me a bracelet he was wearing.  His designs are extremely unique and I have never seen silver jewelry like this ever before.  There is a simplicity to his work that speaks volumes about him as a person and how he has lived his life.  He sand casts all of his creations and fabricates them all on his own, sometimes taking months to perfect his designs.  The integrity of each piece is remarkable and within each one, you understand what living on the fringe provides an artist: truth, solidarity and a unique perspective. Paul doesn’t create art for the purpose of popularity, money or success; he creates as an extension of himself and his truth.

Silversmith Paul Wiggins

An assortment of cuffs

The silver concho belt is beyond amazing!

I covet this belt!!

Copper and silver pieces reflect his Texas roots

This is a mini replication of a Native American canteen

The shapes he creates are very unique

Paul’s father’s life in the military has a major influence on his designs. This cuff is a favorite.

The crosses are influenced by the local cemetary’s graves.

Growing up during the Vietnam war has influenced his design

Such a unique piece, this one belongs to me!

Paul inscribes his logo, the year and “Terlingua” on every piece he creates giving each piece it’s own mark in history.

Artisan Paul Wiggins

I feel so honored to own one of Paul’s designs and I’m excited to share his special work with the rest of the world in this post.  You currently can only buy Paul’s work directly from him in Big Bend.  He doesn’t have a website, he doesn’t have a cell phone, and no he actually doesn’t have email either.  That’s what living on the fringe is folks! If you would like to commission a piece from him, you can call him on his home phone (432) 371-2361.  In the meantime, I’m working on a plan to help him get into some stores so more people will be able to own one of his special pieces.

Thanks to my road dawg, Lindsay Lohden, for the beautiful photographs of Paul’s work.  You can follow her eye on instagram @lohdy.

I’ve been to a lot of places across the country and have seen some really beautiful landscapes, but nothing can quite compare to the mixed textures and levels of awesomeness that this part of West Texas has.  So majestic, so regal, so strong these mountains are.  And to see the Rio Grande river running right alongside them…well, its just beyond beautiful.  You can feel the history of our country down there.  Mexico is but a few feet away and you are looking across at it the entire time.  Very surreal and very special.  This place captured my heart and I’m already planning my trip back in September.

Here is the drive down the River road…

The heaven’s were singing to me down here

Our first dip in the Rio Grande

Such a sweet spot!

The first town we hit in Big Bend was Lajitas which was a beautiful community that actually has a small resort type hotel there.  I need to check it out.  This cemetary caught our eye and we were so taken with it’s beauty.  Set on the mountainside made of rocks, the graves with the wrought iron crosses were so breathtaking and unique.  What an amazing place to spend your resting days..

Lajitas, TX

We stayed in Terlingua Ghost Town in Big Bend at a very special and magical place, La Posada Milagro. I stumbled upon this spot online and was so amazed when we got there at how wonderful it was.  A group of 5 casitas all set up on a hill with views of all of the Big Bend and Mexico mountains.  This is a place where you literally just sit and watch and look and be present; no cell phone service, no internet, just a complete disconnect and reconnect to mother earth.  The night we arrived we witnessed the most amazing lightning storm and transition into rainbows and sunshine.  This place is truly spectacular!

 

 

I loved the simplicity of the decor and surroundings and how everything was set up to be outside. There was an outdoor kitchen and bar and a ton of little seating areas. Just down from the casitas is the town’s coffee shop where are the locals hung out and caught up. I met some amazing artists and people at that coffee shop and it was so inspiring.  Next week I will be sharing an artisan that I met at the coffee shop who has been living in Terlingua for nearly 30 years.  This place attracts some really interesting artists, hippies and intellectuals and I can’t wait to go back and reconnect with them.

Marfa is a bizarre mix of a small old west town and a progressive NYC neighborhood.  It’s kinda crazy, I’ve really never seen anything quite like it before and now I understand what all the fuss is about in regard to this town.  The juxtaposition between the flatlands and the old town and the modernity that the NYC art world has brought in is quite unusual. At times throughout our stay, we would look around at the mix of cowboys and artists walking around and it felt a bit surreal.  From the new stores that have found their way into town to the art galleries and the progressive restaurants and food trucks, Marfa is definitely making a mark in regard to the over-arching artistic movement that is happening across the USA.

Once again, the photo opportunities were amazing and it was hard not to take a picture of every building, sign, and skyline that we saw.  This town and the area around it is prime for some serious photoshoots. Joshua Tree, be warned, Marfa will soon be taking your spot in all the latest denim and contemporary advertising shoots.  It was surprising how such a little town with only ONE STOPLIGHT could provide such an endless array of photography opportunities.

Our Arrival…

Our digs for the next few days were at the El Cosmico, a great spot complete with teepees, safari tents and renovated airstreams.  The property included a hammock grove, an outdoor kitchen, bar and outdoor showers all completing the bohemian camping vibe of the place. We loved the property and the whole aesthetic(we did some serious damage in the gift store!).  The owner, Liz Lambert, also owns the Thunderbird in Marfa as well as Hotel San Jose and Hotel St Cecilia in Austin and she has done a great job targeting her customer.

Our walkabout through town…

Along the way we discovered some local artists and got a peak into their studios in town.  First we met Lizzy from Snakeoil Magick whose hand-dyed Shibori garments I had spotted last year during my visit to Austin’s JM Drygoods(which actually used to be in Marfa).  As we passed artist Lizzy’s house, she happened to be outside and showed us around her place.  I absolutely loved the painting on the side of her place, and discovered that it was her logo. This is a great example of the quirkiness of Marfa and I loved the idea and freedom of an artist placing her brand on her home space signifying the lifestyle she has created.

Another find was The Wrong Store, a gallery owned by local artists Buck and Camp that have been living in Marfa for the past 11 or so years.  (They were actually featured on the 60 minutes story, make sure you check it out!) A super fun creative couple, their studio gallery is in an old church while their house is the old rectory connected to the space.  Camp is an amazing artist who creates unique objects out of carved reclaimed wood.  I’m talking giant tequila bottles, boom boxes, guns and other wacky objects. Funny enough, I had seen some of Camp’s work at a gallery in Austin that I wrote about a few years ago.  His wife, Buck runs the gallery space that had a great collection of local and global artists including Camp’s work.  They feature artists monthly and are definitely a big contendor in the quirky perspective that Marfa has on the art scene.  Their space was one of my favorites.  Make sure to take a look at their website, they don’t allow pictures to be taken while inside the space.

Their hot pink house attached to their gallery

Camp and Buck’s creative interpretation of a fence

Unfortunately we were in Marfa at the beginning of the week and the town is really only open from Wednesday through Sunday- good information to know if you plan on visiting! However, we were able to do some window shopping and got a glance into a few cool stores including designer Dosa’s gallery store Tienda M and local artisan boot makers Cobra Rock Boot Company. This small town is filled with artisans and I only was able to scratch the surface on the scene that is going on here.  There is also a great store Freda that carries some really great independent artists from LA and NYC including  artisan Adina Mills and many others.

Tienda M

Another view of Tienda M

Handmade boots at Cobra Rock Boot Company

Shop Freda

Inside Freda

I can’t wait to head back to Marfa in September for El Cosmico’s Trans Pecos music festival.  Now that I am in Texas, visits to Marfa will be more frequent and I look forward to sharing more with you in regard to the artists and people that are living here.  I only scratched the surface and I look forward to digging a bit deeper into the community and seeing how I can bring what they are doing to other parts of the world through The Sche Report.

Till next time Marfa…

P.S. Just this week I discovered a really great crew of creative folks that are producing a magazine called The Collective Quarterly.  It’s a group of artists, photographers, and illustrators who have joined forces and are visually communicating the above referenced USA artistic movement via these quarterly magazines dedicated to places where this movement is happening. Their first issue is on Marfa.  We happened to be there at the exact time they were and must have been a few steps behind eachother during the entire trip.  Check out their amazing instagam feed of their trip to West Texas at @collectivequarterly and sign up to receive this first issue on their website.

The first stop was east of Los Angeles in the Coachella Valley about an hour and a half from Palm Springs.  I have been wanting to visit this area the entire time I have lived in Los Angeles and somehow never had made it there. I was excited to drive along the Salton Sea and witness its strange terrain.  The sea was created in 1905 when the Colorado River flooded into it.  It is below sea level and contains more salt that seawater which results in killing all of the animals that try to survive in its magnitude.  This explains the “whitewash” effect that is all over the shore filled with feathers and fish skeletons and other random bleached out remnants of the sea.  The feeling around this area was very eerie yet extremely beautiful and quiet.  It was remarkable.

About a half hour away in Niland,the folk art site known as Salvation Mountain sits in all its glory.  Artist Leonard Knight built his massive tribute to God out of adobe clay and donated paint with the art spanning 50 feet high and 150 feet wide in the desert.  I had first seen this place in the movie “Into the Wild” and I had always been fascinated and wanted to check it out.  I was amazed at his dedication and very impressed by the magnitude of the site.  It was quite amazing to walk through and discover.

Anyone that is traveling east of LA, these two spots are a MUST SEE! Their stark contrast is so compelling and both equally challenge your visual perception of landscapes.

Picture by my road partner @lohdy on instagram

My environment has always been a huge reflection of my personal style and taste level and with my talent in merchandising, I really enjoy interior design.  You know I am a collector of vintage finds and unique things for my closet, and my place is no different.  I have been collecting objects, art and furniture for almost 20 years and in this Los Angeles apartment I was able to put them all together to create a unique environment that fully represents me.  I take references from all over the world from Africa to Mexico and Asia, I borrow from the past and I make nods to the future making sure everything works harmoniously together to create soul and character.

As I let go of my Los Angeles digs, I look forward to creating a new environment in Austin that represents this new chapter in my life.  Right now, its all about Reinvention for me.  So here’s one last look at my past…can’t wait to show you my future.

Everybody always wanted to have photoshoots at my house and right before I left, I worked with my gals from Heyoka Leather on their summer 2013 lookbook in my apartment.  The images by Alexandra Valenti are gorgeous and the shoot turned out fantastic with models Kelly Ash and Jenny Parry showcasing Heyoka’s best bags and jewelry for the season.  Take a look at the images below and be sure and check out Heyoka Leather on facebook and instagram for more!

The two ladies have been designing the contemporary women’s collection, Leyendecker, for about 8 years and recently decided to pursue a different creative path in their artistry in the form of these said dream catchers and much more.

Lisa and Jessica of Texa Collection

I was very excited to sit down with the ladies this week and discuss the inspiration for their new line, Texa, and find out more.  Their new focus on interiors and away from apparel was a natural move for the both of them as they have had a strong love for interiors and the hunt of found objects for years. The two met eachother 9 years ago and began a collaborative relationship that has stood strong. Each serving as a direct opposite point of view, their creative brains merge in what seems to be a seamless process.  In their quest to have more freedom as artists and to produce something with emotion and authenticity, they are now catering to a customer that doesn’t follow the fashion calendar, but rather is looking for something unique and long-lasting.  YES!!!

When we began to talk about their inspiration and their new ethos, my heart started to race as I have such a deep understanding and connection to their new creative strategy.  One that doesn’t fit into any mold, doesn’t have definitive delivery dates, and isnt’ “old” once the season has passed.  The train they are now on is the future and I find more and more that this is the new way of doing things.  Your own way.

Collection of dreamcatchers at Church boutique

The basis of their new interiors lifestyle collection is rooted in the art of found objects, objet trouve, and communicates an aesthetic of contrasts:  sophistication, bohemia, classic style and rock n roll.  The name “Texa” is derived from the latin word “to weave”, thus creating the inspiration for their line.  With their two different perspectives, references are “weaved together” to create a very unique luxury product for the modern day bohemian.

A snapshot into their studio and collection of found objects

Lisa and Jessica have a love for the hunt and have collected treasures most of their life which led them to the creation of this collection.  The dream catchers are made with a bicycle tire as the center (hello, genius!), and also incorporate leather, ostrich eggs, ox bone poker chips from the 19th century, egret feathers from the 1960′s, bike chain holders, bones and are finished off with hand wrapped and dyed horsehair tassels.

Dream catcher created from bicycle tires, feathers, horsehair, eggs, bike chain holders, leather and more

Horsehair and feathers

Prices of the dream catchers range from $2500-$4500

Their white collection is on display at Church boutique, but they also have a collection of all black

Texa Collection started with the oversize dreamcatchers and sparked inspiration to create a lifestyle collection to include pillows and jewelry to satisfy their customers’ thirst for this aesthetic. Creating product that has longevity and usefullness is extremely marketable in this retail environment and leads the movement of buying based on emotional connection rather than trends.

A collection of pillows at Church

Their pillows are also created from found fabrics and weaved together to create a ying/yang of the past and the future.  Materials used are vintage moto leather jackets, 100 yr old french grain sack, persian lamb and horsehair.

Large oversized motorcycle leather pillow with hand wrapped horsehair

Modern patchworking with persian lamb, leather and french grain sack.

Horsehair seems to be one of their signature elements and I love it

A distinctive quality in their pillows will be their unique shapes and sizes.  From here they will also begin to design quilts, chair cushions and much more.  The price range of the pillows is $1000-$2500 depending on elements and size.

They didn’t stop there…..their collection also branches into accessories that are inspired by rosary/prayer beads.  They wanted to take the handmade quality of their work and design jewelry that will also communicate their vision.  Rather than a cross or religious totem at the end, they attach their signature horse hair tassel to add whimsy to the delicate nature of the gemstones they are using.

A few items from their jewelry collection

The necklaces are 14k gold plate and elements include pave diamonds, leather, wood, pyrite, magnesite and of course their signature horsehair.  Prices range between $1000-$2500 depending on the design.

Wooden beads are combined with pyrite and pave diamonds

Pave diamonds secure the horsehair tassel

I love the delicacy of the elements combined with horsehair

I love how these necklaces look layered and Jessica was modeling them in the perfect style.

Jessica’s collection for the day

This is only the very beginning for Texa and I am so excited to see where they take it.  The possibilities are endless and their customer base is only going to grow as quality and design wins over mass production and consumption.

Their current collection can be seen at Church Boutique and you can also visit the Texa website for more.

A view from the tavern

The cute little shop was hosted by master beadworker Julia Pfeifer and her collection of amazing work. She has been designing in the field of micro-beading for over 25 years which is a craft that has been almost forgotten since the 1920′s.  Her work proves that history can remain in tact with each of her one of a kind collector’s pieces.  I was completely mesmerized by her work and she was such a lovely lady.

Outside of the shop

An example of her handmade bags with her beading

She takes vintage leathers and creates designs on them.

All of these squares connect to create a very special concho belt

These are just crazy amazing

The scene of this historical enclave was special and felt like nothing had been touched in over 100 years.

Enjoying a margarita outside of the bar

The scene included cowboys, motorcycle riders, locals and musicians.

A little denim inspiration in the mix;  I’m obsessed with these Discharge Bali flare leg jeans from Free People and I had to immediately buy a pair when I got home.  

Big Tom is set up every sunday outside selling his delicious tri tip sandwiches

The atmosphere

My gal Lindsay Lohden who brought me to this special spot.

The Ojai jail building

The Chinese chain gang’s quarters.

Signs of the chain gang

An old building on the property

Another moment outside of the bar

The music was perfect for the environment and was part of what made the place so special.  A great blues band and a dance floor is all we need to let the good times roll and for the dancing to begin.

The Sky Ferguson Band  from Santa Barbara

At the helm

Quite a collection of harmonicas

Strummin’ and Pickin’

Some cool cats

 Two- stepping and twirling

After all the music and dancing was over, we headed to the tavern and had a delicious rustic dinner in the coziest environment.  Truly, I’m not sure if one thing has changed in this restaurant since it was built.  It completely reminded me of my family’s log cabin in Texas and I felt right at home.  The decor is so classic and every little piece hanging on the wall tells a story of the history of the place.

A giant fireplace when you enter

Our cozy table in the corner

Hanging on the wall

The rest of the tavern

Another dining room

Native Americans are a integral  part of the history of Santa Barbara

Cute and cozy and very country!

The day at Cold Springs Tavern was blissful and I didn’t want it to end.  We met some super fun ladies and all celebrated the day together with dancing and tequila.  What more could you want on a Sunday?  Play on, play on….

Thanks to my girl Lindsay Lohden for the photography help.

Be sure and follow her @Lohdy on Instagram.

I was inspired to use their jewelry in COREY’S Fall 2013 fashion presentation in NYC last week and it was such a great juxtaposition to Corey’s feminine aesthetic.  I loved how the jewelry brought out her edgier rebellious side and showed her love of using eclectic elements in her design aesthetic. I was really happy with the collaboration and it was really great working with these K/LLER ladies! Before I left town they let me stop by their studio and hang out for a bit and talk shop.  Always a treat!

Co-Creators Katie deGuzman and Michael Miller

The girls have been friends for over ten years dating back to their days studying furniture design at Parsons.  After years of doing their own separate design work in the jewelry, furniture and lighting industries, they found themselves in eachother’s path again at just the right time.  In 2010, they created their combined aesthetic to become K/LLER COLLECTION.  Inspired by motorcycles, alchemy, rusted tools and androgyny, Katie and Michael have a very clear idea of who they are and you can feel it in every piece that they create together.

“ It is about the juxtaposition of hard and soft, the
dark side clashing with the sweet, and choosing vice over virtue. The adornments speak of an unapologetically gutsy rebel-yell. Gritty and unfettered yet incredibly chic the pieces are subtly bohemian with a biker-chick aesthetic.”

Brand inspiration

 

Work station

The collection is hand crafted in the USA with all pieces being assembled in their Brooklyn studio.  They start the design process by sketching and work very closely with casting artisans to help perfect their vision before it comes back into their hands to assemble.

Sketching of new designs in progress

The aesthetic round up

The line is edgy and sharp but is contradicted by the delicacy of it’s angles.  Porcupine quills, fish jaws, arrowheads, horns, distressed leather, stalactites, petals, porcupine quills and feathers are transformed into delicate and dark little talismans for its wearer.

“It is about the juxtaposition of hard and soft, the dark side clashing with the sweet, and choosing vice over virtue.”

I’m such a fan of these cuffs

Sharp contrasts

Talismans and more

Some of my favorites

Delicate sharpness

The collection is quickly gaining momentum and is currently showcased at over 30 selected stores worldwide including some of my favorites Tenoversix, Helmut Lang, Sucre, Feathers and Need Supply. Barneys New York just picked up the line for Spring 2013, and the Japanese market is on their horizon. For a full stockist, look here.

I’m so excited to know these ladies and even more excited to be wearing all of my new jewelry that I acquired during my visit! Thank you Katie and Michael xxoo

My new K/LLER COLLECTION

]]> http://theschereport.wordpress.com/2013/04/11/studio-visit-brooklyns-kller-collection/feed/ 0 theschereport Co-Creators Katie Dugezman and Michael Miller Brand inspiration IMG_1417 Work station Porcupine quill art hangs on the wall Sketching of new designs in progress The aesthetic round up Wall of jewelry Love how all the pieces can be worn together A wall of bracelets and earrings An assortment of necklaces And more... An assortment of earrings Some of my favorites More earrings... My new K/LLER COLLECTION http://theschereport.wordpress.com/2013/04/08/corey-fall-2013-nyc-presentation/ http://theschereport.wordpress.com/2013/04/08/corey-fall-2013-nyc-presentation/#comments Mon, 08 Apr 2013 19:30:49 +0000 theschereport http://theschereport.wordpress.com/?p=8205 ]]> Last week I was in NYC to style my client, Corey Lynn Calter’s Fall 2013 presentation at The Jane Hotel.  The event turned out so great and it was so much fun to be a part of it as everyone involved was so great and super talented. Some of NYC’s best editors, stylists and bloggers came out to toast Corey and congratulate her on the re-branding of her 12 year old eponymous line.  You can read Style.com’s coverage on the event here and also read an interview Corey did on the Huffington Post here.  I had a great time collaborating with the accessory brands that I used including K/LLER COLLECTION jewelry, Gladys Tamez Millinery and Seychelles shoes.  Stay tuned for more on my studio visit with K/LLER COLLECTION this week on The Sche Report.

Take a look at at some of my snapshots of the night below.

The atmosphere and amazing DJ booth

Makeup by Smashbox Cosmetics and hair by Toni & Guy

K/LLER COLLECTION jewelry was a great pairing to Corey’s collection

All coming together with hats by Gladys Tamez Millinery

Backstage shots

Great shoes by Seychelles

Special guest DJ Tennessee Thomas rocked some amazing 60′s soul on vunyl

Hostess Nora Zehetner with Corey’s PR Director Shana Honeyman

The Collection

Perfect setting for this collection

One of my favorite looks in the middle with the cape

This model from Wilhelmina was so gorgeous

More looks

Another favorite look on the left

So in love with this peacock printed smoking jacket

Everybody loved the hats by Gladys Tamez

Another favorite look, these mixed print pajama pants are so chic

Love!

The last look

Corey with Ilona of Advanced Style

I’m wearing a star suit from Corey’s Holiday collection with a Donna Karan blouse, Prada shoes  and a vintage belt I found at the Rose Bowl flea market.

It was a great night and a wonderful event! Looking forward to the next one!