Morgane Richardson at home in Kingston, NY: “Style has always been about how playful I can be.”
Growing up, I lived opposite a girl named Emma who was special. While the rest of us spotty teens followed pop stars and each other through trending cycles of tight cropped tees, low slung Diesel jeans, bombers and Spice Girl platform shoes, Emma sketched and sewed her own unique clothing creations. Her room was full of designs. At the sixth form ball we both attended (the British version of a prom), I was standing awkwardly in my shop bought gown and stick-on nails when Emma walked in: radiant in a white bodice and handmade skirt that trailed a bustle of multi-colored ribbons, manifested from her imagination. I envied her talent, her shiny red hair and her utter contentment with being original.
We haven’t seen each other for years (she lives in Paris now, working in fashion, naturally) but I thought of Emma on a recent trip to Rosendale Theatre to see the new David Bowie movie Moonage Daydream. Part documentary, part music video, the film was a visceral reminder of how electric it can be when someone commits to be the full package: style, swagger, artistry.
Of course, Bowie’s looks were legendary, on stage and off, and ever evolving. He burst onto the scene with a bright red mullet and lightning flash makeup, an alien descended, making millions swoon despite having teeth not unlike Milkshake the Llama at Kelder’s Farm. Post-Berlin, as he dallied with more “simple” music, Bowie danced across the world in dandy suits with voluminous trousers, skin shining like a peroxide matinee idol. In later years, he stalked New York in monochrome, before releasing his final, posthumous album Blackstar. His art was his life, and his magnetism would have been distinctly less powerful without the careful curation of his aesthetic.
Style is a vital part of self expression for many people, including artists, and personally I’ve always loved getting dressed up. For that, I blame my mum — 5ft nothing of chic fitted jackets with a splash of No. 5, and an enthusiastic supporter of block color boiler suits in the ‘80s — who, on annual childhood shopping trips to London, would take me to Harvey Nicks (darling) so I could try on Chanel tweeds and D&G dresses, imagining myself at events where such finery would be necessary. While I have never been as innovative as David or Emma in my clothing choices, how I dress is important to me in representing who I am… or who I want to be that day. Biker. Boho. Vamp. Preppy. Neon. I can be all these things — just, please, not boring.
My mother in the 1970s: effortlessly chic while building their first house (image courtesy of Peter Norman)
Living in NYC was catnip for my more exhibitionist side: a living runway where I could try out myriad looks for work everyday, striving for approving glances from avant-garde women on the subway. And it would be easy to assume that style is synonymous with metropolitan life — Bowie himself bounced from Brixton to LA to Berlin to the Big Apple. But that is not the case. On the contrary, I have been constantly inspired since moving upstate by the individualism of people around me. Yes, the choices are often more practical than in the city (less heels, more grip), but the personal styling of many friends in the Hudson Valley is effortless and eclectic, seamlessly blending new sustainable brands, classic references and vintage finds.
So, I wanted to give space to shine a light on two people who inspire me daily with their fashion palette. People whose stylistic choices are in equal parts whimsical, on-the-spot decisions and deeply personal statements. Women in whom I recognize a kindred spirit of rebellion against conforming to standard expectations based on gender or life stage; and the uncontrollable urge to give visual clues to their brilliant, restless, unboring selves, even when you just spot them across the parking lot for school drop-off on a windy November day.
I asked both women about the origins of their style and why it matters to them.
Stephanie Bauman (and Habi the cat)
Co-Owner and Director of Sales & Communications, BjornQorn, Accord, NY, wearing overalls by Lisa Says Gah collaboration with Birthday Girl
“I have no idea what I would call my style. I know what I like, but I don’t think I fit into a certain category. I really love textiles and fabric and patterns. I often see wall paper and think ‘I want overalls in that style.’
I went to an all girls school in Manhattan and I was 100% not in the club. I wore my Salvation Army t-shirts and things that intentionally set me apart and got me planted in detention. I was a huge thrifter, there are so many good thrift stores in New York. I love finding the needle in the haystack. I recently found a Searle shearling coat from High Falls flea market for $55. I enjoy stores like Marshall’s for the same reason. It’s a mission, a hunt for the gold. That’s my favorite way to buy clothes.
There have been things that I wanted to wear or ways I wanted to dress that don’t work for my body — you just have to know. I think when I look my best it’s because I feel confident and completely myself. I also really love pants that fit in a very specific way (my current faves are the Work Pant from Big Bud Press). I saw Ricky Martin on TV when I was in high school, and I said to my mum: ‘He wears pants really well, pants fit his body in a beautiful way.’ But I like to admire lots of people. There were some amazing old NYC ladies at my dad’s church growing up — they ran the gamut from purple hair and leopard spandex to Audrey Hepburn type.
I struggled with body image as a kid and a teen, the fashion beauty standard was so abrasive in the ‘90s. But it’s incredibly liberating to just dress for myself now. And sometimes I like to dress for my kids. When I put something on I can just feel if it’s right. It might not be anyone else’s cup of tea, but it’s how it makes me feel. People say “you look so happy” when I wear these overalls that I bought for myself when I turned forty. I like having things that feel unique. I’m kind of a sentimental or nostalgic person and it brings me a lot of pleasure to have things in my home and on my body that feel special. Like my Grandmother’s wedding band. Such an honor.”
Morgane Richardson (and Joplin the dog)
Doula and Co-founder of Woven Bodies, Kingston, NY, wearing jumpsuit by Ilana Kohn
“For me, style has always been a form of self expression, and about how playful I can be. I want to be comfortable and at the same time express what’s coming up for me. And now I’m more thoughtful about what companies I go for. I will often go for things that are a little bigger — not because I’m trying to hide; I love the body I’m in, but I love the shape of those styles. If we go for a fancy dinner I’ll put on a huge tent dress with paint splatters!
My mom is a huge influence on me and Woolf [Morgane’s daughter] as well. Fashion has always been very much part of our family; and it’s an odd form of healing for us. Our unit growing up was me, my mum and one of my aunts. When there were tough things happening in the world, we would say ‘OK, let’s go shopping now’. It wasn’t about spending money, it was being together and looking at textures, colors and playing with pieces together, and talking to designers. It’s our way of being more artistic and showing that side of ourselves.
I studied art history in undergrad. I loved it and wanted to be a curator — but then I realized this is powerful work but people are paying millions of dollars for it to just sit in people’s homes. Fashion is very accessible. You can make it yourself. With lovely pieces I have, I have contacted the artist and paid little by little. You can thrift, you can share through exchanges. For the last 15 years, my mum and I have had clothes go back and forth between us.
Pre-pandemic I hadn’t realized how much of my femininity was to do with other people and the world. With the pandemic and being home for so long, I realized that that feminine expression of self has diminished a bit. I still do pinks and lean into it — but with looser clothing. And style is more about me at this point than the world around me.”
Thank you to Morgane and Stephanie for your honesty, generosity of time and inspiring choices every day. All contemporary photography in this edition by AJ Lee.
Speaking of local, sustainable clothing brands: I have just discovered Oddobody and I am an instant fan — 100% cotton underwear that is good for our bodies and the planet, created by Catskills resident Shira Wheeler.
Plus, as nights draw in, I am looking for more ways to be entertained indoors. Check out Hudson Basilica, MJN Center (formerly Mid Hudson Civic Center), Tubby’s and many more awesome music, comedy and experience venues across the valley to fill your cultural cup and calendar this Fall.