The dress/code style series spotlights creators, artists, and style icons living and working in Maine. Interviewed and photographed by Georgia Dixon, each feature captures the unique ways in which our personal styles emerge.
"In Maine there’s a different kind of style. It may not be what people are expecting from ‘fashion’. But it’s certainly there."
Zach St. Clair loves getting dressed. In one of the funniest interview I’ve done so far for dress/code, Zach was open about his early days of getting dressed with intention — the good and the bad — and talked with me about the evolution of his wardrobe and its influences, his favorite way of spotting new outfit inspo, and the Joan Didion words he lives by. Plus, the one garment he waits all year to wear.
"I always want to be growing. I always want to be saying, what if? That’s the essence of creativity."
Maker Betsy Leighton started her design studio, Bowerbird, in 2020. From Lucy Boston block quilted pillows, to Japanese linen aprons, to merino wool blankets, her brand has evolved over the past 5 years as she’s explored the essence of how we live with color and shape. We came together in her New Harbor studio to talk about the journey. From artistic iteration, building industry partners, and an unexpected design collaborator, she shared how retiring from her first career led to the birth of her brand.
"You know art, you go through phases of productivity and phases of self-doubt and phases of despair and then delusions of grandeur."
Much like the medium he works with, Dave Johansen’s takes tend to be colorful and electric. He swears, he goes on tangents, he’s deadpan and blunt and funny. His work spans 3 studio spaces, and when we did the portraits he asked if I was going to capture the rotisserie chicken sitting on his workbench. He likes pulp sci-fi, he thinks LEDs are disgusting, and he can’t stand neon emblazoned catchphrases. He’s been driving the same van since the early 2000s and is unapologetically “notoriously hard to get a hold of” — in short, he’s Neon Dave.
"Coming from a family of artists, we like designing. I wanted to transform something, but in a different way — like with fashion, with clothes.”
Designer and sewing instructor Apphia Mpay talks about growing up surrounded by Sape fashion in DRC, how custom tailoring has evolved over time, and where the next generation of stitchers are working in Maine.
"I really wanted to explore that impulse of, how do you make everyday clothes feel special.”
Curator Erin Arnold talks about the style and meaning in her vintage brand, Minor Works. We talked big ideas like heritage brands partnering with vintage curators, how her sell-out collections come to life, and her advice for developing personal style.
"It’s really about being in touch with what makes you feel good. For me it’s comfort. But also, have fun with it. Jewelry helps."
Cleo Brengman is the designer and creator of Ladyfine Jewelery, a brand rooted in the handcraft of carving and casting metal for custom wearables. Living in NYC prior to Portland, she has honed the art of being dressed for every occasion, all in one look.
"I was making things out of other things all my life. Before we even knew the word 'upcycled.'"
Designer and owner of Kookooshka Studio, Anastassia Gonye talks about growing up in a family of creators in Moscow, shares the underground reseller culture of the Bins, and explains the dark fairytale energy infusing her designs.
"Style ain’t about what's on you, it’s what's in you."
Louis Pickens is the owner & chef of Black Betty Bistro. He talked with me about the lifelong approach of curating his more-is-more style. More positive vibrations, more flavors, and more closet space.
"Do what makes you happy. Don't dress for them, dress for you."
Known for his signature style piece, The Brooch, longtime PMA Gallery Ambassador Dan Gifford joined me at Blind Tiger Portland to talk about getting dressed.
"The heart wants what the heart wants."
A dive into personal style, where Ryan & Rachel Adams talk about their dress codes changing over time, share their signature style pieces, and explain how comfort yields confidence.
Blind Tiger Hotel is a partner in identifying artists and designers to participate in this series. Their social space is the backdrop for interviewing and photographing each story.
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