by Sage Cigarettes staff | header photo/Fernando Lavin
Artists have style. Whether it’s good or bad, discrete or flashy, meaningful or not, artists have style.
This summer Jay, our Poetry Editor, read What Artists Wear by Charlie Porter and it got him thinking about what our signature artist looks are, like Andy Warhol and Levi’s blue jeans or Hayao Miyazaki’s ink-stained linen apron. What would the Sage team’s signature clothing be? What outfits define our style, our work?
This is the result of that poetry prompt, these are portraits of the Sage Ciggs artists, in our own words, as our clothing.
A portrait of the artist as his clothes
by Jay Rafferty, Sage Cigarettes’ poetry editor
Mid-length, double breasted pigeon grey overcoat.
Faded, brown boots, size 7, three-year-old, heels worn
to an outer-step incline, laces replaced many times over,
scavenged from older, retired shoes. Black socks, mismatched
set, one longer than the other. Plain watch, brown strap, battery
dead. Black jeans greying at the knees, seams, cuffs. Black
faux leather belt, peeling plastic between second and third
eyelet. Moss Green and navy black checked shirt, cotton blend,
tucked into jeans, sleeves rolled to elbow, unbuttoned twice
below the collar, wings buttoned down. Vest, off-white, neck
line stretched, ink marked in several spots, black
and blue.
Portrait of the artist as her clothes
by Stef Nunez, Sage Cigarettes’ EIC
These sunglasses were my first coveted prize, at a high-fashion job I had to spend months convincing myself I deserve to work at. They’re Stella McCartney and before I landed here I couldn’t have told you she designed anything. Blue is my color.
I bought this shirt for a girl I loved dearly. Her friendship meant everything to me, and her spirit was so loud, I had never met anyone like her. That was all a mask, and the skeleton underneath almost broke my heart. So, I kept the shirt and tried to live the motto emblazoned on it – “LIVIN MY BEST LIFE”
The dress is thrifted intentionally, and I was so proud of this find. After typing in “cottagecore” into the Pinterest search engine enough times I was brave enough to venture out to look for pieces. I’ve styled it ten different ways but this is my favorite. Underneath a crop top with crisp white vans and a dainty anklet. Peak Stef Nuñez.
Portrait of the artist as her clothes
by LE Francis, Sage Cigarettes’ managing editor
I picked up the shirt at a show in 2018. My ex made me cringe when he asked the merch guy if the band’s name was sarcastic or authentic. I would have sewn my mouth shut reflexively if it wasn’t for the stranger that stuck himself to my left side & never shut his mouth. He was a violinist, he used to play in an orchestra, the band inspired him to think about it again. My anxiety said if I didn’t talk back he’d grab me by the shoulders & shake me — “Did you hear me, you ice-eyed bitch?”
I cut the collar out of it a year later when I was having a panic attack. The hem pressed too hard against my throat & I started gagging. I walked onto the back porch & inhaled a forest fire as I ripped out my throat. There was something so fucking freeing in the uneven way it fell against my collarbone, hardly keeping the world out as if in acknowledgement that I would be part of it again soon.
I realized that the shorts were too short when I pulled them on over my fishnets in the hotel last month, Stef grinned at me & argued that my ass could be out a little more. I agonized over changing as I put on my makeup. The world is rarely kind to ghosts & I existed in a place between invisibility & already being seen. I felt as if I was materializing as I zipped up my boots & leaned back in the chair, taking a breath before I went down to see him play. & when I took an elbow to the face that night, I took it as a sign from the universe.
A Portrait of the Artist as her clothes
by Mel Sherrer, Sage Cigarettes pop culture editor
I have an eclectic style. You might see Levi jeans and Ariat boots, or board shorts and bikini tops, but my absolute favorite summertime outfits are all about the accent piece: THE SNEAKERS!
All summer long I have been styling casual, comfort outfits around limited release sneakers designed by basketball legend, and Las Vegas Aces forward Candace Parker. In the outfit pictured I’m rocking the Adidas Candace Parker Exhibit B mid sneaker, designed for hooping. I wanted this fit to draw the eye to the shoe so I chose a neutral, non-graphic tee in off-white sand by Champion, the retro white New Era Las Vegas Aces cap, crossbody bag by Jordan, neutral sand crew socks by Nike.
I live in the scorching valley of Las Vegas, so finding ways to mix up light colors and wicking fabrics is a must.
I want people to see my clothes and know that not only am I always ready to play, but also that I am willing to spend money to support women’s sports and incorporate styles designed by women athletes. A popular misconception about women’s sports lovers is that we don’t go to games or buy merchandise to support athletes. I hope folks peep my sneakers or a hat I’m wearing and want to learn more about the women behind the look.
A portrait of the artist as their clothing
by Sadee Bee, Sage Cigarettes’ art editor
I bathe in black and pops of color whenever I choose. I like eclectic style and I enjoy a good skirt or dress because wearing pants sucks. Adult goth, retired emo.
What’s life without getting to look a little cooler than I am sometimes?
Learn more about Sage Cigarettes’ staff via our Masthead.
