023: SURPRISE!!! We Have Guest Writer
Art, Fashion, Friendship. OH MY!
Bet you didn’t see this one coming!! It’s FriYAY and we have a very special guest. Today, newsletter 23 is brought to you by a guest writer who is also a reader. Sarah Brandhorst, art major and fashion enthusiast, is here to share her inspiration and light with you all. Enjoy!
CM/AB: Where are you from? Where do you live? Who are you?
SB: Hiiiiii My name is Sarah Brandhorst (still feels weird to write out after just getting married last month), I am 28 years old and live outside of Bozeman, Montana where I was also born and raised babbayyyy (always feels like a brag because everyone and their dog wants to move here). I am recently married to my best friend Jordan a.k.a JT and/or TJ the DJ, and am Mom to a sassy 4 year old girl named Penelope a.k.a Nelson or Baby P.
I have been best friends with the beautiful Alyssa Bitterman since we were 6 years old — Over 20 years ago now! (sheeesssh) — and I am so excited she asked me to join in this week! I have enjoyed this endeavor of hers immensely. Alyssa has always been a leading force in my life, my family and of course my fashion journey. She has truly been serving me looks since the first grade. Love you sister! (As her mother would say).
AB: Love ya Sar! Seriously though Sarah was the first person I thought of when thinking of guest writers. She understands art to its depths and is so incredibly smart. She is the epitome of living and leading a creative life. Whether it is her home decor (which includes a great selection of art on the walls), to how she cooks (flavor town btw), and of course how she dresses.
CM/AB: What do you do? What do you consider your greatest achievement, career-wise (so far!)
SB: In 2019 I graduated from Montana State University with my degree in Art History and Museum Studies. During this time I got to study across many areas within the visual arts and even got to live out my dreams in Italy during a semester abroad. I ended up specializing in 15th century Italian female portraiture and its relationship to contemporary art, specifically the painter Kehinde Wiley (super specific but so much fun). Since then I have taken on many projects. I started my own business supporting local artists in cataloging, organizing and installing all kinds of different artworks, and in 2020 I also began operating as the Gallatin Valley Farmers’ Market Manager which has been my full-time job since January 2023. I am in my fourth year as the Manager of the farmers’ market and it has been such a rewarding and fulfilling experience.
CM/AB: What led you to this job/title/place in life?
SB: Now, I know you may be thinking… farmers’ market? Pretty random..and I totally agree! It was super random, but some (including myself) would say it was fate, because this job has truly become the most rewarding project I have been a part of! At our market, we support all kinds of people from farmers, growers, bakers, artisans, crafters and everyone in between. Although their talents and products may all be different, they are all art in their own way. Art comes in so many incredible forms, but what every type of art has in common is a passionate human behind the scenes, and that’s what I love the most. (Follow us on IG GallatinValleyFarmersMarket ;)
CM/AB: Does fashion or clothing play a role in your life? What does that role mean to you?
SB: I have always adored expressing myself through clothing and fashion. Thanks in part to having a best friend who is fiercely passionate about the industry and a mother who loves shopping. There are many, many things that I can’t control in my life, but I’ll be damned if I choose to go out wearing something that doesn’t make me feel 100% my authentic self. I can always make sure that my outward appearance expresses my inward feelings, no matter what they are, and that is important.
AB: Amen
CM/AB: What is your idea of a perfect outfit?
SB: My idea of a perfect outfit starts with comfort. I’m a mom, so I at least need to be able to chase after a very fast toddler. Usually, my perfect outfit also always includes at least one of my “favorites.” A favorite pair of denim, a favorite sweatshirt, a favorite vest, a favorite hat.. You get the picture. I have a handful of items that I adore, and incorporating at least one of them into every outfit makes the outfit authentic to me. Oh! But I am also such a sucker for a matching suit, a two piece or monochromatic moment. It always makes me feel put together on days where I am maybe not feeling so put together inside.
CM/AB: When were you happiest with your own look?
SB: I actually would have to say that I am most happy with my own look currently. I have really adapted into a classic style of my own that no longer causes me stress when getting ready for that last minute decision to hit the town. I think this is where I have to mention that skincare and makeup routine play so heavily into this. For the last few years I have really dedicated myself to self-care. I get my nails done consistently and I have found a makeup line and a skincare routine that I love. Feeling good outside of your clothes is important too, and when you finally feel confident, dressing up the outside is even more enjoyable!
AB: Chef’s kiss! I will be hitting you up later for that skincare routine.
CM/AB: What, in hindsight, is the worst outfit you ever worn?
SB: This question made me laugh out loud because the first outfit that popped into my head was one I wore my Junior year in highschool. I remember it like it was yesterday. A long-sleeve, striped, crop top shirt, with jean shorts, paired with thigh high maroon leggings, calf high faux leather brown boots and a slouched maroon beanie. TOO MUCH MAROON!...brb crying… Like I mentioned before, I am always a sucker for a monochromatic moment, but in that moment, I took it too far…. too far lol
CM/AB: What is your current state of mind with regards to the fashion industry?
SB: It has been really refreshing to see movie premieres, award shows and fashion week come alive again. I don’t know if it was just me, but I finally felt like there was a revival in the industry last year with everyone finally trying to overcome the trauma of Covid. When did I notice it most? Well, with the Barbie movie of course! Watching the press tour for Barbie was such a delight. That whole cast really put an emphasis on making fashion a staple of the premiere. Same goes for the press release for Dune. It was just so refreshing to finally see the industry come back into the public eye and get everyone excited again.
CM/AB: Which fashion trend do you most despise?
SB: I am a thrifty b****. I can confidently say that over 85 percent of my wardrobe is thrifted or secondhand. I LIVE for the hunt of finding quality pieces amid the rubble - and I have to admit, I am pretty good at it. So, with that being said, I DESPISE fast fashion. I live for a $5 goodwill score, or a $50 quality t-shirt made from sustainable materials in the USA… shrug but catch me dead ordering something from Fashion Nova or Shein.. And to be honest, it’s all love, but we just can’t be friends if you disagree..
CM/AB: If you could change one thing about your wardrobe, what would it be?
SB: If I could change one thing about my wardrobe, it would be to have more “stand alone” pieces. Given that I live in Montana and have to wear nearly 100 layers for almost 8 months of the year, I get sad when summer comes around and I don’t have enough stand alone blouses that look good with a pair of jeans or shorts.. Ya feel me? I am a master at the layer game, but in the moments when it’s too warm to layer or I really don’t want to, I don’t feel quite complete. My goal this summer is to thrift for a handful of great blouses and shirts that I can feel confident in without the extra layers.
AB: This is actually a great point. Stand alone pieces are those specific pieces to us and require deeper digging (inside and outside ourselves) to find.
CM/AB: If you were to die and come back as a fashion item, what would it be?
SB: Ooooo ya know, this is a fun question and I am going to go with my gut here and say a silk scarf… Yep, you heard right. A silk scarf. They are so versatile and can completely change the whole look of an outfit in a minute. Wear it on your head, around your neck, tied on your jeans, you name it, it usually works. I am on the hunt for some more quality silk scarves this summer, so hit a girl up with your silk scarf secrets!
CM/AB: Where on earth do you get the most style inspiration?
SB: I am super lucky to be surrounded by a bunch of bad ass women (and humans in general) that really inspire me daily. The farmers’ market is a PRIME place to find any and all inspiration. (Just ask Alyssa, she made a whole look-book dedicated to fits at the market). But read below for some of my online inspiration right now.
CM/AB: What is your most repeated outfit?
SB: In winter time (which is almost all the time in MT) my most repeated outfit is my favorite pair of denim, a turtle neck, a hoodie and my north face vest. Always with the calf high knit socks and a pair of my midi north face puffer boots. Throw on a beanie or a ball cap depending on the sun and there you have it. Layered to perfection.
In the summer time, its always going to be a pair of my favorite ripped jeans, a band tea and or a funky button up, and a pair of stand out sandals with hair slicked back. Ready for any activities, all the time.
CM/AB: Which historical figure’s style do you most identify with?
SB: Yayoi Kusama all the way. If you know me, you know I have a staple pair of polka dot black and white Tory Burch sneakers. I channel my inner Yoko every time I put them on. <3
CM/AB: Which individual that you know (or have known) personally most influenced your style?
SB: ALYSSA BITTERMAN BABYYY.. No lie! This girl taught me how to thrift BEFORE thrifting was ever cool. She really taught me all the ways.
AB: BRB blushing so hard.
Deep Cuts
SB: I am going to divide this into a few lists of inspirations currently:
Instagram Influencers who I am currently loving:
Also LOVING Katie Holmes <3
I am currently loving what I think we are calling “genderless dress.” New York is calling my name right now. I am so into the layers, the baggy, the multiple tones and hues of a single color, the too much and the overdoing. I just…sigh. Obsessed.
Visual Artists I am loving:
Yosigo, Untitled
Yosigo, Khari Turner, Kazland
AB: Thank you Sarah for inspiring us all and sharing your creativity! So refreshing! Join next week for our regular scheduled programming. Happy SPRING!
CM: Sarah!!! You’re a dream girl and we are completely obsessed with you.