The Mission’s style is found beyond the park, so we decided to follow it wherever it may go in the neighborhood. The common thread of this week’s looks is a continued dedication to thrifted and vintage clothes, a mix of young and old styles, and pieces culled from all over the place, including local brands/stores (yes!).
Sonali Martinez-Najera Berkeley
Vibe: We walked by Sonali on 24th and had to stop her. The rose in her hair, retro-beauty look and colorful shirt made her look like she stepped out of one of the murals.
How would you describe your outfit today? Trans-fuckery.
Katja Golde
Vibe: Sitting alone in the park, Katja grabbed our attention with her bold ‘90s rock-babydoll look. Upon further inspection, we were captivated by all the red accessories she sported, including a red scrunchie, lighter and portable speaker.
Brands: Thrifted jacket, t-shirt sent to her by Synagogue brand, Brandy Melville skirt, necklace sent to her from Japan, Amazon boots, Fjällräven Kånken backpack.
Name a celebrity that you model your look after: Hmm, celebrity? Who I think is doing something really cool right now? I don’t know if there’s really a celebrity, there’s just brands that I get, like, a lot of inspo from. Like Unif, and then, if you look at old Delia’s catalogs, that what I do when I go thrifting and stuff.
Benita Pungwe
Vibe: Benita was sitting outside of Tartine when we saw her and, of course, we had to document her look. It was classic and timeless, but the acid-wash jacket and vibrant African head-wrap added the perfect amount of unique interest and color. From the African head-wrap to the Swedish skirt, French sandals and bag, and German glasses, Benita’s ensemble was “so international.”
Brands: Head-wrap from “Afro shop,” thrifted jacket, H&M top, Monki skirt, sandals from French boutique, Longchamp tote, Fielmann glasses.
Who do you look to for inspiration when you’re putting together your outfits? Um, my fashion inspiration, I would say, is Solange Knowles, the singer. Like, I would say she’s my number one, and besides that, it’s several bloggers on Instagram.
Cantwell Muckenfuss
Vibe: I was literally complaining that everyone was wearing the same, boring thing when Cantwell walked by. It was fashion salvation! His look was so different and fun, truly a breath of fresh air. It was also really nice that he mentioned he has read Mission Style before.
Brands: Nu Works t-shirt, jumpsuit from Oak + Fort boutique, thrifted finds.
You had mentioned that you love entertaining with style. Can you delve a little into that and how you put together your looks every day? Yeah. I like fashion to be fun and whimsical, but also a little radical. So, I love to mix the masculine and feminine aspects of style and fashion, and blend them together. I love pastels right now, but also mixing kind of fun, youthful looks with sort of older styles. Kind of like a “young grandpa” look.
Alexia Gonzales
Vibe: Alexia’s look was menswear-inspired done right: masculine pieces with feminine proportions and some fun peace-sign earrings as a finishing touch.
Brands: Thrifted clothes, Vans shoes, earrings from Piedmont Boutique on Haight.
What was your inspiration for your look today? Um, honestly I don’t know (laughs). My style changes a lot. Like, I call this, like, a grandpa style. I don’t know, just comfy clothing. I like loose pants.
Nattakorn Karnjanahirunwong
Vibe: It was no surprise that Nattakorn was a photographer — his look was put together with the precision that visual artists possess. He admitted that, as he has just graduated in fashion photography, he is dressing in a more stylish way in order to present himself as part of this world. He gets a sartorial thumbs-up in this throwback safari-esque look, complete with sloth-print shirt.
Brands: Paul Smith shirt, H&M pants, Doc Martin boots, MOSCOT sunglasses, hat from Alameda Point Antiques Faire, earrings from Thailand.
What do you think the main difference is between fashion in Thailand and here in California? Well, that could be a cultural context, because the way that we think in Thailand, we appreciate brand names. Like, they actually got Louis Vuitton or Gucci, you know. Everything is brand-name. But here, it’s like more into what you want to be, and we don’t really feel shy being yourself here. You just do whatever you want.
Janely Rivera
Vibe: Janely was the ‘90s-sitcom girl-next-door in her jean jacket, sunny dress and half-ponytail. The Adidas shoes and female-sign necklace balanced the sweet look by adding a touch of street and girl power.
Brands: Levi’s jacket, vintage ‘80s All That Jazz brand dress, H&M necklace, Adidas sneakers.
Describe your style in three words: Versatile. Open. Diverse.
