Vaquera

After wearing private school uniforms for 14 years, stylist-turned-designer Patric DiCaprio of Vaquera knows the amount of controversy a single outfit can cause. “We’d have an out-of-uniform day once every two months and I would spend all my time planning what I could wear that would freak people out the most,” he remembers. “I realised then the power that unique clothing could have over people.”

Since graduating with a degree in photography, moving to New York and teaching himself to sew via YouTube cosplay tutorials, the southern boy from Alabama found himself working within a community of some of New York’s leading tastemakers, including the founders of DIS Magazine and stylist Avena Gallagher. “I learned more working with them than I did in my entire college career. They were interested in doing the seemingly impossible – like starting a clothing brand when you’re broke and can’t sew – and that is interesting work.” 

For SS16, DiCaprio showed at the Church of the Ascension in Greenwich Village. Attendees watched from dark wooden pews, observing clothes that mixed ren-fair romanticism, coquettish drama and a costume club’s love of puffy sleeves, voluminous bloomers and ruffled shirts. In a finale suited to the surroundings, the last look saw DiCaprio’s boyfriend Tyler Sayles walk the aisle in a bridal gown.

Now, Vaquera has two new names on board – David Moses, formerly of Moses Gauntlett Cheng, and visual artist Bryn Taubensee. February will see the trio debut their first work together at New York Fashion Week – so stay tuned.

Text Veronica So