Vaquera Is Shaking up the Fashion World

Vaquera, a fashion brand for which the terms progressive, avant-garde, and new, fail to do it justice—has been the focus of a lengthy New York Times profile called “The Graduates."

The current members of Vaquera are Patric DiCaprio, Bryn Taubensee, and SAIC alum Claire Sullivan (BFA 2016). The brand, now infamous for crafting a life-size Tiffany jewelry bag and hanging the ties around the model, leaving her backside open to the air. As Matthew Schneier wrote, Vaquera is “an exercise in cheerful provocation, equal parts Dada and D.I.Y.” The fashion industry, the art world, and pop culture have taken notice. Vogue named it a finalist for its Fashion Fund award, singer Lorde bought its pieces for her performances, Christina Aguilera commissioned a look for her tour, and MoMA PS1 invited Vaquera to collaborate on an event next spring. 

While the brand is still seeking to stabilize their extraordinary level of creativity with monetary success in the industry, Vaquera is thrilled by their unclear horizon. “There really is no way to know with us. I feel like the unexpected is what makes us more excited anyways,” said Sullivan.