Winter 2016 , Joshua Tree, CA
Since 2015, Juniper Ridge created a staple event, with their annual Desert & Denim fair: a gathering for craftsmen and makers. As their main media team in 2016, we were tasked with telling the Desert & Denim story through the eyes of the vendors and purveyors. We produced photography and a short recap film which was distributed to vendors and press outlets, including images that were published by Gestalten in two hardcover books: Wildside and Blue Blooded.
The Mojave Sands Motel in Joshua Tree, CA
Every year, the fair brings together craftsmen and craftswomen from around the world to descend on Joshua Tree to celebrate textiles, craft goods, and raw denim.
By day, vendors meet with independent stores from around the world, hang with fellow brand owners and craftspeople, and get the chance to talk one-on-one with purveyors of the industry.
At the heart, every craftsmen's toolkit is a message of passion, and what better way to share that message than to corral like-minded folks together.
Juniper Ridge and Indigofera Jeans hoisted the freak flag high in Joshua Tree and Desert & Denim was born in 2015. The Mojave has never been the same.
At night, the conversations continue around campfires and desert honky-tonks. Spirits are emboldened and creative fires stoked.
The gentlemen from Iron & Resin from Ventura, CA were on site creating custom embroidered bandanas.
Juniper Ridge demonstrated fragrance distillation techniques using an old whiskey still.
James Tucker from the Aesthetic Union and Smith Blake Darby collaborating on a raw denim print made with a Heidelberger Druckmaschinen printing press.
Cody Montgomery from Totally Blown leading a workshop using shotguns to distress clothing.
Behind the scenes of our interview with Desert & Denim founders, Hall Newbegin (Juniper Ridge) and Mats Andersson (Indigofera).
What would Denim & Desert be without music and dancing?