Inspired By A Trip To Texas—Marfa Stance Marries Style And Substance

Founded by Georgia Dant in 2019, Marfa Stance offers a range of functional, sustainable outerwear that can be combined and adapted as the seasons change.

What’s the story behind the name, Marfa Stance? Marfa represents the soul and creative spirit of the brand. The name symbolises creativity, community and an aesthetic vision of simplicity but with an inventive magic to it. It was inspired by a trip to Marfa in Texas to visit Donald Judd’s work and home. Stance represents our values and the social and environmental responsibility that is always a subtext and an internal compass for the brand.

You saw a gap in the market to create a brand with sustainable values—tell me a little about your journey to become interested in sustainability? Why was that important to you? I was tired of the churn of collection after collection (driven by sales figures instead of customer needs). There was nothing that considered the customer’s lifestyle. Moreover, in womenswear, the lack of unique products with style but that are are also functional was non existent. So I decided to create that product and start a brand. We have a vision for a responsible, renewable product line for the conscious consumer. We want our customers to create, update and renew their pieces rather than replace them. Our reversible designs combined with our buildable accessories offer endless possibilities.

How did you come up with the “build your own” outerwear concept? I was travelling transatlantically constantly in 2017 and 2018, and I was trying to problem solve how to make one adaptable garment. I used to wear an old men’s military quilt as it was light weight and cosy, so I started imaging how this could work. I thought about my needs—I’d get on a plane in New York when it was hot and sunny and get off the plane in the U.K. where it was cold and rainy. I thought about my childhood playing with Lego and the idea of piecing together components. And it all came together.

How did your time at Rag & Bone and at Burberry working under Christopher Bailey influence your designs? I think particularly at Burberry the emphasis on heritage and function really resonated with me. The focus was on pushing forward the tradition of a trench coat into a modern age, made in the most luxurious and respectful way. I like the challenge of making an old idea relevant and new. At Rag & Bone it was the opposite, it was more about an entrepreneurial spirit.

What does it mean tangibly for the brand to be ethically designed? Our sourcing strategy consists of family run, artisanal, small batch production factories exclusively in Italy. Working conditions and pay is the highest in the world. This is why we manufacture in Italy, in addition to the highest level of quality. We do not go on sale and we produce our collections using either surplus materials from our own past productions, or local dead stock found at factories or mills, or stock materials.We operate a zero waste business as a result. Finally, we have a strong stance on social responsibility and donate to local organisations after each of our pop ups, in addition to permanent partnerships around the world.

What does no one ever tell you about running a small business? Every journey is so different so no one can tell you everything. But in my experience, no one tells you just how much it will change your life in every possible way.

Your pieces are SO perfect for the modern traveller (and I read you came up with the idea for the brand while travelling internationally)—tell me a bit about your travel habits: what is always in your suitcase? I always pack as efficiently as possible and take only hand luggage. I always take a transeasonal and light weight reversible Marfa Stance outerwear piece (usually a parachute parka or bomber) with an array of colourful and graphic buildable accessories, so that one jacket can be adapted in at least 5-10 different ways. I also pack lightweight and neutral layers—a pair of Marfa Stance Utility trousers, usually a skirt, a pair of jeans, and a bathing suit. Always a sneaker and a pair of heels. Everything needs to work together, so a few pieces can provide many different outfits.

Where is your favourite place to visit? Greece. It is my sanctuary.

Where is on your bucket list? I love travelling around the USA, since each state is so different from the next, in terms of climate, culture, cuisine, and geography. Next on my bucket list is to travel to Santa Fe, I’ve never been and would love to visit Georgia O’Keefe’s home. I have heard incredible things about Santa Fe’s creative and artistic soul.