This story is from Texas Monthly’s archives. We have left it as it was originally published, without updating, to maintain a clear historical record. Read more here about our archive digitization project.

Dallas photographer Geof Kern traveled three thousand miles across Texas, inviting ordinary people to model extraordinary clothes—those usually found only on the runways of the most exclusive designers in the world. If some of his models were suspicious at first, most were happy to oblige. The auto mechanic in Port Arthur, the Dallas mother on her way to buy groceries, the retired fisherman in Port Aransas—all taught Kern a lesson he hadn’t anticipated: Even without the help of makeup artists and hairdressers, a different kind of beauty shines through.

Greg Fuller
Student, Corpus Christi

Celadon-colored linen button-down shirt ($295), celadon-colored silk-and-linen trousers ($575) and jacket ($1,095), by Claude Montana
Photograph by Geof Kern
Israel Maldonado
Tattoo Artist, Dallas

White cotton tuxedo shirt ($215) and black shawl-collar tuxedo ($895), by Giorgio armani; cowhide cummerbund ($95) and bow tie ($65), by Moo!
Photograph by Geof Kern
William F. Baker
Retired Fisherman, Port Aransas

White cotton shirt ($170), natural-color pleated linen trousers ($220), navy-blue linen jacket ($630), by Shamask
Photograph by Geof Kern
Angela Zachery
Mother, Dallas

Black top with plaid buttons and collar ($116) and black capri pants ($52), by Randolph Duke
Photograph by Geof Kern
Toan Pham
Automotive Mechanic, Port Arthur

One-piece “vested” jumpsuit, in green and black gabardine ($220), by Tracy Feith
Photograph by Geof Kern
Helen Wright
Manicurist, Midland

Silver lamé shirt ($72) and pants ($110), by Stephen Sprouse
Photograph by Geof Kern
Chandra Hoyen
Student, Hondo

Black structured jacket ($200) and black knit miniskirt ($110) with yellow ribbon detail, by Randolph Duke
Photograph by Geof Kern
Gilbert Van Ness
Carnival Worker, Dallas

Eggshell silk shirt ($195) and gray silk paisley jacket ($1,090), by Perry Ellis
Photograph by Geof Kern

Styling By Paula Elins; Clothing Courtesy of The Gazebo, House Of Feith, Stanley Korshak, Tie-Coon Trading Company (Dallas), Tootsies (Houston).