Psychic Outlaw
photography + film by Shelby Rahe | modeling by Hannah Thurston + Rebecca Wright | handmade accessories by Ida & Moon | handmade clothing + styling by Rebecca Wright
Rebecca Wright
It takes just one glance at a Psychic Outlaw piece to become immediately drawn in like a moth to a flame. From kaleidoscopic chore coats made of quilts to maxi dresses made of paisley-adorned bandanas, Texas’ very own Rebecca Wright is like a groovy magician, adroit at threading colorful vintage fabrics of yore into wearable masterpieces that have begun anew right before your eyes.
Where are you from?
All over Texas
Why the name ‘Psychic Outlaw’ and where did it come from?
I started out using the name to sell vintage online and it was a twist from one of my favorite vintage labels I ever found "Psycho Blue Outlaw." It felt well suited as I moved into handmade because my aesthetic has always been a little bit mystical trippy cowboy vibes.
How do you source materials for your designs?
THRIFT 4 LIFE
When did you become serious about your craft of handmade clothing? Specifically with vintage and antique textiles.
A little over a year ago is when I started making clothing for other people instead of just for myself. Working as a seamstress for clothing brands helped me get a hold of production sewing and really understand what it takes to build a brand.
You’ve touted yourself as an “unconventional materials” master of sorts after crushing that Nickelodeon jacket. What’s the craziest source material you were provided with?
That sleeping bag was a doozy! Definitely one of the toughest materials to date because of the layers of stuffing and the slippery stretchy fabric.
Your pieces are so eclectic. It seems like you view your materials and patterns through a 70s Midwestern psychedelic lens. What are you inspired by and how would you define your style?
Most of my inspiration comes from favorite vintage pieces from my own closet and also Japanese designers that love to give their spin on Americana. I feel like if I love it and wear it everyday there has got to be something to that as far as what other people would enjoy. My style is campy/ no rules/ modest/ funny/ adaptable. I enjoy the randomness of scrap quilts and patchwork because that is how I view my style, creating something by being random and using what you have creates total uniqueness.
photography + film by Shelby Rahe | modeling by Hannah Thurston + Rebecca Wright | handmade accessories by Ida & Moon | handmade clothing + styling by Rebecca Wright
photography + film by Shelby Rahe | modeling by Chelsea Boswell & Hannah Thurston | handmade jewelry by Ida & Moon | llamas + hospitality + hair by Emily Hempstead| handmade clothing + styling by Rebecca Wright
modeling by Allyssa Golden & Felix Lenz | photography & makeup by Jackson Montgomery Schwartz | handmade clothing & styling by Rebecca Wright
When we came across your work, our first thought (and first words to you) was how each piece is just beaming with it's own story. Which one of your pieces has your favorite backstory?
I get a lot of beautiful stories behind the Supply Your Own Quilt submissions. Lots of family heirlooms. Have not gotten to make this one yet- but someone sent me her late fathers quilt along with his bandanas to patch and mend the quilt. I am excited to weave this together and preserve something that is so sentimental for her.
How do you determine what type of garment you are going to create from the pieces you find?
Well right now I have two set designs, bandanas for dresses and quilts for jackets! I have boxes and boxes of vintage textiles, towels, sheets and doilies just ready for when I get enough time to make some more one-offs! When I do have time for this type of creativity I usually use a vintage pattern that I have, that I have not used yet just to make! I learn tons of techniques from these old patterns so it is kind of like a fun puzzle for me to read an put together!
photography + film by Shelby Rahe | modeling by Chelsea Boswell & Hannah Thurston | handmade jewelry by Ida & Moon | llamas + hospitality + hair by Emily Hempstead| handmade clothing + styling by Rebecca Wright
“If you feel the desire to make and create and it is pouring out of you- why would you not do that and share it with people?”
southwest matchmaker stakes horse racing blanket jacket handmade clothing by Rebecca Wright
It must be cathartic to breathe new life into these aged fabrics and motifs. Have you ever gotten so emotionally attached to a particular piece that you couldn’t let it go? And if so, can you share the story behind it?
Yes!! I found a "crazy quilt" (yes that is really what they are called! ha) and made it into a jacket that I just couldn't bare to let go of! These are my favorite types of quilts because they are the most random and colorful it’s like looking at confetti! And then when you get closer they are not only made of thousands of different pieced together scraps but the patchwork is all heavily and randomly hand embroidered with design borders and animals and names.
Which of your designs is your favorite? (We love the Southwest Matchmaker Stakes horse racing blanket jacket.)
Oh I cannot choose. But besides the Crazy Quilts, my other two favorite quilts to get and use are the Log Cabin Quilts and the Texas Star Quilts.
Name 3 Things you're listening to at the moment.
Were you always into fashion? If so, who are some of your favorite designers?
Yes. Clothing has always been my favorite way to express myself and feel special. Fave designers: Missoni, Bode- Issey Miyake and lots of other Japanese labels like Wacko Maria, visvim, Needles and Kapital.
What is your favorite type of textile to work with?
The quilts because they always surprise me!
If you could be stuck in one decade, which would it be?
Right now is fine or maybe the future will be better?
If your clothing became the official cast wardrobe for a film, what would the title of the film be?
Ghost Town Make-Over on HGTV
What’s the best piece of advice anyone has given you?
Do what you want to do even if you feel like a million other people are doing it- if your idea is your own idea it will translate as original. If you feel the desire to make and create and it is pouring out of you- why would you not do that and share it with people? That is my own advice to myself to keep going.
modeling by Sydni Adams | photography by Tyler Cogburn | handmade clothing + styling by Rebecca Wright