At most music festivals, drug fueled audiences wear revealing outfits, eccentric hairdos and body odor — Rock the Garden was an exception.
The audience was comfortable in their conformity, and they weren’t going to apologize to anybody for it. Walking through the crowd, you got the impression most attendees went to art school and now were brand illustrators for local breweries.
Not even the occasional culturally appropriated outfit could be found. The average ensemble ranged from 3M company picnic to advertising school classroom.
However, a few chose to step beyond the Walker dress code. From purple clad Prince tribute to death metal in the daytime, here are the festival’s best.
Mahle Roth, 26
Server at Crave
What she wore: Forever 21 overalls, Forever 21 floral shirt and Forever 21 sunglasses.
Don’t be fooled by Roth’s penchant for Forever 21 — she’s a rocker at heart.
“I’m in a metal band, so I usually wear black,” Roth explained, apologizing for her lack of variety in brands. “I try to wear something brighter outside.”
Although Roth’s heavy metal heart was ashamed of the bright colors, she still managed to be more interesting than the rest, and her overalls were a brave move in the heat.
Gigi Berry, ageless
Pin-maker
What she wore: Vikings jersey with Prince’s “Love Symbol,” Gold Puma Sky High Tops, heart shaped sunglasses and hair done by the Beauty Lounge.
Berry seemed to be a walking shadow of Prince. When asked how old she was, she would only answer, “ageless.” When asked what her occupation was, she said, “I live” (Her friend said she was a pin maker).
Every piece of Berry’s outfit was as mystic as her personality. Her jersey was long enough to make you wonder if she was wearing pants, and her purple hair punctuated her devotion to Prince with an exclamation mark. It was clear Berry was at the festival to see The Revolution, and no one else.
Edward Shaw, 17
Student at Highland Park High School
What he wore: Thrift store denim shirt and shorts, Vans shoes.
Perhaps Shaw is still too young to be molded into a mild mannered Walker clone — only time will tell.
At the festival, his style was subtle yet complex. His shoes added just enough of an accent to give his denim ensemble some much-welcome flair.
When asked what he was going for with his outfit choice, Shaw didn’t have many words, aside from thinking his shoes were “dope.”
Goldy Gopher, 77
University of Minnesota mascot/pirate
What he wore: Custom-made pirate vest, pirate hat.
Goldy Gopher was also present at Rock the Garden, braving the heat in his fur and a hipster-dad getup. That apparently wasn’t hot enough, because later in the festival he donned full pirate gear.
Goldy had to hand stitch his red and gold full-length pirate jacket — in another life he would have made a fine tailor.