Exploring Indigo Landscapes in Joshua Tree National Park

In early February I found myself in Oregon with no plans. I had made the cross country trip with plans to spend a week visiting some of the region’s lesser known ski hills, ride powder, and generally enjoy a break from making internet. Unfortunately, what they call a Pineapple Express had other plans, delivering degrees in the mid 50s and ample amounts of rain in the mountains. So, I did the opposite, and with a day to spare bought a flight down to Joshua Tree for Desert & Denim.

Founded by the folks at Juniper Ridge, Desert & Denim is, by definition, an American men’s fashion trade show. But it's more of a renegade, lifestyle trade show, or even an anti-trade show. Desert & Denim is simply an excuse for a few dozen likeminded creative types known for hand making high quality leather, denim, and cotton wares to come together in the California desert for a few days of communal fun.

So yeah, I went. And tbh this photo essay would be a lot more interesting if I had planned a lot of things better and didn’t miss the bus to the campsite on night one (I pitched a tent in a random backyard in town instead). But hey, you get what you get when you’re in the desert and people are consuming lots of this and that and nothing but having a good time is on everyone's minds.

Nevertheless, it was a blast. We indigo dyed some Jungmaven stuffs with Apprvl, ate some tasty tacos, spit some dirt, and in the end I even hitch hiked back to Palm Springs to catch my flight home the final day—despite being repeatedly warned that Californians were notoriously weary of hitch hikers. So there you have it. Get out there and stick your thumb out, you guys.