The key to iconic dressing is being able to chuck the rules and go with what feels right. Gretchen Gonzales Davidson accomplishes this not only with her personal style but also with her music.
The self-taught guitar player and songwriter got her first guitar in high school and took it with her to Michigan State University, where she earned a degree in anthropology. It was there that she got into her first band, called Universal Indians. 鈥淲e played in basements all over East Lansing,鈥 she recalls.
Since then, she鈥檚 been a founding member of multiple bands, including Slumber Party, Terror at the Opera, and her current band, 鈥 an instrumental trio of veteran musicians creating a fantastical experience of psychedelic sounds.
But it鈥檚 her improv musical projects that she enjoys the most. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really organic,鈥 she says. 鈥淭he people you play with are of the same mindset. We鈥檙e listening a lot. We go in with an idea. We know we want movement. And you give space [to the other musicians].鈥
Gonzales Davidson also works to ensure others have access to the arts. She has a presidential appointment to the , and she was appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2021 to chair the , which according to the organization鈥檚 website 鈥済uides the distribution of resources to ensure that Michigan communities thrive from the civic, economic, and educational benefits of arts and culture.鈥
鈥淚t opened my eyes to appreciating the local arts community,鈥 she says. 鈥淎rt intersects all industries and is vitally important for our communities to thrive.鈥
My personal style 鈥
Literally depends. I love so much, and that鈥檚 the problem. I love vintage. I always love black; I love to get a little goth. I鈥檓 loving flat shoes. When I dress up, I want something special. It depends what the evening calls for. I want to bring fun if I鈥檓 hosting. And I love a good theme. I love supporting smaller stores. I go to [in Detroit] all the time.
My shopping advice is 鈥
You鈥檝e got to know your body. Wear what鈥檚 right for you. When in doubt, cut it up. I鈥檝e cut so many sweaters short. And get black jeans with the right fit.
I started paying attention to fashion 鈥
In middle school. I probably thought I had it down in sixth grade. It鈥檚 a lifelong adventure. You gravitate toward other people you鈥檙e inspired by and push the boundaries a little bit together.
My style influences are 鈥
Lots of friends. And Chlo毛 Sevigny 鈥 the ultimate. She鈥檚 punky, cool, effortless. I鈥檇 say the same thing for Kim Gordon [of Sonic Youth]. She鈥檚 71 and still goes for it.
I love to shop for vintage at 鈥
[in Ferndale]. and [both in Royal Oak].
My favorite item in my closet is 鈥
A little black lace bomber jacket by . I鈥檝e had it for many years. It looks so raggedy, but I鈥檓 never getting rid of it.
On experimenting with colors and prints:
I love power clashing. When in the right mood, I love color.
My favorite place to people-watch for good style 鈥
It was UFO Factory [in Detroit, now reopened as ]. is always a good place. Or a caf茅 at a museum.
This story originally appeared in the November 2024 issue of 黑料网 Detroit magazine. To read more, pick up a copy of 黑料网 Detroit at a local retail outlet. Our will be available on Nov. 6.
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