Marfa Muse

Joan + Ally King

In honour of our fifth birthday month, we are celebrating the earliest supporters in our Marfa Stance community. Meet our latest mother, daughter muse duo Joan + Ally King.

In this series, our muses look back on their first ever Marfa Stance pieces and how they’ve updated and renewed them over the last five years. Ally wears her original Colourblock Quilt in Slate / Anthracite and Black in size XS with the Shearling Collar in Fuchsia and Joan wears her first Cropped Quilt in Black/Anthracite in size XXS with the Faux Fur Collar and Knitted Hood in Black.

For their second look, the pair chose to wear their more recent pieces from our Amber capsule, launched in The Hamptons last Summer. Ally wears the Parachute Vest in Olive and Granite / Reverse: Amber in size XS choosing the Faux Fur Collar in Black, reversing and updating with her Knitted Hood in Grey/Olive. Joan wears the Parachute Bomber in Amber/Olive in size XXS-XS with the Intarsia Aviator Collar in Black, reversing and updating hers with the Zip Hood in Amber.

Tell us about your background and talk us through your career journeys.

Ally: I am an attorney. I practiced pharmaceutical patent litigation at a law firm in NYC, while also doing pro bono legal work with a non-profit representing survivors of domestic violence. My next act is yet to be determined, but my heart lies in continuing to do legal work advocating for gender equality.

Joan: My career spanned 30 years in the financial services industry primarily focused on the Private Wealth Management area before retiring a few years ago.I’m now loving retirement - my husband and I enjoy traveling, staying active, enjoying friends and family.

What are you both most proud of?

Ally: I’m most proud of my family, I have three beautiful children and a wonderful husband. They bring me all the joy.

Joan: My three children, and their families, including 8 grandchildren, I deem my greatest achieving achievement.

You’ve both been supporters of Marfa Stance from the very early days. Do you remember how you first learnt about Marfa Stance and why do you like our brand?

Ally: I saw an ad on Instagram for Marfa Stance and it was love at first sight. Shortly thereafter, my mom bought me my first coat for my 40th birthday, it was one of the original signature quilt jackets. Georgia has an amazing vision for not only designing beautiful outerwear but also allowing the wearer to bring their own vision to life by adding buildable accessories that fit their unique style.

Joan: My daughter introduced me to Marfa Stance 5 years ago when we attended a “pop up” in Tribeca, NY (I believe their first in the US). It was instant love - the message, the style, the versatility, the uniqueness, and the WOMEN just captured us. My first purchase was the black/anthracite shearling quilted jacket with shearling hood which is by far the warmest while still being elegant coat I own.

I now own 4 coats, two hoods, 5 collars and have just ordered a vest ! My husband has the Shareable Quilt with two collars that he deems “the best coat I’ve ever owned.” The reversibility and “buildability” make it unique, versatile and fun. We all just travelled to Paris and wore our “Marfa’s” every day. Compliments are endless!

How do you style your Marfa Stance pieces and what is your favourite combination?

Ally: I now have the signature quilt jacket, two parachute bombers, one parachute vest and a parachute parka. Because I also have many collars and hoods I feel like I have endless combinations and could style my coats with any outfit. It’s hard to choose a favorite but I love my parachute bombers, they can easily transition from a more casual look with a knitted hood to more dressy with a shearling or faux fur collar.

Joan: I don’t have a “favorite“ per se but do love the bronze color of my parachute bomber which I pair casually with a shearling collar and dress it up with the black faux fur collar . The Zip Hood is a great piece for it too.

How have you updated and renewed your first ever Marfa Stance pieces? Do you ever share your styles or buildable accessories with each other?

Ally: My mom and I have swapped coats and shared collars over the years, which makes it all that much more fun!

Joan: Ally and I have traded collars and coats when the need arises. We tend to love the same pieces but may vary colors so we can do that. Ally’s truly my fashion inspiration!

We continue to visit Marfa trunk shows from NYC to the Hamptons - love seeing the new designs and visiting with the MS crew! Just when we think we have it all, Georgia and her team tantalize us with another creation!

How will you celebrate Mother’s Day together?

Joan: We are looking forward to hosting a table on behalf of Marfa Stance at the Every Mother Counts luncheon.

Ally: We’ll definitely share a glass of champagne. She’s my true inspiration on how to be chic and timeless, always.

Photographer: Jenny Gorman