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DESERT PAINTBRUSH
Together with her sisters Amy, Anna, and Rachel, model Ruth Deng (second from left), a Dallas native, forms a rainbow of ruffled Rodarte dresses (rodarte.com for requests) against the multicolored rock formations of the Texas badlands. Fashion Editor: Carlos Nazario.Photographed by Tyler Mitchell. Vogue, Summer 2026.
We set off across Texas on a sprawling mission: to document and pay tribute to the state’s dancers, ranchers, cowboys and rodeo riders, designers, church choirs, marching bands, and models—in short, the communities and characters rewriting the American narrative.
CLOSE ENCOUNTERS
Amy, Anna, Ruth, and Rachel with their younger sister, Sarah Grace.
The Dengs’ mother, Rebecca Alier (second from right, in Christian Siriano; christiansiriano.com for requests), came with their father to the US as refugees from the Sudan civil war. Here she parts the Rio Grande with her daughters. Rachel (second from left) wears Gabriela Hearst; gabrielahearst.com.
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ROCK STEADY
At Big Bend National Park, in a region where the plans to erect a much-contested border wall made headlines this year, Rachel and Ruth stay close in Diotima crochets and ruffles; diotima.world for similar styles.
WADING GAME
Ruth (front) keeps the hem of her gauzy Collina Strada dress (collinastrada.com) from meeting the Rio Grande. Anna (third from right) wears Tory Burch; toryburch.com. Sarah Grace (second from right) wears a J.Crew dress; jcrew.com.
CARRY ON
It’s a scene many older siblings know well: Amy—who wears a crocheted Heirlome dress (heirlome.com)—lets Sarah Grace hitch a ride.
HOLDING PATTERNS
Austin-based designer Daizy López, here in Willy Chavarria (willychavarria.com for requests), cradles her baby girl, Nova. She’s joined by her son, Diego, and husband, Francisco, who wears a Willy Chavarria suit and a Stetson hat.
PONY UP
Members of Charras de Agua Santa, an Austin-based escaramuza team—think an all-women rodeo, but with an emphasis on precision and style rather than speed—ride in formation in their competition dresses.
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THE PINK LADIES
Alondra Acosta (second from left) is a third-generation charra. Every year, the Charras de Agua Santa organize a tournament, Torneo Lauro Iván Acosta, in honor of her late father. Flanking her, from left: María José Rivera Delabra, Mary Cruz Acosta, Marisol Vázquez Alfaro, and Esmeralda Perez Castelan.
OWNING THE ROAD
Ruth takes the long way home in a sweeping, flower-strewn Carolina Herrera dress; carolinaherrera.com.
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COLOR STORY
Ruth sets a striking tone in her scarlet Coach dress; coach.com. Kemo Sabe hat. Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott earrings.
THERE’S A CATCH…
Reginald McCullough, a Houston-based cowboy, can’t help but capture our attention in a Bode jacket (bode.com) and Bailey Hat Company hat. Hyo Silver bolo tie.
TOP BRASS
The Ocean of Soul—the acclaimed marching band at Texas Southern University, an HBCU in Houston—celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025, a year after performing with Beyoncé at halftime during the Houston Texans’ game against the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas Day in 2024.
PLAYING FOR KEEPS
Ruth, in Thom Browne (thombrowne.com), steps up for step-off with Ocean of Soul drum majors Kam’Ron Hadnot (left) and Kevin Smith.
MADE IN THE SHADE
Ruth, resplendent in Polo Ralph Lauren (ralphlauren.com), rolls up her sleeves and finds her rhythm.
Models Alex Hartnett, a Houston native currently studying at Texas State University, and Bedford, Texas–born Sara Grace Wallerstedt (in ERL; erl.store, and Stetson hats; stetson.com) raise high the hems. Wallerstedt wears Stuart Weitzman shoes.
LET IT SHINE
Ruth (in a Colleen Allen top and capris; modaoperandi.com), Anna (in a Markarian dress; markarian-nyc.com), and Rachel (in a J.Crew dress; jcrew.com) bask in the glow.
RANCH DRESSING
Standing, from left: Ruth in a Polo Ralph Lauren shirt. Vintage Levi’s jeans. Hartnett in Polo Ralph Lauren jeans. Nathan McWhorter from Bruno’s Triangle Seven Rodeo Arena in Houston (one of the only Black-owned rodeo arenas in the city); Wallerstedt (in a Tiffany & Co. necklace) and model Erin Wasson (seated) in Polo Ralph Lauren. McCullough wears a Tiffany & Co. chain.
Morgan Rusher from Bruno’s.
Ty Mitchell, a Big Bend local.
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Hartnett in a Calvin Klein Collection jacket and jeans; calvinklein.com.
LADIES OF THE CLUB
Models Tessa Gonzalez, Wallerstedt, and Stephanie Payne pay homage to the colors of their state’s flag. Gonzalez wears a Carolina Herrera dress (carolinaherrera.com) and Tiffany & Co. ring. Wallerstedt in Marc Jacobs. Payne in a Carolina Herrera dress.
Wasson—who hails from Irving, Texas, just northwest of Dallas—is true blue in a Michael Kors Collection shirt and jeans; michaelkors.com. Polo Ralph Lauren boots.
COUNTRY STRONG
Wallerstedt (in a Gabriela Hearst dress) with dancers from the McAllen, Texas–based Ikonik Dancers (in J.Crew jackets and shirts and Ariat jeans and boots).
In this story: hair, Lucas Wilson; makeup, Michaela Bosch; tailor, Happiness Akinola.
Produced by Day Int. Special Thanks: Texas Southern University.
Local Scout: Lilac Perez.