words and photos by Meg Baertl Brown
Many of you are familiar with Marjorie Grace Mathis. She is known around Southeast Texas as a fashionista, event singer, makeup artist, visual artist, and supporter of all things Beaumont. She currently works in Port Arthur as a Memorial High School art teacher and also works for IT Cosmetics, Painting with a Twist, and continues to do hair and makeup on the side. In her spare time, Grace enjoys gardening, karaoke, and performing in local theatre productions. Born and raised in Beaumont, she sold everything she owned and moved to New York. Thankfully for us, she moved back to Beaumont in 2016 and she has no plans of leaving again anytime soon! Fun facts about Grace are that she loves the color pink and in the summer after her second-grade year, she read 100 books! If you are looking for hidden food gems in and around Beaumont, she recommends going to College Street for the most authentic Mexican food in town. Her suggestions include Tacos el Primo, the cafeteria inside La Vaquita 2, a taco truck at 4th street, and then her personal fave El Paraiso. She also recommends De Buey y Vaca, La Michoacana for incredible authentic Mexican ice cream and snacks, as well as Carlito’s and Elena’s for some good ol’ Tex Mex. As a former writer for the Studio INK’s Style Files, we are excited to work with Grace and have her be in front of the camera to show off her signature style that we all love!
Here is Grace’s Style File:
Where and when did you style journey begin? As a child when I wore embroidered dresses, big hats, and as many necklaces and bracelets as possible.
How do you put together each outfit? With the occasion and the desired overall look, then my mood. Then I typically think of one item in my wardrobe that suits those things and build on that.
What would you tell someone who wants to find their own personal style? Have fun and take risks! I sometimes look back on things I wore and say uuuhhhhhh I wouldn’t wear that again, but you have to take those risks to really set yourself apart and find your unique sartorial voice.
Who are some of your style icons? Grace Jones, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, and people I see on the street.
What are some of your favorite places to shop? Treasure House, estate sales, and clothing swaps
What have been some of your most memorable wardrobe pieces over the years? Various big rings and long earrings, a pair of metallic pink loafers purchased from an estate sale and a pair of sequin slippers from a resale shop, a silver leather skirt that was my first nice thrift purchase, and a pair of vintage black shorts that I have worn 1,000 times purchased from Stellar Treasure, Larena Busceme’s thrift boutique that is sadly no longer in existence
