When Robert Redford’s acting career blossomed in the 1960s, he chose Utah as his sanctuary, seeking a reprieve from the bustle of Hollywood. Twenty years later, he launched the film festival now celebrated as Sundance, an event he lovingly named after the Sundance Institute, which he established in 1981 to champion independent cinema.
This festival, a brainchild of the late Mr. Redford, not only propelled countless actors and directors to stardom but also inadvertently sculpted celebrity fashion trends. It brought the local boutiques of Park City, Utah – Sundance’s enduring home – into the sartorial spotlight.
Held every January amidst snowy peaks, Sundance quickly evolved into a premier destination where industry titans showcased their finest wintry Western attire. Think plush shearling coats, luxurious furs, classic cowboy hats, cozy beanies, stylish scarves, rugged flannel shirts, durable denim, and an array of distinctive boots.
This distinctive look sharply contrasted with the high-glamour gowns and sharp tuxedos typically seen at prestigious events like Cannes or Venice, noted New York stylist Kate Young, who has dressed stars such as Dakota Johnson and Julianne Moore for their Sundance outings. She aptly described it as a festival where “everyone kind of went as themselves,” embracing authenticity over ostentation.
Laura Montecot-Fruth, proprietor of Grace Clothiers on Park City’s Main Street, observed that during Sundance, the snowy streets transformed into an impromptu fashion show. “There’s nothing like seeing people on the street in the middle of the snowstorms, walking up and down with their fabulous shoes, boots, and even furs,” she reminisced.
Even though Mr. Redford himself wasn’t fond of the commercialization, Sundance quickly drew A-list celebrities and eager brands, who in turn left their unique fashion mark on the town. Ms. Montecot-Fruth, 60, recalled how Fred Segal, a beloved Los Angeles retailer that closed in 2024, even maintained a local presence during earlier festivals.
“The film festival truly elevated the local fashion scene,” Ms. Montecot-Fruth affirmed. “No other event could have introduced such a distinct style to Park City.”
Having lived in Park City since 1995, Ms. Montecot-Fruth’s first local job was as a hostess at The Tree Room, a restaurant at the Sundance Mountain Resort, which Redford established after moving to Utah (and later sold in 2020). “He was incredibly kind and supportive,” she shared, having also managed another restaurant there. “Everyone adored him.”
In 2014, Ms. Montecot-Fruth opened Grace Clothiers, offering chunky knitwear, jeans, and other mountain-ready fashion for both women and men. During previous Sundance festivals, she even leased a portion of her store to the Sundance Institute for merchandise sales. “We’d have movie stars, and at times it was overwhelming with onlookers filling the streets,” she recounted. “It was simply wild.”
The Sundance festival, set to relocate to Boulder, Colorado, in 2027, along with Mr. Redford’s influence, significantly boosted the visibility of Tanner Trading Company. This fifth-generation family business, known for its Native American jewelry and handicrafts, opened its Park City branch in 2018. Madilyn Thorpe, 31, the general manager, credits Mr. Redford with popularizing “that iconic Ralph Lauren aesthetic, deeply rooted in Navajo culture.”
“He genuinely loved Native American art and weavings,” Ms. Thorpe elaborated. “This passion drew a specific clientele, eager to embrace that unique style, directly to our store.”
Braydan Shaw, the current, sixth-generation owner of Burns Cowboy Shop, a Western wear boutique in Park City, fondly remembered crafting a special commemorative belt buckle for Mr. Redford. This was on November 9, 2013, when former Utah Governor Gary Herbert officially proclaimed it ‘Robert Redford Day’ across the state.
Mr. Shaw, 46, emphasized that Mr. Redford “truly personified the spirit of the West.” He added, “He empowered others to exhibit their crafts and artistry in our town, enriching our entire community.”
“We gained significant exposure through fashion blogs and numerous articles,” Mr. Shaw explained. “This introduced us to a new clientele, including filmmakers, which greatly boosted our business.” Notably, the production team for ‘Justified,’ FX’s contemporary Western series, commissioned custom boots for its cast when the show concluded in 2015.
Before the Sundance era, Mr. Shaw noted that Park City was primarily a quaint mining and ski town. “Mr. Redford,” he concluded, “undeniably propelled it onto the national stage.”