FALL 2019 ISSUE
DOUBLEDRANCH.COM
Style Makers ISSUE
We love fashion and we love fashionistas. We believe in powerful women and we believe in empowering women. We advocate for embracing your own style and we advocate for expressing it, via whatever means or media you’re so inclined. These five women are all of that. While they come from varied geographies, backgrounds, and professions, these lovely ladies all have one thing in common: a fabulous sense of western-influenced style, and literally tens of thousands of people who agree. We weren’t really sure how this experimental photoshoot would go or what would come of it, but we knew we had found a handful of women we admired who happened to be fans of Double D Ranch, and we knew that we wanted to get to know them and get their take on how they would wear our Giant-inspired collection. So, we invited them down to Texas. We spent a few days dressing them up, and more importantly, having them dress themselves up, and we had the opportunity to view the collection through the young, fresh eyes of outsiders. It was a stretch of our comfort zone (we’ve always styled our own shoots, for decades), but it was exciting to experience actual customers interacting with and interpreting garments in ways we hadn’t even imagined. We know that they’re most commonly called “Instagram influencers”, but honestly, we’re not a fan of that term. We think they’re more than that. These women are PR directors, and CPAs, wives, mothers and ranch hands. They’re trendsetters and trailblazers and fashion-focused entrepreneurs of sorts. To us, they’re Style Makers.
by Halley Homen
The Double D Ranch 2019 Fall Collections are inspired by the 1956 film, Giant. (If you haven’t seen it, you should -- it has everything.) It’s a Texas tale of cattlemen, and wildcatters, and the little man making it big. The collection features a heavy presence of denim, prairie prints, and the resurgence of patchwork. It channels the industrial looks of Luz Benedict and luxurious style of Liz Taylor and everything in between. Incidentally, the movie Giant predates all of our Style Makers by about 30 years, and in a way, it was a perfect happy accident of witnessing how fashion transcends generations. Style is a language we all speak.
WILDCATTER GIANT
INSPO
Style Makers JENA KNOWLES SHALEY HAM WHITNEY BENTON NICOLE ZUELKE SHELBY BERRECLOTH
LINING UP THE LADIES: We hand-selected this group of Style Makers who are making waves in the fashion realm of the Western lifestyle. They traveled from all over North America down to our humble home in Texas for a photo shoot unlike any we’ve ever done. It was an honor to host them, and an exciting experience to witness the interpretation of Double D Ranch through their eyes. Cattle drive photograph by Scott Slusher, scottslusherphotography.com
A LOOK
behind the scenes
GET TO KNOW
Jena Knowles
A native of Northeastern Nevada, Jena definitely grew up in the lifestyle. She’s a fourth-generation rancher, and she rodeoed up through college, before hanging up her saddle. Or so she thought.
IG: @JENA.KNOWLES
“I was graduating Boise State, I was focusing on my career in communications, and doing marketing for Verizon, which was really fun,” Jena said. “And then Trevor came along and sucked me back to my roots! But I think my parents are happy about that. And it worked out for Trevor, too, because I can ride and rope and take care of an entire cattle ranch while he’s gone. So, win-win.” Yes, that Trevor Knowles, 18-year member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. He and Jena married just over two years ago and settled down on their ranch in Eastern Oregon. While the following she’s built is entirely to her own credit, Jena said her inadvertent foray into Instagramming was somewhat of an accidental by-product of their relationship. “Honestly, it wasn’t planned at all,” Jena said. “It really kind of happened around the time I started dating Trevor. I was going to rodeos with him and it just got really fun dressing up for the rodeos, because the rest of the time I was in an office wearing slack and a polo every day. I posted a couple of pics in the beginning and people loved it, and it kind of became a regular thing; just sharing my outfits, any sort of modeling I was doing, sharing my day-today at the ranch, whatever was going on in my life at the moment.”
DDR: What is one fashion trend that you followed that was very cool then, but ridiculous now? JENA: Rockies! I had every color, and man, did I think I was cool. Please don’t let them come back!
DDR: What would you say is your spirit animal and why? JENA: I would say a sloth. I am super chill and calm 99% of the time, and I love naps. (But don’t let that fool you, I am FAST!)
DDR: What color best represents you or what would you say is your “power color”? JENA: Turquoise has been my favorite color for as long as I can remember, but red makes me feel powerful. It’s hard to stop a girl wearing red.
DDR: In what era would you most like to have grown up (or experienced)? JENA: I think it would’ve been cool to experience life in Ancient Greece. Fetch me my chariot!
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DOUBLEDRANCH.COM
Van Horn Jacket Indigo Blues Workshirt
Stone Bluff Duster Granger Dress Hellish Drought Boot Thomasina Hat
Indigo Blues Workshirt Great Spirit Necklace Earth Spirit Ketoh Cuff Cluster Ring Concho Earring Wildcatter Hat Vintage Belt
Donna Corina Duster Grass Rope Blouse Skat Kat Boot Django Hat Vintage Concho Belt De Vargas Earrings Coral Squash Blossom
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Frontier Trapper Hat Graduated Beaded Necklace IG: @JENA.KNOWLES
Turquoise Cuff Derrickman Jacket / Dress Blowout Boot Snake Eyes Cuff
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LOOK WE
Love
WHY I PICKED IT IT’S FUNNY, BECAUSE I WALKED OUT THE DOOR AND IMMEDIATELY ALL THE LADIES SAID, “OH, THAT’S A DUSTER!” BUT I HAD PUT IT ON AS A DRESS. I love denim and I love taking something simple and then making a huge statement with accessories, especially jewelry. I love huge jewelry pieces, as you can probably tell. I loved playing with the jewelry because there were so many big, oversized, gaudy pieces that I just loved. So, I picked something simple and just ran with it on the jewelry. If it was more detailed, I probably would’ve toned it down on the jewelry, but that was the perfect piece to go big. I loved the crown on the Frontier Trapper Hat, and I liked the distressed look on the brim, and the color just worked perfectly for that outfit.
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GET TO KNOW
Shaley Ham
On the path to earning her CPA, the 27-year-old sees bean-counting as more than just a way to fund her fashion habit. “People ask me if I would ever do [fashion blogging] full-time, and I don’t think I could. [Accounting] is what I went to school for and that’s where my passion lies,” she told us. “The fashion and all the rest is just my creative outlet that I like to explore.”
IG: @WESTDESPERADO
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FB: @WESTDESPERADO
The accounting department is not where you might expect to find a Style Maker, but Shaley has a knack – and a love – for both.
DDR: How would you describe your personal style? SHALEY: I would say that most of my style can be summed up to Western-influenced with a modern touch. I love finding a good vintage western print, but then I come up with a more contemporary way to style or accessorize it. I think the juxtaposition of western and modern styles complement each other beautifully. DDR: Who are your style icons? SHALEY: Lately, I’ve been thriving off of Kacey Musgraves’ concert and awards show looks. They are giving me so much National Finals Rodeo inspiration. DDR: What is always in your bag? Your never-leave-home-without-it item. SHALEY: This might seem like a given, but I can’t leave the house without my phone! I’ll be halfway down my gravel road and realize
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I forgot it, and I’ll turn right around to go back and grab it! Since I run a business through my phone, it’s an everyday necessity! DDR: What would you say is your spirit animal, and why? SHALEY: I would have to say I resonate with horses, but specifically Clydesdale horses. They are gorgeous, free-spirited animals that are also built for a heavy workload, which represents my drive for things I’m passionate about. DDR: What gets you excited? SHALEY: My eyes light up when having passionate conversations about dreams and goals -- not even necessarily about mine. There is no greater level of excitement than having someone to brainstorm or just listen to your passion and ambitions and encourage you to work hard to achieve them.
DOUBLEDRANCH.COM
Round Up Rosie Top, Bunkhouse Blanket Jacket, Wildcatter Hat, Luz Skirt
Blackfeather’s Blanket Jacket Django Hat Round Up Rosie Boot Vintage Jewelry
top left: Django Hat Hui People Top Vintage Necklace above: Spanish Pony Sweater left: Roundup Rosie Blouse Luz Denim Skirt Wildcatter Hat Roundup Rosie Boot Vintage Turquoise Concha Belt Vintage Cluster Pin
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FB: @WESTDESPERADO // IG: @WESTDESPERADO
Driskoll Hat Ol San Antonio Rose Boot Concho & Butterfly Belt Rita Blanca Blouse Shield & Drum Skirt Kingman Bolo Turquoise Stone Ring
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LOOK WE
Love WHY I PICKED IT The first piece I was really drawn to was the Rita Blanca Blouse. I really liked the look of prairie chic, and it had a high neck with the ruffles down the front. I’m never afraid to pair black and brown; I know some people don’t like to do that, but I think they go together really well. So I went with the elegant, classy prairie on top and brown tones and the fringe of the Shield & Drum Skirt gave a kind of rustic, western flair to it. I always start with the staples and then the accessories kind of work themselves out. Little pops of turquoise are always a good idea. And I am a hat wearer, I pretty much top almost every outfit that I wear off with a hat of some sort.
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GET TO KNOW
Whitney Benton
IG: @WESTERNCOUTURE
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FB: @WESTERN-COUTURE
This Colorado Style Maker hails from a tiny town — like, “eleven people in her graduating class” tiny — and is living the small-town cowgirl American Dream! After going their separate ways for college, she and her high school sweetheart, Nik, found their way back to their East Colorado roots, and back to each other. Now married, they spend their lives together farming and ranching and wrangling their two tiny cowboys, Truett and Ledger. Like most of our Style Makers, she kind of stumbled into the scene by accident. “I was just always sharing little tidbits of my fashion – of some new boots I found, or turquoise, or whatever – on my personal [Instagram] account, and I started gaining enough traction there that I created a new account to post strictly fashion-related content. I started taking it a little more seriously and hiring photographers as it went on.”
DDR: How would you describe your personal style? WHITNEY: Timeless, but practical. I love keeping up with the latest edgy trend, but as a mother to two rowdy cowboys, practicality is everything! DDR: What is one fashion trend you followed that was very cool then, but ridiculous now? WHITNEY: Remember the days when everything was low-rise and cropped? From mini-skirts to belly shirts! I wonder now what we ever did before high-rise! #longlivehighrise DDR: What would you love to find at a yard sale? WHITNEY: Some good old vintage cowboy boots or an old cowboy hat!
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Whether it’s on my head or hung on a wall in my house, I can’t get enough! DDR: What makes you laugh the hardest? WHITNEY: My boys! I could write a book on all the laugh-until-you-cry, side-cramp-worthy things they have coming out of their mouths. They keep me laughing and always on the happy side of life. DDR: If you had your own talk show, who would be your first three guests? WHITNEY: Kevin Costner (because, you know… #yellowstone), my boys, and my late grandpa, Glen Norman. I love a good laugh and a good story, and I know they’d all have plenty of both!
DOUBLEDRANCH.COM
Alamo Scout Jacket Sierra Madre Boot Vintage Belt
Indigo Blues Vest Wildcatter Hat Vintage Squash Blossom Vintage Concha Belt
Alamo Scout Jacket Buffalo Joe Hat Sierra Madre Boot
Juana Guerra Top Django Hat Turquoise Cluster Ring Vintage Squash Vintage Belt
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FB: @WESTERN-COUTURE // IG: @WESTERNCOUTURE
Driscoll Hat Double Stone Ring Grass Rope Blouse Guarache Jacket Long Tall Sally Boot Vintage Concho Bolo Concho Belt
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LOOK WE Love WHY I PICKED IT All black everything, all the time! Black is definitely always my go-to color. I think it’s strong but timeless; a classic color. I felt like playing with a couple of different textures, like the faux leather leggings with the sheer top and the jacket for some layering. I loved the blouse! I chose to just put a lacy bralette underneath to give it kind of an edgy feel, but also the jacket, because you know, conservative. I tend to go towards the less colorful side of things, so I accessorized with some pops of sterling rather than piling on lots of turquoise. The leggings and the top kind of steered away from conventional western, so I chose a more traditional hat and boot style to tie that back in.
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GET TO KNOW
Nicole Zuelke
Nicole is quite a paradox. A girl from the west coast, growing up outside San Diego, is not exactly what you picture when you think Western lifestyle. But she’s been riding and showing horses since she was a tiny little tot of age 4.
IG: ARIZONA_BLUES_
“I was just this little girl, doing these big events,” Nicole said. “I remember for one, my mom had an outfit made for me that was ALL teal. Teal shirt, teal chaps, she even spray-painted a white straw cowboy hat teal, and I had little teal gloves. I mean, I was decked out.” While the outfit may have scarred her, the art of public appearance has served her well; she’s been modeling professionally for more than a decade. Youthful in appearance and new-age in practice (her current focus is teaching Zen Cowgirl yoga), Nicole is still a bit of an old soul. If she could’ve experienced any era of time, she’d have easily chosen “early 1900s, horse and buggy days, for sure.” Additionally, she’s honed some impressive age-old skills. “I’m a sculpture artist, I make longhorn steer sculptures and horses, and I just shipped some turtles I made to a gallery in Oahu,” she humbly shared. “And I’m a leather crafter. I’m working with a local silversmith here in Prescott (Arizona); I am co-designing a line of belts with them, Claim Post. I think that’s it, that’s all I do.” (Oh, that’s all?)
DDR: Who is your style icon? NICOLE: Elizabeth Smith Miller. She was one of the first modern women to start wearing pants in the mid 1800s. I’m just so thankful that women can wear pants! DDR: What is always in your bag? Your never-leave-home-without-it item. NICOLE: My Kimber 9mm. DDR: What would you love to find at a yard sale?
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NICOLE: I’d love to find mint condition Double D Ranch jackets. And I have! Prescott has amazing estate sales. DDR: What color best represents you, or what would you say is your “power color”? NICOLE: I’m always drawn to wearing anything black, and I also love denim. I’m not sure if denim is technically a color, but I sure do love wearing a good ol’ Canadian Tuxedo!
DOUBLEDRANCH.COM
Homespun Dress American Assemblage Vest Turquoise Concho Bolo
Las Espuelas Duster/Dress Vintage Squash Blossom Wildcatter Hat Stockyards Boot Vintage Concha Belt
Texas Two Step Jacket Rayado Pant Vintage Choker Roustabout Boot Buffalo & Tipi Earrings
Homespun Dress Driscoll Hat Tooled Leather Vintage Belt Vintage Squash Blossom Vintage Cuffs
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IG: ARIZONA_BLUES_
Old Pawn Hat Roustabout Boot Buffalo & Tipi Earrings Texas Two-Step Jacket Rayado Pant Onyx Ring Vintage Choker
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LOOK WE
Love WHY I PICKED IT I was drawn to the Texas Two Step Jacket because of the fringe and the concho buttons. And the animal print, I love exotic skins. The jacket was so beautiful and it felt so good when I put it on. The bone color of the necklace complimented the leopard print accents, and I tied in the button look with the larger concho of the necklace, and I thought that all tied together really well. I love the color black, so I wanted to bring out the black accents of the jacket with a nice solid bootcut black pant.
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GET TO KNOW
Shelby Berrecloth
IG: @WILDROSERETRO
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FB: @WILDROSERETRO
A small-town Canadian from Alberta, Shelby is a little bit edgy. She has some sass to her style, and we are here for it! But she admits, it took her a little while to find herself. “I’ve always loved fashion and clothes, even back in high school. But I didn’t really start to dress the way I wanted to until college.” And that’s what set her on the path to being a Style Maker. “I started styling my outfits, and really figuring out what my style and taste was. And then I started sharing them. Then I turned that into a blog to showcase my fashion and do some creative things with it, but writing wasn’t really my strong suit, so I turned more to Instagram and focused on that.” She’s since combined her new-found sense of style and her business degree, and created an online boutique, Wildrose Clothing Co.
DDR: How would you describe your personal style? SHELBY: Retro western hippie cowgirl. ‘Nuff said? DDR: Who are your style icons? SHELBY: Cher. Nikki Lane. Dolly Parton. Anyone who isn’t afraid to be themselves. DDR: In what era would you most like to have grown up? SHELBY: I loved growing up in the 90s (nothing beats 90s country music) but I would love to have experienced the 70s! I think my style and laid-back attitude would fit perfectly in that era. Not to mention,
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I have at least eight pairs of bellbottoms I could roller skate in! DDR: What color best represents you, or what would you say is your “power color”? SHELBY: Red. Makes me feel empowered, sexy, and confident. “There is a different shade of red for every woman.” – Audrey Hepburn DDR: What is always in your bag? Your never-leave-home-without-it item. SHELBY: Buxom lip gloss. That stuff is the cat’s meow and it goes with any outfit!
DOUBLEDRANCH.COM
Thomasina Hat Indigo Blues Workshirt Apache Junction Shorts Cowpuncher Vest Vintage Belt
Ranch Rodeo Top Wildcatter Hat Dennis Hogan Earrings Vintage Bolo
Rio Chiquito Blouse Apache Blend Vest Turquoise and Coral Ring
Cowpuncher Vest Indigo Blues Workshirt Apache Junction Shorts Thomasina Hat Vintage Belt Vintage Jewelry
Ranch Rodeo Top Saddle Up Skirt Vintage Belt Zuni Cluster Ring Thunderbird Ring
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FB: @WILDROSERETRO //
American Assemblage Vest
IG: @WILDROSERETRO
Squash Blossom Vintage Turquoise Cuff Vintage Turquoise Royston Cuff Turquoise Cluster Belt Born in the USA Boot
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LOOK WE
Love WHY I PICKED IT I loved the beading on the American Assemblage Vest and all the detail of it! I thought it was such a statement in itself that I didn’t think I needed to add much, and that’s why I chose to go simple underneath with just a white tank and a flared jean. All of the turquoise at the Double D shoot was crazy, there was SO much turquoise in that room! So, I decided I was going to pick and throw on my favorite pieces of turquoise with this sort of simple outfit, and yeah, that was kind of just “me”.
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