TRENDSETTERS

from Show Horse Today 2023 Style Issue

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

UNBRIDLED COUTURE IS TRENDING IN ALL THE HOTTEST WAYS

by Robyn Duplisea

If you follow horse show fashion at all, you will have recognized our cover image as the show shirt that went viral. Whether you show reiners or pleasure horses everyone went wild for the stunning show shirt with the unicorn fringe. The first design from a new series for Unbridled Couture aptly named Trendsetters.

“The mint shirt with the multicolored fringe that we used for the cover was super fun to create” shared Dana Wilson Reece, owner of Unbridled Couture.

“We actually sourced that fringe sleeved fabric from Italy on one of our buying trips. That piece was the first in our ‘Trendsetter’ line and is a prime example of something created and designed around the unique fringe fabric.”

This isn’t the first time people have noticed the quality and uniqueness of Unbridled Couture’s designs though. They currently dress many of the top riders.

“Emma Gore won multiple titles at the 2022 AQHA Youth World as well as the Congress in her Unbridled Pieces. We just recently acquired Madison Rafacz as an Unbridled client and she is setting the reining world on fire, so expect to see big things from her. Kaleena Weakly has been a long time friend and client and we all know how talented she is in the all-around events as well as the western pleasure.”

Dana continued “I have always admired Joetta Bell and her talent on the back of a horse so I was ecstatic for the opportunity to be able to work with her. Katie Green is another member of the Unbridled Couture team, we always have fun designing new things for her, and she always shines so bright in the Winners Circle. Emma Goffard can also be seen in multiple win pictures from the APHA World wearing Unbridled.”

To understand the genius behind the brand you need to know Dana Reece. She has earned her stripes both in the show pen and the fashion industry. And that combination is what allows her designs to be so incredible.

“I grew up in the industry as a ‘trainers kid’, both of my parents were trainers and my dad was a judge. So when I was about 14, I started prepping for my first AQHYA World Show. When I approached my dad at the time asking him to help me set a budget for show clothes. He quickly told me that I could either get a job to help pay for the new set of show clothes or I could figure out how to make them myself! I got to work that opportunities such as being able to study abroad, in doing so I created many contacts within the industry that I still utilize today.”

“We draw a lot of our inspiration from high fashion designers straight off the runway. One of my guilty pleasures is fabric shopping and searching for day on the challenge that he presented me with by calling my grandmother and having her take me to the fabric store, and the rest is history. I spent the first year designing and creating for myself, which led to clients in my mom and dad‘s barn hiring me to create their pieces, which then turned into what it is today where I have designed and created for some of the industries top competitors in multiple countries across the World.”

Dana rode for the equestrian team at the University of Georgia, for four years. During her time there she studied Fashion Merchandising and Design. “Through these programs I was afforded many those unique pieces that allow me to create innovative designs centered on a fabric pattern.”

We all know that horse show fashion needs to function. The most stunning outfit is useless if you can not actually ride in it. That is where Dana’s experience as an equestrian comes in.

“Fit and quality are what we pride ourselves in here at Unbridled. You can have the most blinged out piece in the arena or something extremely simple with zero stones on it but if it doesn’t fit well it can throw off an entire look in an instant.”

Unbridled Couture offers both “Ready to Wear” and

Custom creations so they can fit the needs of many riders. Customs are a big part of what they do at Unbridled Couture.

“The process starts with a Consultation which allows us to work one on one with our clients to interpret their vision, match colors and design a unique creation. We then walk them through the process of getting measured so we can ensure the fit is perfect, once measurements are confirmed and sketches are approved we begin the creation process” explained Dana.

“Some clients like to be more involved with the entire process so we try to accommodate by sending progress pictures to involve them with the process. Other clients like to be surprised and so we get to use our own creative process and create a masterpiece for them to see at the time of completion.”

“It is so rewarding to see customers wearing my pieces of art when they come to life.”

Constantly thinking about innovation,

Unbridled added their own in-house social media team this year. “They create content of each piece, including pictures and fun videos that bring the piece to life” exclaimed Dana.

“We are always thinking outside the box and willing to create unique designs to set our clients apart from the rest.”

If you are looking for “Ready to Wear”

Unbridled puts the same effort and innovation into those designs as well.

“Online shopping has been a huge game changer for us. We actually altered our business approach this past year by amping up our ‘Ready To Wear’ lines and offering more inventory. Some clients have a hard time visualizing what a custom design will look like or they simply do not have the time to wait for a custom order so we have drastically increased our inventory to accommodate those clients shared Dana”

“To us, fit is the single most important aspect of what makes our pieces so special so we offer a “Fit Guarantee” where if the item does not fit for any reason, we allow our customers to return it for a full refund.”

2022 brought many changes for Unbridled Couture and Dana. Dana lost her mom, beloved horse woman Pam Wilson.

“After losing my mom almost a year ago, the past year has not only been one of the hardest seasons of my life, but on the flip side it has also been one of the most rewarding. I know the recent successes I’ve had are making my mom incredibly proud.”

“She had such a tremendous impact on everyone that she came in contact with in her lifetime, but she was extremely special in the way that she would always fill her riders with confidence before they entered the arena. This is something I strive to instill in every one of my clients when they put on their Unbridled Couture piece, and the legacy I want to carry on for my mom.”

The growth of Unbridled Couture has also brought an expansion to Dana’s team. “I have built an amazing team of people around me that make every day possible with Unbridled, the growth has been so phenomenal that my husband has recently come on board to take over a lot of the every day functionality of the business which has allowed it to become what it is.” be found at www.ShopUnbridled. com and at all of the “Majors” with Head To Tail Boutique, Show Me Again Show Clothing, Tailored By Taylor, CRS Custom Creations and at select Reining shows with Saguaro Show Pads.

Dana is excited to see her business in the growth phase. “We are building a brand that will be recognized worldwide. We have several exciting new partnerships and collaborations that will be launched in 2023 and into 2024, so stay tuned” exclaimed Dana.