4 minute read
Western Style Guide:
WESTERN STYLE GUIDE: WHAT TO WEAR FOR WINTER
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INTERVIEW WITH ALISHA KURTZ, BY MACKENZIE KIMBRO
Alisha & daughter Collins at Las Vegas booth
Alisha Kurtz is the owner of Woolies Quality Clothier, based in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. She’s also a mother and wife, a horsewoman and a sweet gal who holds the western way of life near and dear to her heart. Because of all of that, I interviewed Alisha for one of my blog posts in a series I call “Grit & Glam Inspired,” a collection of posts all about women who are fiercely unique, know how to work hard and look good doing it, and have built amazing brands. Here’s a look at what she had to say when asked a few questions about her brand and the finer details of what Woolies is known for…
AK: Woolies Quality Clothier is simply an embodiment of the lifestyle I chose to love and live. Over the years that I have owned Woolies, I noticed a major gap in the marketplace when it came to Western fashion that was both functional and fashionable. As a woman who, at the time, spent my weekdays in the corporate world and her weekends and evenings helping my husband on the ranch &/or showing horses, I was on the hunt for fashions that were versatile enough to fit all the hats I wore.
MK: If you would like folks to know one major thing about your business, what would that be?
AK: Woolies is a one-woman show with big dreams. Every order that comes through still feels like the first. I personally fulfill and ship every order, often with the help of my sweet little daughter, and I love every minute of what I get to do. I love making all women feel beautiful, confident, and able in the clothing they chose. When you shop at Woolies, you are supporting a dream and a family of agriculture.
MK: What have been some of your bestsellers or your personal favorites?
AK: Year after year, our best seller continues to be the Telluride dress, which also happens to be one of my personal favorites. I think it continues to hold that title for good reason: denim and embroidery are never wrong, especially as a dress/duster. Each fall, the Telluride gets an updated look featuring embroidery in the current season’s palette. And let me tell you, it’s almost unheard of to get this much embroidery for less than $100. For Winter, our wool ponchos, wraps and jackets are always a hit. We started carrying these three years ago, and every year our customers love them. My favorite thing about them is they are not only USA made, but they are made five minutes from my parent’s home where I grew up. Talk about keeping it local!
I can’t miss Kimes Ranch jeans. Kimes Ranch jeans have been a staple at Woolies since 2011. Yes, eight years…probably long before most of you had even heard of the company. I still own and wear a pair from the early days. Kimes Ranch jeans fit all occasions, and most importantly, they last! I don’t sell anything at Woolies that either my husband or I don’t personally believe in.
MK: Who/what inspires you?
AK: When buying for Woolies, my biggest inspiration comes from dayto-day life on the ranch or the life of a weekend horse show/rodeo warrior. I have spent my entire life showing horses, and I am now fortunate to be a rancher/horse trainer’s wife. While I don’t work in the corporate world anymore, I was tired of having to have multiple wardrobes: one for the office, one for rodeos/horse shows, one for working on the ranch, and one for going out. While a few of our pieces will be a little fancier than most would wear while working cattle, my goal is to create a collection of functional and fashionable threads that fit just about any situation the Western person may find themselves in. In day-to-day life if I hit a slump whether personally or professionally, there is always one thing that can up my spirits – a ride on one of my favorite horses. Riding and showing horses has always been my escape. For our 2018 NFR campaign, Woolies adopted the slogan, “In a world full of trends, be a classic.” I would tell myself exactly that! Don’t worry about what everyone else is doing. Find your groove, do your thing, and people will take note. I am proud of everything I have built little by little, and I am most flattered when customers tell me how classy and timeless our pieces are.
Classy and timeless… couldn’t have said it better myself! Woolies is a one stop shop for all of your western way of life clothing needs… Alisha does a phenomenal job curating collections that cater to all styles, price points and sizes! She carries pieces from noteworthy brands, from Roper and Stetson to Tasha Polizzi and Double D Ranchwear… all while maintaining affordability, quality and diversity of styles. Her collections (which include women’s, men’s and the little ones) are created with a ranch heritage in mind and can effortlessly carry you from ranch or arena to runway and everywhere in between. It is truly incredible to watch this gal take the world by storm with her unique twists on classic staples - helping cowboys, cowgirls and little bitty cowpunchers to jazz up their western wardrobe!
Be sure to follow Woolies Quality Clothier’s incredible selection on Instagram and Facebook or visit, www.wearwoolies.com
Emma Big Shirt
© Angelina Cornidez Photography
ABOUT THE AUTHOR, (pictured above): Mackenzie Kimbro is a sixth-generation cattle rancher, western fashion blogger and influencer. Her multifaceted lifestyle brand, “Roots Run Deep,” showcases shades of the southwestern lifestyle; ranching, hunting, conservation, rodeo, fashion, cowboy culture and the arts. The brand started with her coffee-table cookbook but has flourished into a social media presence and now an online show, kicking off during the National Finals Rodeo event in December 2019.
