2014 BOOT TRENDS Early Spring 2014 Love Affair with Boots America’s TOM BALDING BITS & SPURS • CHILDREN’S BOOTS • BEST WESTERN SHIRTS 2014 FALL FASHION FORECAST Late Spring 2014 e Year of the Horse TOTES, PURSES & CLUTCHES • MODERN ENGLISH BOOTS • TASHA POLIZZI PLUS: Summer 2014 Western Hats: Never Felt Better HOLIDAY SHOWCASE • OUTBACK TRADING CO. • CHACÓN BELTS & BUCKLES DENIMania! 2015 Media Kit The who, when, what, why & how of THE INDUSTRY’S ICONIC TRADE PUBLICATION EXECUTIVE OFFICES 6688 North Central Expressway Suite 650 Dallas, TX 75206 tel (214) 750-1844 fax (214) 750-4522 www.wetoday.com ADVERTISING SALES CONTACTS Associate Publisher & Editor Susan L. Ebert (512) 431-2013 [email protected]Advertising Coordinator Keely Junot (214) 239-6964 [email protected]
Transcript
2014 BOOT TRENDS
Early Spring 2014
Love Affair with BootsAmerica’s
TOM BALDING BITS & SPURS • CHILDREN’S BOOTS • BEST WESTERN SHIRTS
2014 FALL FASHION FORECAST
Late Spring 2014
The Year of the HorseTOTES, PURSES & CLUTCHES • MODERN ENGLISH BOOTS • TASHA POLIZZI
PLUS:
Summer 2014
Western Hats: Never Felt BetterHOLIDAY SHOWCASE • OUTBACK TRADING CO. • CHACÓN BELTS & BUCKLES
DENIMania!
2015 Media KitThe who, when, what, why & how of
THE INDUSTRY’S ICONIC TRADE PUBLICATION
EXECUTIVE OFFICES 6688 North Central Expressway Suite 650 Dallas, TX 75206
tel (214) 750-1844 fax (214) 750-4522
www.wetoday.com
ADVERTISING SALES CONTACTS Associate Publisher & Editor Susan L. Ebert (512) 431-2013 [email protected]
GEOGRAPHIC BREAKDOWN OF CIRCULATIONWestern & English Today has developed a proprietary mailing list comprising Western and English retail store personnel — including owners, managers and buyers — all of whom receive this glossy, four-color, informative publication at no charge.
Throughout each year, we make a significant investment in refining and augmenting our database of retailers, continually renting new lists as they become available on the market, and using the mailing industry’s best practices to ensure that types of stores, store names, individual names and addresses are correct and current.
Of the copies we distribute, approximately 85 percent of each issue is delivered via mail, with the remaining 15 percent being distributed gratis at the industry’s major markets.
New England:Middle Atlantic:East North Central:West North Central:South Atlantic:East South Central:West South Central:Mountain:Pacific:
2.4%6.3%7.2%
10.4%10.1%
4.1%19.1%28.7%11.7%
In addition to reaching our subscribers in their stores, you’ll find us wherever equestrian retailers congregate to seek out the new apparel, accessories, products and
gear for their stores that their discerning clientele demands, such as:
Western & English Today builds credibility with your retailers. Research commissioned by American Business Media ranks business-to-business magazines as No. 1 in providing information and insight retailers need to build their businesses. Fifty-six percent of respondents indicated that they consider trade magazines a trusted source, followed by trade shows (at 51 percent), salespeople (at 48 percent) and manufacturers’ websites (at 47 percent).
Dallas International Western Markets, March & August
Tully WEA Atlanta Market,February
AETA Expos, January & August
A E
T A
WESA Markets, January & September
WHEN WE PUBLISH
Western & English Today enhances your brand’s image among retailers.With award-winning editorial, razor-sharp photography and high production values, the “third-party voice” of an expertly done trade magazine, accompanied by your advertising message, will earn your company a much higher degree of trust than a competitor with similar products that does not invest in trade advertising.
ONE HUGE COMPREHENSIVE DIRECTORY IN JANUARY:
Western & English Today publishes the SOURCE, a comprehensive resource guide to manufacturers and suppliers on both the Western and English sides of our industry, in January of each year. The SOURCE is timed to be distributed to retailers prior to the January markets, and contains expertly written and researched marketing trends for the upcoming year.
The SOURCE is timed to mail to retailers by January 1 of each year, so they can utilize it to research new products for that year prior to planning their market attendance.
The SOURCE has unique advertising rates: Advertising clients receive double the space they buy. (For example, an advertiser buying a half-page would get a full page; an advertiser buying a full page would receive two pages, and so on.) Contact Susan Ebert at 512.431.2013 or sebert@wetoday for more information.
FOUR WELL-TIMED SEASONAL ISSUES PER YEAR:
In addition to the SOURCE,Western & English Today publishes four regular issues per calendar year: Early Spring, Late Spring, Summer and Fall. These four issues are timed in concert with our industry’s largest trade shows, to give our clients the broadest possible exposure to retailers who are purchasing for their stores.
To augment our free bonus distribution at the January and September WESA markets, the March and October Dallas Western markets, the January and August Hopper AETA markets and the Feburary Atlanta Tully market, Western & English Today purchases mailing rights to finely targeted retailer lists, based on subject matter and seasonality to help extend your reach among prospective retailers.
LASER-TARGETED CUSTOM PUBLISHING OPPORTUNITIES:
Western & English Today excels in client-driven custom publishing, as exemplified by 2010’s Tony Lama 100th Anniversary magazine, and 2012’s FiredUp: Trevor Brazile and His Relentless Brand. Contact Susan Ebert at (512) 431-2013 or sebert@wetoday for more information.
2014 FALL FASHION FORECAST
Late Spring 2014
The Year of the HorseTOTES, PURSES & CLUTCHES • MODERN ENGLISH BOOTS • TASHA POLIZZI
Ladies’ jean styles this season take the lead. New releases at Petrol Jeans, especially for Holiday 2014, can be worn day or night and come in elegant, comfortable fits with a clean-
er dark finish that complement dressy tops. Sexy sandblasting on the thighs — front and back — accentuates curves. Embellishments range from lavish designs em-broidered or applied on the back pockets, upper thigh and even below the knee.
For Spring 2015, Petrol embraces the casual sophisticated Santa Fe look, expressed through rich surface embroidery on jeans with thicker stitching and studs. Petrol targets ladies 25 to 45, and the various fits offer superb comfort thanks to 2 percent spandex woven into 100 percent cotton denim, plus a universal midrise. With denim options from leggings to capris to walking shorts, Petrol’s lifestyle approach makes it easy for buyers and consumers. The average MSRP is $79.99.
Trinity Ranch by Montana West USA made the leap from accessories to jeans just 18 months ago, with eye-popping offerings. By adding jeans to its product base, established customers acquired new options. The line is a boot-cut junior fit, available in 19 styles ranging from size 0-17, with an average 34-inch
length (a select few run 36-inch). At MSRPs from $50 to $76, Trinity Ranch carves out an affordable niche in the fashion
jean category. Designed in Texas and manufactured abroad, the collection delivers just what customers want today: The jeans are lavished with embroidery, appliqué and, in some cases, rhinestone studs, important for markets where bling is in demand. Solidly successful among boutique stores, Trinity Ranch welcomes broader-base retailers as well.
Adiktd creates jeans for a sophisticated female customer. The line offers a full range of special sizes for Juniors and even ones for Missy, from 00 to size 18.
“The rise of women in competitive sports,” said marketing director Dan Stewart, “has resulted in more and more high school-age athletes with more athletic figures. Whatever the build, our jeans offer a great fit, thanks to the 2 percent spandex woven into the denim and our special custom patterns. Even the laundry process and pH factor contribute to how our jeans look and feel.”
With its strongest markets in the northwest, Adiktd attracts both cowgirls nationwide and mainstream fashionistas. Its current offerings include a low rise, mid rise and the aforementioned athletic fit that’s roomier in the upper hip, seat and thigh. The major business revolves around classic boot-cut, straight leg and skinny styles, available in short, regular and long lengths, with 32-, 34- and 36-inch
Tough and durable, practical and comfortable, jeans belong to the history of the West. As cowboys, cowgirls and working ranch hands know, you can’t get the job done without them,
and jeans have become ubiquitous in all other walks of life as well.Jeans have never looked or felt so good, and they never have been
so applicable to so many body types and such a variety of tasks. The clothing lines created from this remarkable, all-American fabric have circled the globe and redefined the well-dressed man and woman.
As the pendulum swings from dark finishes to light, from embellished to plain, from cigarette jeans to straight legs or relaxed, an essential message prevails: Jeans remain a fashion favorite.
According to the May 2014 Indian Textile Journal, five billion pairs of jeans are produced every year.
Although both men and women purchase jeans for work, ca-sual and even dress wear, the power’s undeniably in the purse. According to research conducted for the 2013 Intuit Consumer Spending Index, overall consumer spending increased by 9 per-cent from 2009 to 2013. And although men consistently spend more on such purchases as alcohol and entertainment, when it comes to apparel, the ladies outspend men by more than 20 per-cent. Look to these manufacturers’ brand-new offerings to help you reel the gals — and the guys, too — into your store.
The ubiquitous all-American wardrobe staple leaps from the saddle and the barnyard into
the boardroom and the nightclub — in sizes for every shape and styles for every taste.
by Corinne Joy Brown
DENIMania!DENIMania!LADIES
Western & English Today 21SUMMER 2014 SUMMER 201420 Western & English Today
MON
TANA
WES
T USA
MONTANA WEST USA
PETROL JEANS
ROCK & ROLL COWGIRL
ADIKTD
WHAT WE WRITE ABOUT
Western & English Today helps you sell more to your existing customers. How? Because they have already established a buying relationship with you, they are more inclined to act quickly when they see your new products advertised in Western & English Today. Whether it’s new products you’re introducing, or product lines you’re extending, Western & English Today acts as your “advance team” to your best prospects.
Ad Reservation Deadline: 1/30/15
Materials Due: 2/6/15 Mail Date: 3/3/15
THE SOURCE 2015Legacy for Tomorrow: High School and Collegiate Rodeo are the lifeblood of equestrian sport, and in the 2015 SOURCE, we’ll share how forward-thinking manufacturers are striving to provide grassroots support — and tools for retailers — to assist in growing the next generation and keeping our equestrian tradition alive.Manufacturer Directory: Inquire about Special Advertising Rates for this comprehensive directory including listings both by company name and by product category. Market Distribution: January Denver WESA, January Hopper AETA Expo, February Atlanta WEA, March Dallas International Western Market, August Hopper AETA Expo, August Dallas International Western Market and September Denver WESA.
EARLY SPRING 2015New Western Footwear for 2015: Our annual look at new styles and trends across the Western boot industry. Hondo Boots’ 50th Anniversary: Step inside a Texas legend.English Boots: English boots “get their game on” in eye-popping style… both domestically made and from across the pond.Manufacturer Profile: AriatPlus: Industry News, New Product Roundup, Hot TicketMarket Distribution: Dallas International Western Market, Hopper AETA, Denver WESA, Atlanta WEA
LATE SPRING 2015Fall/Holiday Fashion 2015: 2015 Fall Fashion Forecast, with focus on Holiday Garb.Small Leather: Best of the new wallets, cellphone holders and desk accessories.English Lifestyle Apparel: Haute new looks for out-of-the-saddle times.Manufacturer Profile: TBDPlus: Industry News, New Product Roundup, Hot TicketMarket Distribution: Dallas International Western Market, Hopper AETA, Denver WESA, Atlanta WEA
Ad Reservation Deadline: 11/14/14
Materials Due: 11/21/14 Mail Date: 12/26/14
Ad Reservation Deadline: 4/10/15
Materials Due: 4/17/15 Mail Date: 5/5/15
36 Western & English Today
LATE SPRING 2014LATE SPRING 2014
Western & English Today 37
TUFFRIDER
JUSTIN BOOTS(800) 548-1021 • justinboots.com
For 135 years, Justin Boots has been manufacturing excep-tional, high-quality Western boots. Now in 2014, Justin introduces its English Equestrian Collection. Louis Russo, brand manager for Justin Boots, explains that with the company’s long history in crafting Western boots, Justin took a hard look at what else it could offer.“We saw the opportunity to reach a new consumer in the English market and leveraged our boot-making expertise to reach a new dis-cipline, while still offering the performance and comfort features the Justin name is known for,” Russo says. “With this collection, English riders can enjoy a quality Justin boot at an affordable price.”
One of the most innovative design elements in Justin’s field boot is the medial patch. This feature is made out of a new material,
composed of a high-grip fabric that possesses a “tackiness” that enables riders to better maintain their leg positions.Justin’s merchandise manager, Michael McCarron, says En-glish riders have long been seeking a material that will efficiently secure them in the stirrups and saddle.“The competition until now has always been leather,” McCa-rron says. “But the tackiness, not stickiness, keeps a rider firm in the saddle and prevents the rider’s legs from swinging, so they are ultimately one with the horse.”
Justin’s field boot is built on a semi-curve last, considered more anatomically correct than a straight last.“It’s more comfortable and form-fit-ting to the foot versus a straight last,” says Tassie Munroe, a public-relations coordi-nator for Justin. “It also has a solid rubber outsole, and the forefoot tread pattern is built to stabilize a rider in the stirrup. Plus, it provides a lot of comfort for your foot.”Justin’s field boots feature an innovative footbed with a GPR metatarsal and heel pad for cushion and shock absorption, construct-
ed of polyurethane to retain its buoyancy and not break down over time.
“It (footbed) is actually built a little better than a running shoe insert. It’s incredibly comfortable,” McCarron says. “It’s truly a su-perior footbed versus what the competition is offering.”Munroe does stress, however, that Justin wanted to maintain a very refined, sleek look to its boots without sacrificing comfort.
“In other brands, we’ve noticed a sacrifice in the aesthetics to provide comfort,” she says. “We wanted to maintain that elegant, refined look, while adding additional comfort features.”Justin uses a soft calf-like leather that presents the look of calf-skin at a lower price point. McCarron says that Justin used the highest-quality back zipper on the market (upper 10 YKK), and it even added a zipper keeper with a snap for extra security. Justin’s paddock boots have the same outsole and footbed as those of the tall boot, and the double lateral and medial gore maintains the shape for life. Justin extended the leather from each quarter to cover the zipper teeth to eliminate dirt and debris from infiltrating the zipper. As with the field boot, the back spur rest is made of TPU (thermo-plastic urothene) to allow more longevity in the spur rest.
Justin’s half-chaps, available in black or chocolate, have the same gripping material on the inside of the calf that the field boot has for added security in the saddle.“We’ve also included a stretch panel in the back on both sides, so the chaps are more versatile to be worn with jeans or breeches,” Munroe says. “We did a back zip design on the half-chap to pro-vide a more traditional look. So when riders combine our pad-dock boots with our half-chaps, the appearance is quite similar to that of the tall boots.”
The new Wellesley from TuffRid-er offers the look and feel of a custom boot, yet it retails for less than $300. Crafted of butter-soft leather, it’s a boot both stylish and com-fortable — and definitely a boot that can not only work well in any English riding discipline but also do double duty as a fashion boot for an elegant evening out.The Spanish-top boot features a full back zipper with a snap button enclosure at the top and bottom. A discreet rubber spur shelf is functional but doesn’t disrupt the clean, classic line of the boot, which is accented by a traditional stitched toe cap. The zipper enclosure and a supe-rior stretch panel allow for the com-fortable, custom fit around the calf and ankle that generally isn’t attainable at such a low price. A range of fits — X-Slim, Slim, Regular and Wide — and sizes from 6 to 11 fur-ther enhance the custom look, as well as the comfort, of these boots. MSRP: $279.95.
M ountain Horse, revered for its elegant yet sturdy boots, is offering two new innovative boots that were constructed for durability, ideal grip and shock ab-sorption. The Venice Jr. Field Boot, re-plete with a strong, durable full-length ykk Vislon back zipper, also has a cov-ered, inside elastic gusset for additional comfort. This boot has eight sets of eyelets with fixed elastic lacing, a spur rest, an er-gonomically designed removable EVA in-sole and two removable insoles. The sole system has a built-in steel shank for increased stabili-ty, and the heel is fitted with IPS shock-absorbing technolo-gy — a benefit whether riders are in or out of the saddle. A durable and slim-contoured outsole has dirt-repellent tread zones and also provides for an enhanced grip in the stirrups. Mountain Horse’s Carbon Boa gives paddock boots a new edge with its Boa lacing system and Carbon Tech outsole. This paddock also has a sleek aerodynamic-inspired design, featuring Boa dial-in lace technology. This feature (with dial-in-motion) offers secure and comfortable individual lacing while evenly dis-persing metatarsal pressure. The boots also has a Carbon Tech outsole, with weight-reducing heel sides, along with an ergonom-ic arch, supported by frame technology. Further, this paddock has a full 360-degree foot component, equipped with multi-layered Gel Tech Optimum shock-absorb-ing technology, specifically engineered to reduce fatigue in a rid-er’s feet, knees and back. MSRPs: Venice Jr. Field Boot: $189; Carbon Boa Paddock: $249.
TREDSTEP IRELAND+353 1 2950598 • tredstep.com
Aidan Keogh, a designer for Tredstep Ireland, fittingly named his assembly of boots The Renaissance Collection, as he believes in maintaining the quintessential style of
the classical English riding boot. “I always have a very specific design aesthetic in mind for our products,” Keogh says. “But there’s a practical approach to every-thing we do as well — meaning we try to look at things like fit, style and materials from the rider’s point of view.”The first boot to debut in the collection was the Da Vinci field boot, which fuses innovative design with elegant lines and is made of Italian calfskin leather with a full-grain leather lining. The boot’s full-length rear zipper is supported by a flexible spine to maintain the boot’s height; plus, the Da Vinci has a classic Eu-ropean topline, side spur rests and a zip guard. The Da Vinci is also replete with Tredstep’s Pro-Flex design
hile both English and Western riders rely on their boots in and out of the saddle, English boots
vastly differ from their Western counterparts. Western boots not only thrive on their durability and
detailed craftsmanship, but also on the boundless creativity of their intricate designs. English riding
boots, however, reflect their traditional and aristocratic heritage.Although classical aesthetics continue to drive the design of English boots, the current crop offers improved
comfort, support and durability, with features including ultra-cushioned footbeds for shock absorption, moisture-
and odor-wicking capabilities, and high tech zippers and laces … all coupled with state-of-the-art elegance.
JUSTIN
MOUNTAIN HORSE
English boot manufacturers are injecting cutting-edge technology and never-before comfort into classic, elegant silhouettes.
Alana Harrison
CUTTING-EDGE COMFORT
English Elegance,
16 Western & English Today LATE SPRING 2014 LATE SPRING 2014 Western & English Today 17
Wild at Heart
PHOTOGRAPHY AND STYLING: Michael & Shelle Neese | Studio Seven Productions | Albuquerque, NM | studiosevenproductions.comHAIR, MAKEUP AND STYLING: Cheryl Downing | Celina, Texas, and Kata Baron | The Pretty Committee | Albuquerque, NMASSISTANT STYLIST: Haley Wells BlackwellMODELS: Cara Ovis | Jenny Gabriel | Samantha Fowler | Jessica Stoddard | Bobby Conklin | Jade Scott Lewis
2014 FALL FASHION FORECASTExcitement reigns as the Year of the Horse brings a renewed interest in all things equine — and fashion’s at the forefront.
Our industry’s best designers and manufacturers are readying fall collections to feast upon: plummy purples, candy-apple reds, harvest-moon golds, pumpkin-hued oranges, azure-sky blues and a rich palette of browns from caramel to pecan.
Hemlines, which historically rise and fall with the stock market, soar to dizzying heights, anchored with an understory of leggings and tall boots. Knitwear — especially long jackets, coats and shawls — shares the stage with furs, both faux and real. Reinvigorated paisleys, serape weaves, Aztec prints and mulit-dimensional dye-washed plaids provide an array of layering opportunities paired with denim in a wide range of washes, finishes and embellishments. Your customers will love this! — SLE
32 Western & English Today
EARLY SPRING 2014
JAMA/OLD WEST
GIRLS
fter Bill W. Hippel lost his job
at Acme Boot Company in
2000, he approached Jama/Old
West with an odd request — at
least in the eyes of his bosses.
“I said, ‘All I want is your kids
business,’ and they’d tell me, ‘You can’t
make a living on just kids boots,’” Hippel
recalls. “I said, ‘I really want to try.’”
After 28 years with Acme, which
was founded in 1939 to make boots
for children, Hippel understood that
companies could find success with lines
for those younger boot wearers.
He’s still at it. Jama/Old West has
become one of the industry leaders in
children’s boots. “The kids business is
really, really strong,” Hippel says. “It’s
crazy.”“Crazy.” “Hot.” “Strong.” “Amazing.”
Take your pick. Across the board, boot
companies — from old-schoolers like
Dan Post, Justin and Rocky Brands to
relative newcomers such as Cinch, Corral
and Tin Haul (and practically everyone in
between) — are reporting major increases
in the children’s lines.
“Everybody’s kids business is
phenomenal,” says Bobby Smith, Miller
International’s vice president who
oversees the bootmaking operations of
Cinch, Johnny Ringo and Rod Patrick.
“I don’t know if we’re just in the
right place at the right time, but our
kids business has grown in a real good
way,” says Bob Thorp, CEO of Smoky
Mountain Boots, which has a large
selection of boots in the children’s
category. “We’re getting into more and
more houses, and our return factor is so
low — 1 percent — and that means you’re
getting good prices and that the boots are
wearing and lasting.”
Even Rocky Brands is pushing its
children’s lines this year. “Even though it’s
We’re not kidding: Boots for the small fry are big-time business.
By Johnny D. Boggs
DURANGO GIRLS
JUSTIN
GYPSY DUST
GIRLS
DAN POST
GIRLS
ROCKY WRX GIRLS
CORRAL GIRLS
Western & English Today adds productivity to sales calls. We all know how expensive in-person sales calls are. Consistent trade advertising keeps your brand and your new products in front of retailers — so that when your sales rep walks through the retailer’s door, the manager is more likely to say, “I just saw your new line in Western & English Today,” than “what new line?” The pre-selling work we do puts you well on the road to a sale.
WHAT WE WRITE ABOUT
Ad Reservation Deadline: 5/29/15
Materials Due: 6/5/15 Mail Date: 6/30/15
SUMMER 2015State of the Industry Report: Web-Only White Paper: Western & English Today’s annual in-depth survey of the Western and English retail market.Holiday Jewelry Extravaganza: See what jewelry designers have in store for your store for the upcoming holiday season.Belts: These belts are the crowning glory to the well-dressed look — with styles to perform in the arena , impress in the boardroom, and dazzle in the nightclubs.Manufacturer Profile: KabanaPlus: Industry News, New Product Roundup, Hot TicketMarket Distribution: Dallas International Western Market, Hopper AETA, Denver WESA, Atlanta WEA
FALL 2015Spring Fashion 2016: Western & English Today’s photo shoot/forecast of Spring 2016 fashions, footwear and accessories.Fine Art and Wall Décor: ASID interior designer Corinne Joy Brown picks the best new offerings among fine art, wall décor and wall hangings to help stores develop this profitable.Understanding Marketing to Trainers & Instructors: Here are some tips on how your products and your store can best maximize the influence that trainers and instructorsEquiTech: Sock It to Me: Developments in technical socks, foot warmersManufacturer Profile: TBDPlus: Industry News, New Product Roundup, Hot TicketMarket Distribution: Dallas International Western Market, Hopper AETA, Denver WESA, Atlanta WEA
Ad Reservation Deadline: 7/24/15
Materials Due: 7/31/15 Mail Date: 8/25/15
32 Western & English Today LATE SPRING 2014 LATE SPRING 2014 Western & English Today 33
From a beach bag to an overnighter, the practical tote bag can pack a laptop, lunch and extra shoes. But practical doesn’t mean homely. In fact, this season’s designs are simply breathtaking!
Texas Hill Country couple Alex and Robin Hewes created Arloom to showcase the richness of Guatemala’s vivid colors and contribute to the local
economies of the talented village artisans they met on their journeys there. Each bag is crafted from a huipil — an intricately woven woman’s blouse with elaborate designs that often take a month to create — then crafted into a bag and trimmed with genuine leather. From large travel bags to totes, purses and accessories, look to Arloom as a source for handbags destined to become cherished heirlooms. Shown is the Arloom Mini-Weekender with a retail price of $295.
Soul Shine Horse Wear (also makers of show-stopping saddle pads) reinvents the tote by
combining hand-woven fabrics from Central American indigenous tribes with American ingenuity. Textiles and leather
come together in a series of brilliant tote bags that steal your heart while enriching the artisans’ lives, as
Florida-based Nicole Kristmann returns a share of her profits to them. Kristmann may be the Indiana Jones of the handbag world, venturing far and wide into remote jungles with a translator, in search of unique materials to make her unique designs. Best of all, these bags retail under $200 and are as easy on the eyes as they are on the check card.
Trenditions, a Wrangler licensee, offers the Wrangler Rock 47 “Emery” tote, a super look with a suggested retail price of $72.99. It features turquoise overlays on a faux-suede body in a unique hand-drawn design. Detailed Western buckles enhance decorative outer pockets. A bright contrast handle revs it up.
As its name implies, Totem Salvaged in Glendale, Calif., repurposes old materials with new uses. Owner Stephanie Larrowe likes to mix it up, combining canvas needlepoint, Tibetan sheepskins, vintage fabrics and even bridle leathers. Her 19-by-19-inch serape fabric line of tote bags
Every day, an American woman must choose which purse to carry. She can never
have too many ... and here are some stellar reasons why.
By Corinne Joy Brown
feature magnetic closures, inside pockets, handles with studded attachments, lined interiors and a support structure to make them strong. With a background in clothing design, Larrowe makes totes that are one of a kind. Retailers order from basic styles, but deliveries will vary. Suggested retail is $550 to $700.
KurtMen in Martindale, Texas, takes it up a notch with vibrant colors, custom leather treatments and unique embellishments. Owners/designers Kristy Kurtz and Ed Mendoza use real Italian leather in eye-popping colors such as electric blue, sky-blue turquoise, ballpark-mustard
yellow and lipstick red, and customers swoon over the intricate cutouts, appliqués and special leather washes. Totes all have large roomy interiors with cellphone pockets and a zipper pocket for security. Suggested retail prices ($230 to $680) reflect the sumptuous elegance and painstaking craftsmanship. Other handbag types and shapes abound naturally; wallets, too.
Sophistication plus fun describes the creations of Texas-based Consuela Style, incredibly clever totes for travel or the beach. Different collections run from whimsical to tailored. Some feature colorful embroidery; all have decorative contrast seam welting for strength. Owner/designer Conni Reed likes uniting fabrics in unexpected, non-matching combinations. The Signature Collection, inspired by Saint Tropez, France, is made of the finest Italian leathers, embellished with signature hardware. Suggested retail is $200 to $1,200. The Western lifestyle-targeted Marfa Collection uses leather handles, decorative stitching and textural leathers. Interiors are cleanable vinyl. The Grande Tote is a weekender bag; it’s expandable, with an interior zippered pouch for valuables.
Double J Saddlery makes saddles destined to become family heirlooms, so it’s no surprise its fine leather tote bags are
keepers, too. Kristyn DeBord recommends the big or medium-size totes, made with magnetic closures and
an inside zipper pocket. Perfect for daily wear or travel, the larger one is 14 by 14 inches square with
inside organizers. Double J likes leather that’s not too stiff and usually embossed on the
surface; some even hand-tooled. All totes have a durable saddle leather bottom.
Inside, like fine
HandbagsWhether it’s a purse, a hobo, a slouch bag, a satchel or simply a handbag — this medium-size category embraces a range of personas from utilitarian to understated elegance to major status symbol.
American West knows something about handbags; Louise de Kok has built a stellar business around them. A stunning cheetah print bag with leather trim (MSRP $280) was launched in spring 2014. Other designs hint at Southwestern influences. The new Eagle Heart collection offers three different silhouettes, all with appliquéd leather, an eagle motif and handsome topstitching. It retails from $145 to $238. “A Heart of Gold” is a structured hobo style with a 12-inch shoulder drop. Color combinations include gray/brown with cream, a gold-tone tan or deep crimson and chocolate, with a suggested retail of $248. The “Free As A Bird” collection, a smaller bag, offers five fun, tooled leather colors for spring/summer, including salmon, orange cream, pale turquoise and purple, for only $130. “Rockabilly,” a fringed bag, retails for $164. A full line of coordinating wallets and accessories complement most of these.
Kippys continues to dazzle customers with over-the-top fantasies in leather and imported crystal studs — soft, supple and sensuous bags that turn heads.
“Most bags today need to have more compartments,” says Bob Kipperman, designer/owner. “People have more devices.” Today’s glamour handbag by Kippy might combine a mixture of leathers, including reptile prints, animal prints or even a tooled effect, plus natural and metallic-look leathers, all amazingly soft to the touch. Bronze patina (verdigris) and anodized metal hardware are hot. Summer’s eclectic looks embrace aquatic pearls, Swarovski crystals in soft greens, shining Pacific opals and smoky whites—a palette like pale fire. Add Kippys’ signature lining, quality zipper closures and/or heavy magnetic tabs, and you’ve got pure luxury that’s unmistakably Kippys. Suggested retail is $900 to $1,500.
Totes
H eavenly Handbags
ARLOOM
SOUL SHINE HORSE WEAR
TRENDITIONS
TOTEM SALVAGE
DOUBLE J SADDLERY
CONSUELA STYLE
KIPPYS
AMERICAN WEST
cowboy boots, you’ll find leather, too. Superior pig suede lining is surprisingly easy to clean. Look for the Double J hang-tag medallion and the stitched-on logo inside. New colors include cream, turquoise, vibrant coral and embossed iguana. Suggested retail is $300 to $1,000.
KURTMEN PHO
TO: E
RIC
ALA
N S
MIT
H
12 Western & English Today
Western & English Today 13
LATE SPRING 2014LATE SPRING 2014
DESIGNER profile
Pure TashaEarly on, Tasha Polizzi hitched her star to the meteoric rise of ascending fashion
luminaries; today, she shines independently with her eponymous label.
The SUV wheels up to the baggage area curb,
and cowboy boots-and-jeans-clad father and
son Jack and John wave a greeting. John’s a
familiar face from numerous years at the Denver
WESA and Dallas markets; Jack — tall, rugged and
as broad-shouldered as an NFL linebacker — is
a new one. The men stow my gear, we strap in, and
Jack punches the gas feed to spur the 400-plus horses
under the General Motors hood to begin climbing the
mountainous roads of …
… Massachusetts?
Yep; Massachusetts. We’re headed to the Berkshire
Mountain village of Great Barrington, headquarters
of Tasha Polizzi Design Studio. Tasha’s husband, Jack
, is the company president and son John serves as the
director of public relations. Spring is just beginning
to grace the Bershires; fuzzy-headed pussy willows
and bud-laden forsythia are the first intrepid ones
to dare attempt blooming after the unusually harsh
winter and subsequent late spring. On our way, we
pass through Stockbridge, the quaint hometown of
Norman Rockwell, which houses the world’s largest
collection of his work, and past the Old Trinity Church
— you know, the one where the Alice of Arlo Guthrie’s
“Alice’s Restaurant” lived — and along the picturesque
Housatonic River, burbling and chattering over rocks
and under bridges past old, mostly boarded-up, turn-
of-the-century red brick textile mills.
Article and photos by Susan L. Ebert
TASHA POLIZZI CREW:
From left to right: John
Polizzi, director of public
relations, Ashley Polizzi,
merchandise manager;
Jane Wright, director
of sales; Jack Polizzi,
president; Tasha Polizzi,
CEO; Maria Spraat,
production manager; and
Audrey Downer, design
director. Not shown are
Karman Wu, sample
maker; Joe Salzano, head
of operations ; Dave Miller,
warehouse manager; and
Penny Holt, Western U.S.
sales manager.
It seems an unusual location for one of
the Western fashion industry’s most iconic
designers. How Tasha and her family came
to plant their roots there is even a more
unusual story.
FLASHBACK TO THE SEVENTIES
Today’s fashionistas might not know the
name Geoffrey Beene, but back in the day,
Beene reigned as one of New York’s most
famous fashion designers. By 1982, Beene
had earned his eighth Coty American
Fashion Critics’ Award, the most of any
fashion designer. In 1984, the Council of
Fashion Designers of America created the
Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement
Award; the list of winners reads like
a “Who’s Who” of the fashion world,
including Bill Blass, Georgio Armani,
Oscar De La Renta, Ralph Lauren, Yves
Saint Laurent, Calvin Klein, Karl Lagerfeld,
Donna Karan, Tommy Hilfiger and Vera
Wang.But back in the ’70s, two recent high
school grads in Pittsburgh sure knew that
name. One of them, Susan, aspired to
become a Beene model and was determined
to drive to New York to audition. For moral
support, she brought along her good friend
Tasha. “The New York fashion scene was
a world away from what I knew growing
up outside Pittsburg,” says Tasha, “where I
fished and hunted rabbits and deer with my
father. I went to keep Susan company.”
So imagine young Tasha’s surprise when
Mr. Beene opened his office door to check
out the modeling candidates and pointed
at her, saying, “ You. Get dressed.” When
he offered her a job, Tasha was shocked —
and coaxed him into also hiring her friend
Susan. Tasha would become Geoffrey
Beene’s house model.
“I really got an education on how
clothes are made,” says Tasha. “Geoffrey
was a fabulous mentor and teacher, and so
generous with his knowledge.”
After working with Beene, she signed
with a modeling agency — mostly doing
runway modeling, both in the U.S. and
in fashion shows throughout Europe. “I
was known for my ‘chameleon’ look,” she
continues. “I could take on the personality
of the apparel I was modeling. I loved the
‘story’ of the clothes; I would try to imagine
the woman who wore them, and become
her. “Those days, the prominent designers
— Perry Ellis, Bill Blass, Ralph Lauren —
all traveled in the same circles. Ralph and I
had a special synergy and held many lively
discussions on fashion design. I had been
running around in my dad’s old hunting
jacket for years and loved everything Ralph
embodied. Ralph saw the designer within
me: He told me to come see him when I
tired of modeling, and he would teach me
everything he knew about design.”
Tasha took him up on it, and for the
next 10 years she would be Lauren’s chief of
women’s design, followed by several years
as director of women’s and men’s design for
Calvin Klein.When Tasha and Jack met and married,
the big-city bustle and fast-paced world of
New York fashion lost some of its luster
and they both began yearning for a simpler
life. “Especially after the boys (they have
two sons; John and Chris, who is currently
a football coach at the University of Iowa)
were born,” she says. “I didn’t want my sons
to be raised by a nanny. I wanted them to
have the same sort of childhood I did,
running around in the woods and through
the country meadows.”
The Berkshires — Jack and Tasha’s
favorite weekend getaway, about two
hours’ drive from the city — offered that
environment, but no viable employment
prospects. “More and more New Yorkers
were buying second homes in the
Berkshires,” says Tasha, “ but there really
wasn’t any place to shop.” The couple
decided to open a store in Great Barrington;
THE STORE THAT STARTED IT ALL: T.P. Saddleblanket,
on Great Barrington’s Main Street, will celebrate its 25th
anniversary in 2015. Here, Tasha curates a delightful
collection of rustic home décor, table linens and dishes,
reproductions of vintage signage, jewelry and, naturally,
her own label of bedding, decorative pillows and apparel
— along with that of a handful of other Western designers.
30 Western & English Today SUMMER 2014 SUMMER 2014 Western & English Today 31
“Man, if I could outguess these cowboys, I wouldn’t be making hats,” says Brooks Atwood, hatmaker for Frankston, Texas-based Atwood Hat Co.
Wider brims still rule the market.“Our line used to be dominated by 3½-inch and 4-inch
brim hats, but now 4¼-inch and 4½-inch brims are commonplace,” says Frank Kinney, vice president of sales/national sales manager for Garland, Texas-based Milano Hat Co. “Larger-brim felts is a growing business. It started as a regional trend, but we have seen it grow across the country and demographic.”
Same old story. But it’s not the same old hat. “Although our wider Western-style brims are still the most popular, our super-short-brim styles (2¼- to 23/4-inch) sell well,” says Outback Trading Co.’s hat merchandiser Bessie Good. “Brown and black are the most popular colors.”
While black’s still in, and so is silverbelly, other colors are becoming popular and even more are being introduced.
“We have some really exciting colors to offer from 6X to 20X,” says Kaci Riggs, director of product development for Garland, Texas-based HatCo, which manufactures Stetson, Resistol, Charlie 1 Horse and Wrangler hats. Those colors include charcoal, walnut and desert tan.
But Stetson and company aren’t the only hatmakers expanding their color selections.
“Colors continue to grow beyond the standards of black, white, buckskin, silverbelly and chocolate,” says Trent L. Johnson of Greeley Hatworks, in Greeley, Colo. “We have had a demand
Bigger brims, new looks rule as popularityof Western hats continues expansion.
by Johnny D. Boggs
NEVER
BETTER!
It’s the same old story in
Western felt hats this year:
BIGGER brims. But is this trend
ever going to change?
for more options in earth tones. More olives, browns and bronzes. We also have seen an increase in more primary-type colors. Navy, ivory, red and purple hues have seen a huge increase over 2013.”
Milano has added natural and granite — “terrific additions to the line,” Kinney says. Bowie, Texas-based American Hat Co. is seeing increased interest in pecan, steel and chocolate colors on felts.
“When you notice some of the young trendsetting rodeo stars like Tuf Cooper wearing these colors, it doesn’t take long for the general public to pick that up,” American Hat Co. president Keith Mundee says.
The trends are being established by younger hat wearers.“Most of that changing trend is with the kids,” Atwood says.
“Guys my age have been wearing the same kind of hat forever and they don’t want to change much.”
That’s standard for most manufacturers. Older customers are more conservative and
keep going back to the tried-and-true classic
STETSON
CHARLIE 1 HORSE
AMERICAN HAT CO.
WRANGLER
RESISTOL
LARRY MAHAN
JUSTIN
GREELEY HATWORKS
22 Western & English Today
Western & English Today 23
EARLY SPRING 2014EARLY SPRING 2014
“There’s a boot for everyone.”Square toe. Snip toe. R toe. Steel toe. Ceramic toe. … Fringe. Bling. Studs. … Riding. Work. Casual. Crossover. Fashion. … Distressed. Metallic. Waterproof. Flame resistant. Blanket Tops. … Print. Cowhide. Caiman. Ostrich. Crocodile. Bull shoulder. South American fish hide. … Embroidery. Inlay. Overlay. Laser stitching. … Conservative. Crazy. … And price points from
“Here’s my check card” to “Time to take out a second mortgage.” All were evident at the Western & English Sales Association’s January market in Denver.“Again, it’s everything that I’ve been telling you for the past few years,” says Greg Hensley, Dan Post Boot Company’s director of public relations and special events. “Business is still good. Our ladies business is strong, and the cycle’s going longer
than anyone can believe. All signs indicate that this is going to be another great year.”Which doesn’t mean that nothing has changed.For one thing, many boot manufacturers are addressing consumer demands for more moderate price points, especially in the core market.
Cinch Boots has expanded its price-point offerings in Cinch and Cinch Edge by lowering its retail starting point from $275 to $199. “In this category, $129-$189 has tons of volume, but in traditional Western, if you can capture $199-$249, that’s a big volume pocket,” says Miller International vice president Bobby Smith, who oversees the bootmaking operations for Cinch, Johnny Ringo and Rod Patrick.“Two years ago, the big-volume price point was probably around $300,” Hensley says, “but now that has become $250, which makes our Laredo brand more important than ever.”Nocona Boots has a more affordable boot, featuring rubber outsoles and laser inlays, in its Competitor line.Stetson is trying to hit the $225 price point. “It’s catching a whole new customer,” says Kerry Vastine, vice president operations at Karman, which manufactures Stetson and Roper.That also has boosted Roper’s “faux” line of new prints. “It’s a handmade boot out of Mexico, with the same exact quality,” Vastine says. “It’s just a print, but it’s really hard to tell the difference.“The faux stuff continues to work well for us as a price-point-driven business. It’s getting the person across the street, the person who doesn’t usually wear cowboy boots, without him having to
invest a lot of money.”Which is why Corral Boots introduced its Circle G line a few years ago, and why this year that economy line has expanded. “It’s hitting a need for a boot in that price point,” Corral owner Othell Welch says.
“But at this point, it’s kind of hard to zero in on exactly what the direction is because it’s so across the board.”Because there’s a boot for everyone, remember?That’s why Tony Lama is coming out with a new “A” toe (think French recessed dress toe), with a hand-tooled pattern at the top and Nile crocodile foot. “It’s very, very sleek, very detailed, and is the highest price point in our line at $2,600,” says Monica McCall, promotions and PR coordinator for Justin Brands. “It’s for the businessman who wants a very nice clean boot.”
It’s why Black Jack Boots and Rios of Mercedes, both specializing in stylish upper-end boots, have introduced boots made of pirarucu, an Amazon predator fish that produces an exotic skin that is soft and stunning.“Every year, our sales in exotics increase,” says Black Jack sales representative Sergio A. Guerra. “Three years ago, we were up 30 percent. Last year, we were up 74 percent.”
It’s why Lucchese has come out with 15 to 20 “new, edgy designs in a lot of new styles, new materials” for men and women, marketing director Mario Vega says.
Decidedly not a fashion fad, Western boots reign supreme in both the core market and in mainstream fashion — with no signs of waning appeal.By Johnny D. Boggs
It ’s a Love EVERLASTING for Western Boots
LAREDO
DINGO
CINCH
STETSON
CINCH EDGE
STETSON
ROD PATRICK
CORRAL
CIRCLE G BY CORRAL
RIOS OF MERCEDES
BLACK JACK
TONY LAMA
TONY LAMA
ABOVE: Ladies’ boots from left to right: Distressed brown with rivets and turquoise eagle underlay from Stetson Boots; glorified harness boot with eagle design
in rivets by Dingo; sanded brown with cross underlay by Laredo Boots; the Redwood in tan and green by Oak Tree Farms; and the chocolate full-studded boot
by Corral Boots. INSET: Embroidered dragonfly in bone on distressed brown from Circle G by Corral Boots. ABOVE: From left to right: Ladies’ Queenism from Cinch Edge Boots; men’s wide square toe with red shaft by Stetson Boots; men’s full quill ostrich in tobacco by Rod
Patrick Bootmaker; men’s San Saba Series Maverick Toro in treebark by Tony Lama; men’s Signature Series Nile crocodile in brandy by Tony Lama; ladies’ Mad Dog
in cognac by Cinch Boots and men’s buckaroo by Rios of Mercedes Boots. INSET : Men’s burnished crocodile with handtooled shaft by Black Jack Boots.
OAK TREE FARMS
2015 ADVERTISING RATES*
Ad Size 1x 3x 5x
Full Page $4,180 $3,867 $3,553
Two-Thirds Page $3,434 $3,176 $2,919
One-Half Page $2,942 $2,721 $2,501
One-Third Page $2,229 $2,062 $1,895
One-Quarter Page $1,869 $1,729 $1,589
One-Sixth Page $1,381 $1,277 $1,174
MarketPlace (One-Ninth Page) $445 $400 $370
Cover Exclusives
Covers II & III $4,598 $4,253 $3,908
Cover IV $5,016 $4,640 $4,264
* The above rates apply to the four regular issues: Early Spring, Late Spring, Summer and Fall. Please inquire about Special Promotional Rates for the January SOURCE Edition.
WHAT IT COSTS
Western & English Today is cost-effective. At the one-time, four-color, full-page rate of $4,180, it costs you less than 42 cents per retailer to reach all the nation’s best prospects for selling your products. You can’t even mail them all a First-Class letter for that; let alone, your advertising message printed on 60-pound coated stock, and wrapped in dozens of messages and marketing tips to increase their store’s profitability.
SPECIAL DISCOUNTS• Five percent discount forWestern & English
Today clients with a current contract in Cowboys & Indians.
• Fifteen percent agency discount• Five percent discount for AETA members
BILLING INFORMATION• Payment is due by the Space Reservation
Deadline.• Credit terms of Net 30 Days from invoice
date will be extended to companies with approved credit with Cowboys & Indians or Western & English Today.
• First-time advertisers are only eligible for credit terms on 50 percent of the contracted rate. The remainder must be prepaid.
• Finance charges will be charged at the rate of 1.5 percent per month on any past-due balances.
ADVERTISING INFORMATION• Bleed ads: no additional charge.• Rates are determined by the total space
used within a 12-month period, dating from first insertion. Earned frequency is determined by total number of insertions, not issues.
• Cancellations must be received in writing on or before ad issue closing date.
• Short rates will be billed on cancellation of contract or failure to fulfill minimum contract requirements.
INSERT INFORMATION• For rates on inserts and/or outserts, consult
publisher.• Ad copy and stock weight for inserts and
outserts must be approved by the publisher in advance of publication.
• A facsimile or PDF of each insert or outsert indicating proposed copy areas and trim edges must be submitted to publisher for approval. A final copy of the insert or outsert must be approved in advance of issue by publisher.
• Advertiser supplies preprinted inserts or outserts in sufficient quantity to match press run of issue.
• Publisher has the right to require that the word “Advertisement” be printed on any insert resembling editorial or run-of-book material.
• All inserts and outserts must meet U.S. Postal Service requirements.
Western & English Today is printed four-color process, web offset. Please use this checklist before sending your files. If you have any questions about our guidelines, contact Jonathan Fehr, Production Director, at (214) 239-6974.
LAYOUT CHECKLISTPhotoshop & Illustrator All image files have been updated and embedded Type has been converted to outlines or fonts are provided Resolution is 300 dpi
Page Layout Programs (Quark, InDesign, etc.) Color mode is CMYK Document is built to correct size (i.e. full page is 8'' x 10.75'')
Bleed ads have an additional .125'' bleed included on all sides All image files have been updated All fonts and images are provided to us Type uses no menu-styled fonts (where you hit ‘b’ for bold, ‘i’ for italic) Crop marks, registration marks and color bars are offset by at least .125'' On bleed ads: Please keep all live matter, such as type and logos, inside the trim by .25''
PDF CHECKLIST Please include your company name in the file name; please do not name your file “W&E ad” Resolution is 300 dpi All fonts embedded Crop marks, registration marks and color bars are offset by at least .125''
HOW TO BUILD YOUR AD
Western & English Today helps grow your market share.The consistent, high-quality message that you send to the nation’s retailers every time they pick up an issue of Western & English Today makes them more likely to buy from you at trade shows or during a sales call. With your advertising, you can establish a consistent message and a predisposition to buy among prospective retailers at a modest out-of-pocket cost.
Send collected, stuffed (or zipped) files via e-mail to: [email protected], or upload those files to our ftp site:
ftp.cowboysindians.com • user name: candi • password: ci7508222
Or, send A CD along with a SWOP proof to:
Western & English Today Advertising Dept. 6688 N. Central Expwy., Suite 650 Dallas, TX 75206
Western & English Today will not be responsible for color reproduction if a SWOP proof is not provided.
NON-BLEED ADS
2-Page Spread Non-Bleed 15.5'' x 10.25''
Full Page Non-Bleed 7.5'' x 10.25''
2/3 Vertical Non-Bleed 4.625'' x 9.75''
1/2 Vertical Non-Bleed 3.425'' x 9.75''
1/3 Horizontal Non-Bleed 4.625’’ x 4.75’’
1/6 Vertical Non-Bleed 2.25’’ x 4.75’’
1/6 Horizontal Non-Bleed 4.625’’ x 2.25’’
1/2 Horizontal Non-Bleed 7’’ x 4.75’’
1/2 Island Non-Bleed 4.625’’ x 7.125’’
1/3 Vertical Non-Bleed 2.25’’ x 9.75’’
1/4 Vertical Non-Bleed 3.425’’ x 4.75’’
BLEED ADS
2-Page Spread Bleed Trim: 16'' x 10.75'' Pull Bleed to: 16.25 x 11''
Full Page Bleed Trim: 8'' x 10.75'' Pull Bleed to: 8.25'' x 11''
2/3 Vertical Bleed Trim: 5’’ x 10.75’’ Pull Bleed to: 5.25’’ x 11’’
1/2 Vertical Bleed Trim: 4’’ x 10.75’’ Pull Bleed to: 4.25’’ x 11’’
1/2 Horizontal Bleed Trim: 8’’ x 5.25’’ Pull Bleed to: 8.25’’ x 5.5’’
1/3 Vertical Bleed Trim: 2.85’’ x 10.75’’ Pull Bleed to: 3.1’’ x 11’’
