West-dressed can wrangle new gear at stock show, local shops
The National Western Stock Show isn’t the only big gathering of people interested in all things Western that takes place in Denver each January. The Denver Mart Jan. 15-19 will be full of exhibitors and buyers of Western clothing and accessories as well as tack, leather goods, and other products.
Unlike the stock show, the Western/English Apparel & Equipment Market is not open to the public, but what’s bought and sold there will soon be making its way to stores. And with all the manufacturers in town, established Western wear retailers tend to roll out the cowskin rug and welcome people to their stores.
Roxanne Thurman, longtime owner of Cry Baby Ranch in Larimer Square, will be holding her annual boot show and party at 7 p.m. Saturday at her store, 1421 Larimer St. (Interested in attending? Call 303-6233979, or send an e-mail to crybabyranch @gmail.com.)
Tony Benattar of Toronto-based Liberty Boots will be on hand to take orders for the company’s custommade boots.
Other featured guests at the event will be Mark Alexander and Mieke Rotsaert of Peyote Bird Designs, who will show their jewelry. The company is headquartered in Santa Fe, N.M. and sells vintage as well as new work from Native American designers and other artists.
In addition, photographer Jim Arndt will sign books of his work including, “Art of the Boot,” and “Buckaroo Boots.”
Rockmount Ranch Wear is another destination for people who collect western wear. The clothing and accessory company’s headquarters at 1626 Wazee St. doubles as a retail store, selling its signature snapfront shirts for men, women and children, as well as a variety of boots, hats, scarves, belts and other western accessories.
Steve Weil, whose late father and grandfather started the business, is the current president of Rockmount. He says they’re releasing spring styles this week to offer something new to visitors in town for the stock show.
Among the new patterns are arrow prints, paisleys and jaquards for men and women, and vintage-inspired embroidered styles for children.
“Prints are doing really well right now,” said Weil, who wholesales shirts to retailers around the country, as well as in Europe and Asia. Rockmont has also built a following with musicians and currently in the company’s offerings are limited edition shirts created in conjunction with the Avett Brothers and the estate of the late John Denver.
Weil also collaborates with Southwestern artists to reproduce their paintings on silk ties and scarves and for spring the company is releasing designs from New Mexico artist Jeff Segler.
(For store hours and more information, call 303-629-7777; or e-mail info@rockmount.com)
Other local boutiques that cater to contemporary cowgirls and cowboys: Wilde Belle, 377 S. Teller St., Lakewood, 720-515-2299, shopwildebelle.com; Tough Luck Cowboy, 2050 Broadway, Boulder, 303-440-4042; toughluckcowboy.com