A True West Rag
I have a soft spot for True West Magazine. It was one of my grandpa Odie’s favorites. I remember him kicking back in his avocado-green recliner reading one of three things:
- AQHA – American Quarter Horse Association Magazine (He could quote you the entire pedigree of Easy Jet backwards and forwards)
- Louis L’Amour novels
- and True West Magazine
Grandpa Odie, his colt, and True West
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True West Magazine fascinated me because it featured real stories from real people about the real west. Nothing glossy about it, just down to earth daring tales of Indian raids, outlaws, the US Cavalry, and early western settlements. I can recall one amazing account of two boys captured by the Comanche Indians. They were kidnapped and assimilated with “wild injuns” for several years before they returned to “civilization”. As a young kid, I found that absolutely fascinating.
Last week I got an email from True West Magazine. They wanted to let us know Double D Ranch™ was featured in an editorial about Native American inspired fashion.
Now, isn’t that a nice circle of life!
“Indian Inspired Fashion” by G. Daniel DeWeese is a little essay on Native American garb highlighting a particular dressing of Chief Sitting Bull. DeWeese then shifts to describe how these early native trappings influence contemporary designers today. Double D Ranch™ is generously included with our Peace Blanket Jacket linking the native trade blanket to our present fall collection.
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You can read DeWeese’s article online or pick up your own copy of True West at your news stand. Better yet, how about an early Christmas present for your ‘wild, inner-cowboy’ and get a years subscription guaranteed to amuse and amaze!
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I had never heard of the magazine until I read your article especially enjoyed the article on Indian inspired fashion! Thanks for sharing! True West now has a new fan!
Rose, definitely pick up an issue – some articles are fascinating.
Oh my gosh Cheryl!!
What a delightful and unexpected surprise I got when I opened my email and read all about Grandpa Odie, his colt and True West Magazine! I immediately showed it to my publisher and her comment was “now that’s exposure you can’t pay for.”
We all at True West are so grateful that you would take the time to share your relationship with your Grandpa and True West on your website. Thanks for linking to our website and to our subscription offer!
I have enjoyed learning about the amazing story of Double D Ranch and its incredible growth over the past 20 years – you all are one dynamite group of women!
We would love to cover this milestone in one of our 2010 issues and Dan DeWeese will be calling.
I’ll be in touch!
Best regards,
Sheri Riley
Regional Sales Manager
Guys, you really got to get a subscription to True West – it is like Coke – the REAL thing.
I’m from Oklahoma and know all about Easy Jet!!!! Had some race horses at one time that went back to Easy Jet and Dash for Cash.
oh Elizabeth, we gotta talk. You’re the real deal if you know Easy Jet and Dash for Cash. I don’t know if you know, but we grew up racing quarter horses. Audrey and her oldest sons are now doing the brood mare thing and are constantly talking about who is out of who and who they are breeding to next year … yada yada. I will post some pics from our racing days just for you. Thank you so much for your reply. Nice to know somebody else is crazy about horses too!
As a former retailer for Double D Ranch (Carriage Trade) I love your blog! I miss seeing all of you at markets and keeping up with news of your company & family…it’s great to see all the “behind the scenes” stuff – especially the things that influence Cheryl in her design process. Happy Holidays to all of you!
Hey Chris – so very glad to hear from you! How did you come across our blog? We would love for you to subscribe to the RSS feed so we can stay in touch. Would love to hear back from you and learn what you are up to.
Cheryl – I found your blog by getting on the Double D website (I have subcribed to the Feed) – even though I am not in the retail business anymore (after 20 years) I love to see what you are doing each season. We have many fond memories of your Dad, Lynita, Bink, Susie, Coy,and all the great people who have worked with you over the years…….remember the margarita machine and the Royers barbeque lunch, the shows in Dallas with Neil McCoy, Mark Chestnutt, Tracie Lynn, etc , the slumber parties – good times!! Your sweet Mom was always at the front desk welcoming people.
Circumstances including aging parents who needed my help as well as the changing economy (our small resort town now seems to have more inexpensive imported clothing stores) caused me to close my store. I just didn’t want to compromise my concept of a more upscale boutique with a Southwestern flair……I am now working for the local court system, enjoying grandchildren, etc. I often wear my Double D classic pieces to work and get lots of compliments!
You and your family are truly an American success story – and I salute you for getting out there even though the risk must have been scary at times…..are the second generation kids in the business, too???
ah, (sigh) yes, what wonderful times. As a family, we have been very blessed. God has really kept a protective hand on all of us and on the business. In fact the business was His idea! We just seem to show up for work, do our jobs with great intensity and He provides. That’s it … no secret business plan or anything else.
Taylor, Audrey’s oldest (and oldest grandchild) is now in the business. Audrey is making him learn the biz from the ground up. He will probably decide he wants to do something else real quick since he is working under Susie in customer service! I think he got a good taste of an angry customer last week, but smiled through it all. We heard a lot of ” yes, Mam, yes, Mams” from his cubicle, but for the majority of customers they love him and his southern manners. He, Audrey and Bryson ( 2nd grandchild) are breeding brood mares so it looks like the circle of life continues there as well.
Mom is awesome. Cooks and takes care of us all everyday … then does her Double D job on top of that. I hope I can be like her someday.
For me, my boys are growing. My oldest graduates from high school this year and I am already grieving. Sam & I are going to miss him next year when he is off at college. Other than my boys and running with them, I just design. It is really nice. I work from home and can’t remember the last time I went in to the office. I think the next spring collection (Spring 2010) is my best spring EVER! We just finished editing the photo shoot today and I am so pleased. Be sure to watch for it on the blog first then the website. It is called: “Culture Clash”.
In 2010, we will be celebrating our 20th anniversary – can you believe it? We are working with our marketing guy on the special collector label for this year’s jackets. Wow, time flies.
Chris, it was sooo good to hear from you and to catch up on what you are doing. You are a special friend. Blessings to you and yours -
my dad has a collection of old west mag. from first in 1953 to 1990. anyone interested in buying.