Besides sewing all the beautiful rodeo queen clothes this summer, I have been working hard on designing and making the outfits for the runway shows for my Thistles West line at the Cody High Style Show and the Style West fashion shows and retail show in Cody, Wyoming September 23rd – 27th. These are fabulous shows that showcase the best of the best in Western Design thru furniture, fashions, jewelry and art. Designers from all over the country show in these shows. Check them out at:
www.contemporarywesterndesign.com (click on Style West)
www.bbhc.org/CodyHighStyle .

The outfits I am doing this year are very different from last year. The outfits for the shows reflect my love for working with many different types of leathers. I have done quite a few with deerskin which I dearly love to work with. I have thrown in some specialty leather such as some metallics pearlized gold overlay printed suede’s to create a wonderful unexpected eclectic mix. I am also throwing in some silk items with the leather. The set of eight fashions for the Cody High Style Show are a specially created line to reflect an updated version of Buffalo Bill Cody style fashions for women. You know, similar to the jackets he wore with the beaded designs and fringe on them. Of course, mine are a little different with painted designs, instead of beading, as I have to do my own take on them and not all include jackets of that style. I am using a very interesting color palette for these outfits which will remain a secret until the night of the fashion show, Sept. 23, 2009.

The outfits for the Style West Fashion Sow are going to be quite different for me. I am mixing western with another popular fashion style that will be quite a surprise. These have been so much fun to design and have given me a chance to design and work with new leathers and fabrics. This is all I can say for now, but may give a few sneak peeks right before the shows.