The Horse Show Look Takes Over New York Fashion Week!

By: Brittany Bevis

For those of you who frequently travel the horse show circuit, your closet is likely filled with awards jackets, vests, and coats that sport logos from some of the most popular equine events in the country. But, little did you know that your horse show logo wear is the next hot thing in fashion!

Recently, fashion designer, Vivienne Tam, debuted her Spring/Summer 2017 collection during New York Fashion Week. Tam’s 43-look collection merged a futuristic vibe with rodeo sparkle and horse show logo wear to create an eclectic mix of bohemian pop style.

After being inspired by a recent trip to Houston, Texas, Tam fully embraced the Western culture by using the iconic Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s bow-legged H logo, wearing a cowboy hat, as an integral part of her designs. Also making an appearance were logos and graphics from the NASA space station as well as the Houston Ballet.

Vogue described the look as “space cowboy meets rodeo” and WWD went on to call Tam’s style, “kitschy-boho, an inspired take on mission control-meets-rodeo.”

Not only was the Houston Show’s logo incorporated in numerous designs in pop art-style graphics and black and white print on shoes and handbags, Tam also created a couture piece featuring pins and badges from the annual horse show.

Show president and CEO, Joel Cowley, his wife, Tammy, and Show vice president Pat Mann Phillips were thrilled to witness the fashion show, live from the front row. “Having the opportunity to attend this wonderful event serves as validation that the spirit of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the great city of Houston cuts across cultural and geographical boundaries,”  Cowley says.

A hint of horse show fashion was seen in other aspects of the line as well with vests adorned with long flowing fringe, metallic leather accents, mini floral button-up shirts, and oversize buckle belts with crystals.

Off the shoulder dresses and peasant tops in flowy fabric were updated in mixed floral patterns featuring purple, tangerine, fuchsia, melon, and lime green. The yellow rose of Texas made an appearance as well, as did an updated version of denim and cowboy shirts with prominent pointed collars and decorated lapels and yokes.