We’ve come a long way from Cheryl styling scarves in her bathroom mirror, but she is still our resident go-to and guru when we’re looking for tips and tricks on how to tie one in a new way. The signature scarf for this spring collection features the remarkable artwork of our dear friend and talented Navajo artist Penelope Jo Yellowhorse, and it just happens to be the right size (36” square) for turning it into a halter. [Full disclosure: Tying it this way may not work for everyone, the dimensions of this scarf are best suited for small-to-medium frames.]
“Off the top of my head, I can’t think of a single outfit or occasion in which I can’t make a squash blossom work somehow,” Cheryl laughed, adding, “No seriously, I think you can rock a squash blossom necklace with a swimsuit if you’re confident enough. Truly. But in all seriousness, the Monument Valley collection is really well-suited for styling with squash blossoms, in both color and cuts.”
It's been a minute since we’ve talked about color theory, but to refresh your memory, turquoise is opposite orange on the color wheel, which means these rusty and rosy canyon clay hues in Monument Valley are complementary colors that will make your turquoise pop in a big way.
Similarly, many of the silhouettes are sleek and streamlined (in keeping with the utilitarian vibe) that work well as canvases to showcase those squash blossoms.
“A statement squash is a focal point in an ensemble,” Cheryl explained. “I don’t want it to have to compete with too much happening in terms of the garment. For instance, I love the way they show up against a solid, like the leather Sonora Dress. The squared utility silhouettes of this collection are a beautiful juxtaposition to an ornate squash, it’s the perfect canvas.”
Oh, and that one jaw-dropping squash blossom from the catalog that everyone can’t stop talking about? Well, if you’ve looked for it on the website and couldn’t find it, that’s because somebody can’t quite commit to parting with it some days.
“Ok, here’s the thing about that necklace,” Cheryl said. “I bought it for myself. I love it that much; I bought it with no intention of putting it into inventory. But, at the same time, I couldn’t resist styling it for a catalog – I mean, it deserves to be photographed! So then I felt like if I was going to feature it with the collection, I should at least make it available to buy and give someone else the opportunity to own it. And I’ll kind of convince myself to sell it, but then I’ll change my mind and have Hedy take it off the site, then change my mind again and decide I can part with it. Long story short, all that is to say, if you love it and you see it on the site, better snag it before I change my mind again!”
One of the most talked about – and asked about – pieces from this collection is that feisty, fabulous, full-length fringe belt that showed up in the Monument Valley catalog. It’s carrying on the Sonora style we’ve been obsessed with for the last few years, but in a whole new way.
“The story behind this piece is that we had a similar old prop belt that we had packed for a photoshoot that kind of had this vibe, but wasn’t quite ‘right’ – it wasn’t quite Double D, it wasn’t quite what we wanted it to be, so we thought, ‘Ok, what if we took this concept and made it Sonora style…’ and this is what we came up with,” Cheryl said.
“It’s not a belt in the traditional sense that you think of a belt,” Cheryl explained. “It’s certainly more of an accessory. It’s almost like a belt for your bottom half. Not exactly functional, but can totally transform your look. The purpose and appeal of it is that it’s see-through and it provides movement. It’s an outfit enhancement, if you will. And it’s fringe – which is always our thing, but happens to be very much on trend right now.”
“Really, wear it however you want! A piece this fierce has no rules. When I style it, I always do it asymmetrically off one hip, I think it reads almost like a hip-high slit in a dress that way, kind of edgy and flirty. We designed it with a smooth and adjustable strap with hidden snaps so that you can wear it by itself or you can layer it under a cool concho belt or a vintage leather belt or whatever style you’re going for.”
“Again, there’s no wrong way to wear it,” Cheryl said. “In fact, I have no doubt that our Wolf Pack will style it in ways that I never even envisioned, and it will be fabulous beyond belief. You can wear it with pants, with shorts, a skirt – long or short – even leggings. It can make any outfit unforgettable!”
The Canadian native is a proud member of the Enoch Cree Nation near Alberta, and is boldly breaking barriers on behalf of both, like becoming the first Indigenous woman to earn the title Miss. Universe or be featured in the swimsuit issue of Sports Illustrated.
“My heart bursts with pride,” Ashley said. “Because conquering these goals has allowed me to break glass ceilings and stereotypes by being the first to shine the beautiful, rich culture of Indigenous representation.”
While Ashley never claims to have had an idyllic childhood, she insists it is because of her upbringing and Enoch Cree roots that she’s been successful, not in spite of it.
“Being immersed in my culture and traditional way of life is what kept me on the right path,” Ashley explained. “Because of my grandparents’ unconditional love and strength, I learned to always keep my chin up and overcome adversity with a happy heart. My culture gives me strength and I carry that with me while I chase my dreams.”
In addition to providing visual representation in mainstream media, Ashley is also an avid ambassador for charitable organizations, international spokeswoman, and an advocate for all those who might follow in the footsteps she’s forged.
“I want to set a positive example for the next generation of Indigenous women that we are capable of anything we set our minds to; I want our women to know their self-worth, use their voice for power and to never set limits for ourselves,” Ashley said, adding, “Once I break those glass ceilings, I want to ensure that I push the glass aside, so that other Indigenous women can confidently shine in that light.”
Inspired by a sense of adventure, we’ve put a southwestern and super-chic spin on safari style. Crafted in the classic khaki hues and adhering to the utilitarian aesthetic, the Valley Trading pieces elevate the uniform of exploration beyond your crude cottons with a supple suede embellished with statement studding and exquisite embroidery.
“Even more so than a ‘safari’, the look goes along the archaeology trek route,” explains Claire Johanson, one of DDR’s talented designers. “It visually alludes to the mythos of searching for arrowheads, fossils, turquoise, etc. That's where our mindset was when designing that group. Love the use of ‘utilitarian aesthetic’ - everything about this group is about utility. We're seeing it everywhere; if you go to Target, they're selling cargo pants with pockets. We're offering an elevated, luxe version of what is hot right now.”
And, as we all know by now, the DDR difference is found in the details. In this case, is that sleek flat-head studding and statement embroidery.
Texture meets technique in one unforgettable, irresistible head-turning halter. Channeling strong ‘70s retro vibes and the colors of a canyon sunset, each top is handcrafted entirely of wooden beads by artisans we met in our adventures abroad last summer.
“At least once in your lifetime, you find a piece so unique and so magnificent, that even if it is entirely impractical, you simply have to have it,” Cheryl laughed. “This, admittedly, might be one of those pieces. And let me tell ya, that feeling goes all the way to the top – I felt the same way about it, I could NOT resist putting it into production, even at the risk that no one would ever buy it. I mean, it’s a wooden halter top. When you say it out loud, it sounds bananas, but when you see it executed, oh my gosh. It’s incredible. And here’s the thing, maybe you wear it five times in your life, you know, but everyone you encounter on those five occasions, will never forget it.”
When it comes to Double D, the difference really is in the details. (Just ask Hedy!) This season’s Gift of The Anasazi garments are bringing the DDR dedication-to-detail to life by channeling a familiar aesthetic executed in a remarkable new way.
“On Anasazi pottery you’ll see all of these little lines, that’s kind of what we mimicked here and why we named these pieces that,” Cheryl explained. “One of the techniques we saw a lot of last summer when we were visiting factories, we saw then doing a lot of leather manipulation, whether it be woven or braided or different things like that. So I came back home and I thought, ‘how do we incorporate that into what we’re doing?’ We came in here and we’re doing this Anasazi design, kind of this rug or pottery design, in leather, manipulating those colors. We did it in this fabulous little halter vest and in a classic leather jacket.”
The garments are crafted in a supple sheepskin, in a soft khaki hue that serves as a beautiful canvas to showcase the colorful leather designs, punctuated by chic silver-metallic studding, and Hedy’s favorite part…
“This is ruched leather, and it’s just so cool,” Hedy chimed in. “It’s one of those details you’re not going to find on anyone else’s stuff. I mean, I’m not gonna bash anybody else’s stuff, but this is what’s nice about Double D, is these little ‘Where’s Waldo’ details. You have to look a little more closely to see them, but they make all the difference.”
She may be a little bit salty in her delivery sometimes, but she’s not wrong! Take a good look at this beauty up close if you get the chance, and you’ll really appreciate the skill and intricacy required to create this unique embellishment.
The top is a true halter, complete with waist-wrap ties, which can be worn as a sexy-chic piece on its own if you’re feeling saucy, or can work in an elegant-edgy vest way over a blouse. The jacket is a classic straight-line silhouette with a sleek zip front and flattering dipped waist – a timeless collector.
“This is taken off our original Anasazi Jacket back from, I think, 2000ish,” Audrey added. “So this is going to be a classic, I love it.”
Whew, boy! That little groundhog was right – spring is certainly upon us. In South Texas, it feels dang near like full-on summer, and we’re about ready to ditch our britches in favor of something a little easier and breezier. Yep, it’s skirt season, gals!
“Skirts have been heavy in focus the last few seasons on the runway and we're starting to see them trickle down to everyday consumers,” explained DDR Designer Claire Johanson. “We're seeing more midi-lengths – perfect for showing off your boots – and shorter versions.”
The adventurer aesthetic is popping up everywhere, and you could say we’re at the “crossroads” (see what we did there?) of utilitarian and girly-glam with the Crossroads Skirt, taking a chic southwestern approach to the cool cargo mini. Going bold with the color and blinging it out ever-so-slightly keeps it fresh and fun.
We started diving into this look in the last collection with the Pecos Blanket Skort, which featured an amazing open-front maxi skirt displaying the built-in shorts – comfort, ease of wear, and fabulous movement. Currently, we’re all “wrapped” up in the Monument Pass maxi, which has all the appeal of a woven blanket wrap skirt, but with the comfy convenience of an elastic waistband.
Bust out your vintage velvets and/or clear the way for a few new ones in your closet, because this classic style is back in a big way! (To be fair, we’re not totally sure it ever went anywhere…) The full-length, gathered tiers, and stand-out statement hues of the Pueblo Antiquity skirts are giving us all kinds of cowgirl nostalgia – in a welcome new way.
It’s not a mini, it’s not a maxi, and it’s got more volume than a pencil midi. This fun, feminine silhouette is a flowy knee-length skirt that’s flattering and forgiving, and it’s going to be showing up strong this spring and summer. “The Monument Valley Skirt is a play on the classic circle skirt and broom skirt we often see,” said Claire. “We made a version that plays with a much shorter hemline and big pockets for all your goodies.” Our iteration is in this season’s signature print, and it’s easy to wear and pair with anything from the matching Monument Valley Top or a classic chambray workshirt, finished with a statement belt and a cool pair of cowboy boots.
Last night's line launch is available for your viewing pleasure! Cheryl shares all her inspiration origins as she, Audrey, and Hedy walk you through Monument Valley – figuratively – we're talking details, wearing-and-pairing, and the inevitable entertaining anecdote!
One of the most majestic, most photographed places on earth, it is hardly any wonder that inspiration abounds in a place like Monument Valley. The breathtaking beauty allures the eye, but it’s the sacred spirit that moves you.
Though it became the namesake of the Spring 2024 collection, Monument Valley is but one of – and in a sense, a metaphor for – all of the stunningly scenic and spiritually significant spots throughout the Southwest; the awe-inspiring ancient lands, the way the layers of the canyon blend and band, the millenia it took to effect the iconic formations, and the richness in the history of the people who cultivated it.
The aesthetic of the collection has evident influence from both the anthropological and archaeological; the colors and the culture, the rugged romance of the scenery, and a reverence for the society that sustains it. The silhouettes and textures nod to both the endemic and the explorer, ranging from utilitarian to exquisite; it’s a balance of fresh and familiar, introducing unique techniques and an emergence from our own archives.
It channels the essence that envelopes you when you stand in a place like Monument Valley. You feel humbled and inspired; you feel so miniscule in the grand scheme of the universe and Earth’s vast timeline, yet so intrinsically connected to every other man, woman, and child who has stood in the same spot and gazed with wide-eyed wonder. It’s awe. It’s appreciation. It’s homage.
Much of the aesthetic inspiration from is, well, worldly. From the colors and creations of Mother Nature herself to a sense of exploring to the appreciation of artistry from around the globe. As is always the case when a collection comes together, it’s beautifully blended from several sources that we swirl into something so distinctly DDR.
TAKING SHAPE
Silhouettes are trending strong, square, and almost safari-esque right now. Straight legs, boxy tops, cargo pockets – it has a very utilitarian and “explorer” vibe.
“From a design standpoint we were inspired to design Monument Valley based on current trends in fashion like camp and utility,” explained Claire Johanson, one of our talented designers. “Utility has been everywhere and is a heavy influence on our trend forecasting sources like WGSN. Then we had to mold that trend to our branding, so we chose Monument Valley and an archaeological spin.”
COLORS OF THE CANYON
“I think the influence here is apparent,” Cheryl said. “One of the mesmerizing visual aspects of the canyons or valleys or geographical formations is, well, it’s two-fold really – first, there are the colors, those dusty rose and rust hues, and patches of greens – and then the really cool part is how they layer. The strata that are created in rock formations from thousands and millions of years make stripes of the reds and the rusts and also hues of sand and khaki. All of that is a beautiful palette to work with – you can’t argue with nature’s paintbrush!”
PATCHWORK MEMORIES
“Patches are always an easy ‘yes’ for us, when they make sense aesthetically,” Cheryl said. “They feel like pieces of personality, and something that tells a story. In Monument Valley, they made sense to us because it’s a nod to adventure, in a way, and it’s reminiscent for me of all the road-tripping we did as kids and with our kids, and always gathering little mementos along the way. They work well in this collection with the utilitarian silhouettes.”
FABULOUS FEMMES
As a company of women, designing for women, it should come as no surprise that we aim to incorporate the work of women as often as possible. In Monument Valley, we are so proud to be once again featuring the artwork of talented and tenacious Navajo artisan Penelope Joe in several pieces. Additionally, after having the honor of visiting some of them during our travels last summer, we felt moved and motivated to amp up the inclusion of works by the remarkable women we work with around the world, particularly those behind the intricate embroidery we all love so much!
We might be a little partial, but we think our precious Presley Carter knocked it out of the park pairing the Sonora Dress (in Bone) with the always popular Cattlemen Boot, finishing it off with a statement squash blossom and a Redoux handbag from the Silver Label.
One of our Fort Worth fashionistas, Lori Stephens, perfected the look of cool cowgirl (and secretly SO comfortable!) with the irresistible “butter booty” Bandit Pants paired with instant classic Rope & Ride Top, finished with long layered beaded desert pearl necklaces and that Longhorn Beaded purse everyone goes gaga over!
Sweet Sealy Vest has been a DDR style icon for decades, always putting her one-of-a-kind spin on an outfit, and her look for the American is no exception! She’s the epitome of sassy-chic with that Pecos Blanket Wrap Skort and a tall pair of boots, topped with the Can’t Be Tied Down Top (how appropriate for that lil spitfire!) and the Ti-Yi-Yo Jacket, and polished to perfection with layered lapis lazuli and desert pearls.
Cowgirl couture fit for a queen – literally! Miss Rodeo America Kennadee Riggs is gonna be all kinds of eye-catching around the arena in buttercup and cornflower Call The Thing Rodeo pearl snap sundress! She’s rocking it with tall boots in a soft neutral hue and keeping her accessories simple to let the dress make the statement. Perfection!
Another of our Fort Worth faves, Molly Glendinning, is cute as a little cowgirl button in that precious Paulette Dress – how can you beat velvet, florals, and concho buttons?! – paired with forever-favorites Long Tall Sally Boots, a classic topper, and accented with dainty desert pearls and lovely lapis cuffs.
See if you style your Pecos more like a Cheryl, Hedy, or an Audrey!
She dreams up the details, but she keeps her style simple! You absolutely cannot go wrong with this darling denim dress, some Dennis Hogan hoops, and a timeless topper.
Hedy leaves a lasting impression everywhere she goes. This dress has great movement, and paired with a tall boot, it's "strut your stuff" city!
Audrey's always been the apple of our eye, and just like her, this statement sweater has proven impossible to ignore!
Nowadays we’d call them posters, and in such a tech-driven world, we hardly pay them much mind anymore, but in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, broadsides were the way to get the word out. These printed public announcements touted info about anything from new inventory at the general store to an upcoming event or entertainment act, like – you guessed it – a good ol’ local rodeo. We’ve always been enchanted by these bits of historical ephemera, and the aesthetic was apt for a collection paying homage to the world’s first rodeo, so we couldn’t resist reimagining rodeo broadsides with our own DDR spin and making them wearable.
When we started brainstorming what the Pecos photoshoot was going to look like it was obvious that we had to have a rodeo. We searched near and far for the perfect arena and ended up finding it in our own backyard… like literally 2 miles down the road right here in Yoakum!
Now that we knew where we were going to have it, all we had to do was stage our very own Double D Ranch rodeo. Sounds easy enough, right? Oh, honey, you must be new here.
The weather was less than cooperative, and Yoakum got over 6 inches of rain the week of the photoshoot, and then really amped things up with a nice cold front making for some mighty chilly nights. (Doesn’t everyone wear their Valdez coat in the rodeo arena?) Which, naturally, made it quite a bit harder to recruit volunteers to come be extras in a freezing, wet rodeo arena in their spare time! But, with several pretty pleases we were able to rally employees, friends, and family and we managed to get a stock contractor that brought two bulls, a bull rider, and even a bull fighter for us to get some live action! Everyone pitched in to help get the arena looking rodeo ready, and even sweet Nana got to work grooming and loving on two of our equine extras. In the end, the mess made it memorable, and we all ended up having a pretty good time – good food, great livestock, and even better company!
For part two of our rodeo, a couple of our favorite locals brought their horses, steers, and a real cute cowdog, Sam, to play the part of some real cowboys and work on their modeling portfolio. Already a man of many, many trades, Mitchell decided to add Professional Bulldogger to his resume, when he found a wild hair and decided, “ya know what, that doesn’t seem too hard…” Y’ALL. We all laughed so hard we could barely breathe!
We left most of the comedy capers behind us in the dirt and mud of the arena, but we still had a section to shoot in studio, which – in case you didn’t know – is usually somewhere we’ve cleared out of the storage room or back there where y’all try on clothes during the Meetups every summer. So keep that in mind next time you’re in your skivvies with your Wolf Pack sisters trying on that pile of sales items, that many’a catalog images have been shot right where you stand. We hung an enormous monochromatic blue background scrim and scrounged up some cowboy props to make it look as authentic as possible, including a roping dummy that’s currently featured in our Fort Worth store, a few saddles and ropes we had lyin’ around – this is when it pays to be a liiiittle bit of a hoarder (*cough Cheryl*).
While Pecos was all kinds of rowdy rodeo fun, the Monument Valley collection brings us down to earth – literally – with canyon colors and earthy, almost archaeological vibes! Oh, and a revival of an old-school original that some of you lifelong DDR gals might find a little nostalgic. It’s a great balance of utilitarian and elegant and we don’t want to give too much away, but you’re going to love it!
Join us NEXT SUNDAY, March 3rd at 7:30 p.m. for the classic commentary – and comedy – that comes with the McMullen Sisters introducing a collection. (Live launches are just plain fun, y’all know that.)
Cheryl teamed up with our precious pattern engineers, Geraldine and Esther, to do a quick easy-to-follow tutorial video on what you can expect when you’re shopping the site and see terms like “slim”, “relaxed”, “oversized”, etc… and how to select a size for your preference!
Zuni pieces from New Mexico have been gettin' real popular of late, but Cheryl has been collecting the art for years, and we've always loved it here at DDR. It's surprising how many people still don't know much about it though, so allow us to give y'all a lil' education…
The Zuni tribe are known for their delicate stone work called petit point which takes many hours to create. If you ever come across a beautifully intricate piece with hundreds of tiny stones, it's probably been made by one of their artisans. The craftsmanship is so impressive that these pieces are valued by the level of skill required to make the design, rather than the weight of the silver or the turquoise.
The Zuni people are also experts at inlay. We have a collection of pieces by two of the most renowned artisans, husband and wife Helen & Lincoln Zunie. In the mid-20th century when Western dressing was all the rage, they created a lot of cow and horse motifs, crafted using chip inlay style. We're so glad their vintage designs are finally getting the recognition they deserve, and we've no doubt these collectors items will just become more desirable as more people learn about their talent.
So how do ya spot a real Zuni piece? Artisans will usually use their initials to mark a piece rather than a symbol or their full name for starters. Plus they usually only work with turquoise, coral, mother of pearl or onyx. They never work without stones though, so if you catch sight of a plain sterling silver design it's likely not Zuni at all. Their bezels are much smaller than the norm too. Pretty much if it looks super intricate and really hard to recreate, it's probably the work of a master Zuni artisan!
Over the past year, the country music superstar has become a friend of DDR – we’d even venture to call her an honorary member of our Wolf Pack – and she’s been spotted sporting some of Double D Ranch’s most spectacular pieces, from that gorgeous green Sonora Vest to the showstopping Wild & Woolie Jacket. Well, this past weekend, Ms. Wilson was at it again, wowing crowds and stealing hearts at the People’s Choice Awards, looking every bit the rockstar she is in DDR’s own Abilene Jacket!
Photo: Rich Polk/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
The Louisiana native is arguably at the apex of country music stardom, and she’s raking in the awards to prove it! Just a few weeks ago, Lainey’s Bell Bottom Country earned her the Grammy Award for Best Country Album, and then this past Sunday night (Feb. 18th), she was awarded Female Country Artist of the Year at the 2024 People’s Choice Awards.
Photo: Mark Von Holden/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
Photo: Todd Williamson/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
Spokeswomen for the sport, rodeo queens are known to greet fans and sign autographs, but these gals are way more than just pretty faces that help sell tickets. Rodeo queens are experienced horsewomen, rodeo educators, talented public speakers, role models and rodeo historians helping to preserve America’s western heritage. But how did the job of rodeo queen come around?
The first rodeo queen is believed to have been appointed at the 1910 Pendleton Round-Up in Oregon, but it took twenty years for the idea to spread. Cheyenne Frontier Days in Wyoming became the next well-known rodeo to have a queen in 1931. Her name was Miss Frontier Days aka Miss Jean Nimmo Doubois. The role of rodeo queen was invented because local businessmen were worried the Depression would stop people from buying tickets to the show. They created a competition where the young woman who sold the most tickets would become queen of the rodeo. They decided they would choose a young woman from within the community who did not compete in rodeo events like a cowgirl, but instead used her "royal" position to promote the rodeo.
However, after WWII, rodeo queens became even more involved in the communities and rodeos they represented. Horsemanship competitions were added to pageants, traveling to promote their hometown rodeo became the norm and queens were featured in the press and introduced to politicians and even celebrities.
In 1955, the International Rodeo Management changed the game with the development of the iconic Miss Rodeo America organization. Local queens now had the opportunity to become a national icon and spokeswomen for all rodeo.
Today it's difficult to imagine the world of professional rodeo without Miss Rodeo America. We're in awe of their intelligence, kindness, and their ability to turn rodeo spectators into rodeo fans. We’re proud to be longtime sponsors of Miss Rodeo America and to dress many of the beautiful women who represent the title. Our Pecos collection is dedicated to them and the beauty they share with us all.
We got down and dirty at the rodeo for the Pecos collection and makeup artist Lisa Martensen made sure the girls looked the part in the campaign. The inspiration for hair and makeup was rodeo queens doing their thing in the middle of the arena. We're talkin' undone, natural makeup that looks like you've just ridden a horse or roped a buckin' bronco in the ring. It's actually the perfect kind of makeup for everyday because it's easy to apply, lightweight and looks lived in. Like your skin but better. Ready to be Pecos-pretty? Here's how to recreate the look:
Lisa used no foundation at all for the Pecos looks and instead focused on simply covering any little blemishes, imperfections or dark circles with concealer instead. By using thin layers only where it was needed, the natural beauty of the girls' skin really shone through. And that's how it should be. Don't apply a full face of makeup just 'cause you think you should. You only need a few little touch ups that are well blended to be Pecos-pretty.
For the lids, Lisa took MAC Pro Longwear Fluid Eyeliner Gel in the shade Low Lights and smudged it all-over for a softer take on a smokey eye. By blending the edges the end result is much more natural than something harsh like a cat eye. Plus it doesn't matter if your makeup skills aren't perfect, with an undone look like this no-one can tell if you mess up.
Both girls are wearing MAC Frost Lipstick in “O” for the Pecos campaign. It's a purplish-red color that looks really deep and kinda intimidating in the tube but it goes on much lighter than you expect with a gorgeous golden pearl undertone. A great day to night shade.
To finish off the look, the hair was kept as simple and natural as possible. No excessive heat or crazy tools here, just some Aquage Detailing Creme to create texture and definition without a ton of flyaways. For the ultimate, I just got done ridin' hairstyle.
Blue and yellow is the color combo of the season (as the Pecos collection shows!), and we've become obsessed with seeking out yellow gemstones to wear with our lapis lazuli. We've searched high and low and found a clear favorite: bumble bee jasper. But where does the stone come from? And how easy it is to shop for? We've done our research and have all the answers right here for y'all!
First things first, bumble bee jasper is pretty rare because it's only found in one location on earth, Java, Indonesia. It's mined by locals from the side of an active volcano called Mount Papandayan, so we think that makes it pretty special straight off the bat. This unique gemstone is yellow or orange and sometimes has black stripes running through it that look like, yes you guessed it, a bumble bee.
It is believed to help ease emotional stress, increase your confidence and help you have a more positive outlook on life, we say sign us up! Its vibrant color also looks most striking set into sterling silver, which works perfectly for us as you know we love us some silver jewelry.
We love to wear bumble bee jasper in a pair of earrings for a bright pop of color around the face. They look particularly striking if you have dark hair as they really stand out in contrast. We have a bunch of dangle and drop styles available right on the DDR website now that match perfectly with the Pecos collection - we even have some fun star-shaped pairs!
If you don't have dark hair or prefer to wear your jasper elsewhere, we've got some gorgeous bumble bee jasper rings, cuffs and even a squash blossom necklace that's sure to steal the show! The yellow color is so vivid it really stands out against all the navy blue in the Pecos collection (or any black you've already got in your closet). In short, next time you need some yellow jewelry, just reach for jasper.
When designing the Pecos collection we were inspired by vintage bandanas in a big way. The bandana print has always been one that we reference, but storytelling banadas that depict iconic rodeo scenes were also a huge reference point for the graphics of this latest collection. But what's the real history of the bandana? And why do we use little scarves to tell stories anyhow?
Bandanas originated in Southern Asia and the Middle East, but they first became popular in America in the late 18th century. In the fight for American independence, Martha Washington had a bandana made of her husband George Washington. The bandana featured Washington on horseback, surrounded by cannons, flags, and text describing his dedication to getting independence for America. From then on it then became popular to use bananas to tell stories, spread political messages, and promote events (including things like rodeos!)
After the Civil War there was a shortage of beef in the east, and so lots of men became cowboys herding cattle from Texas to railroad towns where they could be shipped off. Herding thousands of cattle means a lot of hooves kicking up a lot of dust, cowboys adopted the bandana as a handy accessory that could keep dust out of their mouths and off their necks, and so it cemented its place as a Western fashion staple.
If you've been part of the Wolf Pack for more than a minute, you'll know that each time we launch a new DDR collection we also release one or two collectible scarves. We like to think of them as our very own banadas as they each tell a story about the new collection.
There's a ton of different ways to wear 'em. Tied around your new Cowboy kerchief style, wrapped around your hair, tied to the handle of your handbag or even framed like a print. We know some of y'all do that with limited edition DDR silk scarves and we just love how creative you get. We'll never get bored of bandanas…
Y'all know the 75th annual San Antonio Rodeo kicked off last Thursday, February 8th, and we couldn’t help but try to squeeze our way into the spotlight somehow… Friday morning we decided that the evening's performers, Midland (you may have heard of them), would look extra handsome in our brand-new blue color Midnight Cowboy Jacket. So we hatched a plan. We'd been itching to get that bad boy biker on stage for a while now, so Kristen took charge to try and make it happen!
She reached out to their manager to see what they thought of the idea, and turns out they loved it just as much as we did! That Friday quickly became a helluva lot more exciting as plans were made for the family to not only bring the jackets to the San Antonio Rodeo but to meet the Midland men.
To say we were fangirling is an understatement, these are some good-looking guys to begin with but mannn, something about a sharp-dressed man, in a Midnight Cowboy Jacket, just really takes it to the next level! Midland played an incredible show, and of course, the crowd went wild. And we're so proud to think our brand-new biker jackets added to the buzzy atmosphere that evening!
Take style notes from the Midland Men and shop the new black and blue version of the Midnight Cowboy jacket for yourself. It's a unisex style fit for the stage with a ton of embellishments that will really turn heads - we're talkin' studs, stitching, patches and pony hide!
February 13th might just be our new favorite day of the year - 'cause we just had the best time with y'all at our Fort Worth and Yoakum Galentine's events. Who doesn’t love getting all dolled up and spending the day with your best gals? It was so much fun getting to catch up with all the lovely ladies of the Wolf Pack over sweet treats and some amazing in-store prizes. Whatever your relationship status, we hope we made you feel really special. Maybe you were lucky enough to unwrap some DDR on Valentine's… Or even better, you were able to treat yourself to a piece from the new Pecos collection!
We know it felt like January took forever, but July will be here before you know it and we’re already looking forward to our favorite weekend of the year!
You’re probably thinking, “Wait a minute – didn’t we JUST have an Addiction Meetup?!” Well, time flies when you’re having fun, and believe it or not, we’re already halfway around the sun again. This year, we’ve really got our gears in a groove and we thought if we’re ready to start planning, y’all might be, too. We will have tons of updates and so much more info to come and tickets are NOT AVAILABLE YET, but you can officially mark your calendars – the 2024 Addiction Meetup will be July 24 – 27th!
Daddy Doug's famous phrase 'getting rigged up' has stuck with the sisters and in turn DDR through the years, and has inspired more than a couple of our collections. But no matter how much time passes, his South Texas sentiment remains one we live by to this day, 'cause when the time's right you just have to get yourself rigged up!
This year getting rigged up is all about being dressed up to the nines so that you're rodeo ready. We wanna see you headin' to the rodeo in head-to-toe Pecos collection, from your cowboy hat and Oscar Betz earrings to your MIL dress and matching yellow and blue Best Dressed Cowgirl boots.
The story of Pecos dates way back to 1873. The famous Chisholm Trail, Goodnight-Loving Trail and Butterfield Overland mail routes all crossed in Pecos, and with several old cattle and wagon trails nearby too it wasn’t long before Pecos grew into a supply town for the many ranches within its 100-mile range. But as we all know, when you get a bunch of cowboys together, some fights are bound to happen…
Thanks to the 'Law West of the Pecos', things were mostly kept in check, minus a few gunfights (the results of which you can still see the bullet holes from in the West of the Pecos Museum). But on July 4, 1883 a more friendly competition sprung up and the world’s first rodeo took place! Braggin’ rights were on the line to find out who was the best cowhand in the West, and since it was a holiday, folks came from all over the area to see how their favorite cowboys would fare. The event featured running calves down Main Street with roping cowboys in pursuit. It was the first rodeo on record and the first to give prizes.
A. T. “Trav” Windham was considered the Pecos rodeo’s first champion. Windham was once described in print as “one of the greatest cowmen Texas ever knew”, and he roped and tied his steer in 22 seconds, winning his event and finishing second in another roping competition later that day! The tradition of rodeo continued every summer, and has been held at the Buck Jackson Arena every year since 1936. Now it's one of the PRCA’s top 40 prize-money rodeos and it still has our hearts to this day.
Ryan Feerer is a designer and illustrator from Abilene, TX who runs a studio called The Good Things. His style usually has a fun sense of humor and you can spot his work as it often merges typography and illustration. He creates logos and designs for to-go cups for local coffee shops, cans of locally brewed beer and creative signs asking visitors not to smoke or skateboard near Abilene Christian University, where he teaches design.
Cheryl found him through the stamp collection he created with the USPS and she fell in love with his fun take on Western workwear. Inspired by the gear used by working ranchers and reimagined in fun and fanciful ways, the stamps celebrate what we think is the best of American fashion. His motifs include rattlesnakes, prairie roses and plenty of cacti too, so of course it was just the inspiration we were looking for when it came to creating the Pecos collection print.
The sisters saw on Ryan's website that he prefers projects doing 'fun things for fun people', so they just knew we wanted to work with him. Together we expanded on the Western style he had already created and brought in some classic rodeo elements to make it feel truly Pecos.
You can find the Ryan Feerer x DDR collaboration over several of our Pecos pieces. Shop 'em now and collect 'em all we say…
Yellow is a color we haven’t seen in abundance in recent years, but you can expect the happy hue to have a pervasive presence for the foreseeable future. It has a warm, familiar feel which works well in a nostalgic and reminiscent collection like Pecos. The color combo of yellow and blue has inherently cowboy vibes, harkening back to the days of dark denim with old gold stitching, and this collection pairs buttercup with cornflower in soft feminine paisley prints and strong southwestern serapes.
Be unexpected and exquisite by adding the sunshine shade to your accessory game with some bold bumblebee jasper.