TINY TALENT: MACRAE WENSKE SPENDS A DAY IN DESIGN

Well, this is certainly the cutest thing we’ve done in a while! Our social media guru-turned-marketing manager, Leeann Wenske, is a mother to three absolutely precious young girls, and her middle daughter has her sights set on becoming a designer one day.

Macrae Wenske is a newly-9-year-old headed to the 3rd grade in the fall. She has an aesthetic eye, an ambitious mind, and a precocious penchant for pursuing her dreams.  

“I think it's cool that people design all of the outfits I see,” Macrae said. “I love putting together my outfits and making them look pretty.”

Fortunately, Mom has a few friends in the biz. *wink* For her birthday, Macrae wished to get to spend the day shadowing the Double D Ranch design team – and boy, were we happy to grant it!

“Oh, the SECOND it was mentioned, we were all over it!” Cheryl said. “Are you kidding? It was the easiest ‘yes’ ever. The whole team was 100% in, and when it was all said and done, I think we might’ve been more excited about it than Macrae was. It was a dually rewarding experience, for sure.”

“Working with Macrae took me right back to my childhood,” added senior designer Claire Kiser. “Sketching dresses, shoes, and bags just like she does now. It was pure joy and such a sweet reminder that playing dress-up doesn’t have to stop when you grow up!”

We developed a one-day ‘internship’ for our aspiring designer, and Miss Macrae arrived early, eager, and dressed for the part – clad in a denim DDR baseball-style button-down from Cowpoke U over a simple white tank and shorts, paired with sparkly sneaks. She accessorized with a vintage brown leather handbag, a sterling silver and turquoise cuff, and her signature M necklace layered with a classic silver chain. Casual chic, perfected.

The day included a tour of the headquarters, proxying a meeting with the design team, and a hands-on introduction to the process – which was (probably) her favorite part.  

“It’s hard to choose [a favorite part],” she said. “Probably designing the outfit and getting to make it.”

Macrae sketched out an appliqued A-line skirt right there on the spot that was surprisingly chic and remarkably intentional.

“Someone came in with a horseshoe and cactus on their shirt and that gave me an idea,” Macrae said. “I like wearing that style of skirt, so I put them on that. I like how it fits on my waist and [where it] hits on my legs.”

With the help of our patterning department, she was able to measure, cut, pin, and place her design – and executed it beautifully! In her sketch, she paired it with a darling “howdy”-emblazoned tank, which there wasn’t time to mock up, but we can honestly say would’ve been really cute. Ladies and gents, there is a true talent budding before us.

“It was fun and encouraging to see her enthusiasm and passion at this early age,” Cheryl said. “It will be fun to watch her grow, I’d love to see her develop into a designer!”

Well, Macrae is full steam ahead on that path.

“I've drawn more designs in my sketchbook, and I got a sewing machine,” said Macrae. “I started making some stuff for my dolls, but they aren't finished.”

And, it seems, she hopes that path leads her back to Double D.

“I like designing for Cheryl. I want to be like Cheryl and Claire,” she said. “But Hedy and Audrey love me, too!”

Yes, they do, sweet girl – and a whole Wolf Pack you haven’t even met yet is rooting for you.

*We think she might’ve actually meant that she loves Audrey and Hedy, too – because she really, really does – but it was too precious and pure not to print her childlike candor. P.S. As you might imagine, she and Hedy have totally bonded over being the middle child of three sisters!