This Denver-Based Designer Is Reimagining Cowboy Fashion for 2018

It's difficult not to see the irony in European designers' interest in cowboy culture Whether it's Raf Simons's shirts and boots for Calvin Klein or Nicolas Ghesquière's bolo ties for Louis Vuitton, these sartorial icons stick out due to the fact that here in America we're living in a fraught political time The Denver-based, Colorado-born-and-bred designer started his label Ricky King back in 2016, after leaving behind his work as a painter and sculptor to teach himself cut-and-sew methods and pursue fashion design.

After painting leather jackets for Jeremy Scott's Fall 2013 show, his big break came last year when Lady Gaga wore a bustier he fashioned from old cowboy boots in her video for "John Wayne." The item has become one of his signature pieces, and each one is unique as he sources almost all of the boots from thrift stores and vintage dealers between Denver and L.A "The original stitching of each boot dictates what the painted design will look like," Ross explains "The idea of utilizing existing materials to create something completely new and innovative is important to me" In addition to the bustier, Ross has created a bolero jacket made from upcycled bandanas, a belt buckle necklace, and lace-up distressed denim pants decorated with cowboy boot-inspired embroidery.

He also now offers boot customization for his clients, and he just completed a pair decked out in tiny white seashells "The tight pants, shiny boots, giant buckles, leather fringe it's all just downright glamorous." . Source