Boots, bolo ties and runway lights are about to take over Mule Alley. The Fort Worth Stockyards will host Stockyards Fashion Week from October 2 through 4, three days built around trunk shows, runway fashion, collection previews, social hours, sip-and-shops and exclusive sales spread across retailers throughout the historic district.
Three Days From Mule Alley to Main Street
According to the Fort Worth Stockyards, the event runs October 2 from noon to 8 p.m., October 3 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and October 4 from noon to 7 p.m., stretching from Mule Alley to Main Street. The Stockyards, self-described as the place where the West begins, is serving as host for the whole run, according to CultureMap Fort Worth. The lineup includes trunk shows, exclusive previews, sales and in-store experiences, per the same outlet, alongside runway shows and live entertainment woven throughout the weekend.
The event includes trunk shows, collection previews and artists.
A Conversation, a Happy Hour and a Runway on the Lawn
The weekend opens Friday morning with Legends of the West, a conversation about Western style set for October 2 from 10 a.m. to noon at Provender Hall, according to CultureMap Fort Worth. Kirbe Schnoor leads that discussion, which features Tucker Brown, Susan Maddox, Cheryl McMullen, Mamie Brown, Mercedes Bloomer, Mitchell Franz and Mud Lowery, per the same report.
That evening brings Kimes Ranch First Friday — Fashion Week Edition, a happy hour kickoff running from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the Livestock Exchange lawns, with the Donovan Amaya Band providing live music, CultureMap Fort Worth reports. The following day, Schnoor returns to host the Western Fashion Roundup, showcasing rodeo wear and current Western fashion trends on the same lawns, with a performance from Madison Paige, according to the outlet.
Free Runway Show Closes Out Saturday
The headline runway moment, the Western Fashion Roundup, is set for Saturday, October 3, at 5 p.m. at 130 E. Exchange Ave., with free admission, according to the Fort Worth Stockyards. CultureMap Fort Worth lists the Western Fashion Roundup on the Livestock Exchange lawns running from 5 to 6 p.m. that same day, timing that lines up with the free show promoted by the Stockyards.
Where Fine Art Meets the Catwalk
Running alongside the fashion programming is Modern Masters of the West, described on its call for artists as a classic collaboration of fine art and runway fashion hosted by the Fort Worth Stockyards, with Cowgirl Artists of America serving as presenting sponsor, according to ftworthfineart.artcall.org. CultureMap Fort Worth reports that the program pairs 12 Cowgirl Artists of America members with Stockyards retailers for an art-meets-fashion experience featuring original artworks and new collections, running at retailers throughout the Stockyards October 2 from noon to 8 p.m., October 3 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and October 4 from noon to 5 p.m.
Selected artists were expected to present three original works and offer live demonstrations in partnership with Stockyards brands, per the artist call, which also noted a $1,000 stipend provided by the Fort Worth Stockyards for each participating artist. The same call describes a first jury round narrowing the field to 32 finalists, after which 16 partner brands would choose their artist collaborators. The call also states that Stockyards Fashion Week draws in more than 100,000 visitors, though the source material does not specify how or when that figure was measured.
Boot Branding, Pin Bars and In-Store Extras
Beyond the runway and gallery walls, shops across the district are offering their own hands-on touches during the week. CultureMap Fort Worth reports that Old Gringo Boots is offering boot branding, while Robi at Maverick Fine Western Wear is running a pin bar and John Wayne Stock & Supply is offering chain stitching. Sassy Pantz Boutique is providing jewelry engraving, according to the same report, while Hayley Green appears at Kimes Ranch as a fashion illustrator and Betsy Beaman appears at Tucker Brown boutique as a stylist.
Together, the mix of trunk shows, live music, art demonstrations and personalized in-store extras is what organizers describe as a celebration of Western fashion and fine art, per CultureMap Fort Worth. With the free Western Fashion Roundup anchoring Saturday evening, the Stockyards are betting that boots on the ground will match boots on the runway when the three-day run wraps October 4.
