ECHOES OF THE WEST
Mood Boards
FEILD RESEARCH
As a result of my love and fascination with western wear and motifs, I took a research trip to Red Gate Farms in Savannah, Georgia. During this visit, I had the opportunity to participate in a horseback riding lesson and gain firsthand exposure to equestrian practice. I also spent time in the tack room, where I was able to closely examine and handle a range of traditional equipment, including saddles, bridles, reins, and other leather goods. This experience allowed me to study stitching methods, hand-finished details, material quality, and construction techniques, directly informing my approach to craftsmanship, durability, and authenticity within the collection.
Prototyping
My design and making process for Echoes of the West draws directly from Western ideals of hard, rewarding labor and enduring craftsmanship. Each bag is built through hands-on techniques that honor tradition and longevity. I hand-cut all fringe and complete individual hand-broguing throughout the collection, choosing manual processes over machine production to preserve authenticity, control, and character. Working by hand allows the material to guide the final form, resulting in bags that feel lived-in, intentional, and rooted in the spirit of western craft.
