Saddle Up
Nili Lotan leopard-print maxi dress, $695
Supermodel and designer Erin Wasson leads the luxury cowboy reboot with Lucchese
By Gina Tolleson | Photography by: Adam Secore, Wynn Myers for Lucchese | Styled by Natalie Joos
WHO Erin Wasson, 39, supermodel, designer
WHAT Known for her provocative rock and roll meets surfer meets Lone Star style, Wasson never thought she’d have the opportunity to work with the grande dame of the cowboy boots—Lucchese, which is based in her home state of Texas and an ever present brand/sponsor at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club. It’s a true soles-up design partnership between Wasson and Lucchese, not just a trendy collaboration. “When you understand the Western world, it’s a luxury beyond,” says Wasson. “This is their first ‘fashion’ project and the most important thing is the quality, materials, process, and knowledge of how this is being made.”
“I wanted to create a collection that incorporates Western silhouettes with fashion-forward subtleties. I had this sort of ‘Ranch Tropez’ concept when I started designing—a little grit and a little glam. Perhaps a way to live life!”
WEAR “I wanted to create a collection that incorporates Western silhouettes with fashion-forward subtleties—the gold zipper, patent leather detail. I had this sort of ‘Ranch Tropez’ concept when I started designing—a little grit and a little glam. Perhaps a way to live life!”
TEX-CALI “Being from Texas but living in California for 15 years has certainly become a part of everything I do design wise. Mostly I wanted to make boots that felt timeless wherever you are.”
MUST-HAVES The patent leather bootie, a 17-inch-high midnight blue ostrich boot, a black-and-white crocodile boot, and a 1960s mod boot with a rounded toe.
Erin’s S.B. BLACK BOOK
Allora by Laura, 805-563-2425, allorabylaura.com, for great pieces and my Wasson Fine jewelry collection.A drive and hike to Knapp’s Castle and a swim at Arroyo Burro County Beach.I love to browse Chaucer’s bookstore, 805-682-6787, chaucersbooks.com.Great tapas and cocktails at Loquita, 805-880-3380, loquitasb.com, and The Nugget, 805-969-6135, nuggetbarandgrill.com, reminds me of Texas—cowboys and stiff drinks.Vintage finds at The Blue Door, 805-364-5144, thebluedoorsb .com, housewares at Upstairs at Pierre Lafond, 805-565-1503, upstairsatpierrelafond.com, and cool furniture at Garde, 805-845-8384, gardeshop.com.