by igh-end and custom-made cowboy boots are nothing new at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. This year, however, for the first time in history, iconic French fashion house Louis Vuitton has entered the arena with their limited-edition LV Texan boots.
A perfect look for RodeoHouston, the LV Texan boots have French heritage and LV iconography but were handmade by Texas master artisans. The creative team behind the LV Texan boots consists of expert bootmakers Stallion Boots based in El Paso, otherwise known as “The Cowboy Boot Capital of the World,” and Louis Vuitton’s leather goods atelier out of Rochambeau Ranch in Alvarado, Texas. Notably, the boots are the luxury maker’s first footwear venture from Rochambeau Ranch.
The LV Texan boots are available at Louis Vuitton in the Houston Galleria for the duration of RodeoHouston. Photo courtesy of Louis Vuitton
Originally from the Men’s Fall-Winter 2024 collection spearheaded by creative director Pharrell Williams, the boots feature supple calf leather and stitching by Goodyear, which is considered the “gold standard” for footwear.
Inspired by the American West, the Fall-Winter 2024 collection features pearl and sequin embroidery, vaquero jackets, leather, fringe, denim, and cowboy boots. Williams also worked with the Dakota and Lakota tribes to showcase hand-painted details on the brand’s famed Speedy Bags. A new term, “Cowmooflage,” a mashup of cow print and camouflage printed on calfskin jackets and bags, also came out of the collection.
The boots were originally presented in Paris as part of Men’s Creative Director Pharrell Williams’ collection inspired by the American West.Photo courtesy of Louis Vuitton
The limited-edition boots are exclusively available at Louis Vuitton in the Houston Galleria for the duration of RodeoHouston. At a $8,000 price point, the boots are available in three different styles, each with notable Texas branding, including bluebonnets, cactus, scorpions, and a Texas monogram.
The authentic cowboy boot features goodyear construction in supple calf leather and stitching and appliqué decorations that incorporate Louis Vuitton’s iconography into the classic style.Photo courtesy of Louis Vuitton
After teasing fans with clues for months and finally confirming rumors in early February, Beyoncé has finally launched Cécred, her haircare brand. Bey’s Foundation Collection is the brand’s first drop and contains eight products that cleanse, condition, repair, and give users the foundation to express their hair in all ways that make them feel good.
When conceptualizing Cécred, Beyoncé says she was inspired by hair rituals from global culture, she notes in press mateials. The line contains oils, honey, butter, and fermented rice water to nourish and protect hair.
Beyoncé recalls that she learned the importance of healthy hair growing up in her mother’s Third Ward hair salon, Headliners. She watched her mother, Tina Knowles (now vice chairwoman of Cécred) mix tech-forward formulas with natural butter and oils to keep her customer’s hair healthy.
Cécred’s first launch is the Foundation Collection, meant to be the difference between a routine and a ritual.Photo courtesy of Cécred
“The journey of creating Cécred has taken years, and I’m so proud to finally reveal what we’ve been working on,” Beyoncé notes in a statement. “As a Black founder, it was important to me to concentrate on where I saw the greatest need for healthy haircare and to place scientific innovation and product performance above all else. We started by prioritizing the needs of textured hair like mine, along with other types and textures that need more moisture and strength.”
Before launching Cécred, Beyoncé’s team conducted extensive clinical, salon, and lab testing to ensure the brand’s products were beneficial for all hair types and textures, from straight to coily, color-treated, and chemically processed, according to a release.
“My entire life and career, I’ve worn my hair in so many different ways: natural, flat-ironed, braids, colored, weaves, wigs. I want everyone to have the freedom to express their hair in ways that make them feel good, so I began by creating the essentials for hair and scalp health,” Bey added. “My vision is to be an inclusive force of excellence in the haircare industry while celebrating hair rituals across global cultures and helping dispel hair myths and misconceptions on all sides.”
Cécred’s formulas are silicone-free and visibly strengthen and moisturize every type and texture.Photo courtesy of Cécred
With the launch of Cécred, Beyoncé is also investing in the stylist community through philanthropic giving. The Cécred x BeyGOOD Fund will award a $10,000 scholarship to 25 aspiring cosmetology students in Houston, Atlanta, Houston, Chicago, and New Jersey.
And because Beyoncé saw firsthand the impact salons have in their communities, the Cécred x BeyGOOD Fund will also award 25 salon owners a $10,000 business grant. Cécred isn’t wasting any time to make cosmetologists happy. Round one of the scholarships and business grants is approaching on March 20.
