Written by: Amanda Vasquez
Photo courtesy of the National Cowgirl Museum in Fort Worth, TX
The massive framed works of art lining the staircases that dominate the grand foyer in the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame aren’t what they seem.
There are no brush marks or paint under the glass, nor are they a view from a photographer's lens. These intricate and bright pieces are silk scarves depicting horses and other horse-related imagery.
A single name stitched into the corner of each - Hermès - marks them as high fashion pieces.
The colorful collection is part of a larger exhibition, "It’s Never Just a HorseTM," and represents how the only museum in the world dedicated to honoring Western women is about more than horses and trick riding.
Photo: The scarves line the stairwell in the museum. (Photo courtesy of the National Cowgirl Museum in Fort Worth, TX)
Glamour is woven throughout the museum and its collection.
From hand carved panels to a Richard Haas mural, the museum captures the western spirit of women.
Sequins, costumes and even more memorabilia are highlights of its second floor, all showcasing the fashion elements of the cowgirl.
Photo: Janell Kleberg being inducted into the Cowgirl Hall of Fame (Photo courtesy of the National Cowgirl Museum in Fort Worth, TX)
Photo: Janell Kleberg being inducted into the Cowgirl Hall of Fame (Photo courtesy of the National Cowgirl Museum in Fort Worth, TX)
Photo: A Richard Haas mural decorates the outside wall of the museum (Photo courtesy of the National Cowgirl Museum in Fort Worth, TX)
Photo: A Richard Haas mural decorates the outside wall of the museum (Photo courtesy of the National Cowgirl Museum in Fort Worth, TX)
The left stairwell houses an Hermès scarf that was made in collaboration with 2019 Cowgirl Honoree Janell Kleberg.
Nominees for the cowgirl award exemplify the courage, resilience and independence that helped shape the West.
Kleberg has led a storied career in and around ranch work, and made the scarf as a way to highlight some of the conservation efforts she has been involved in.
Kleberg worked with Waco, Texas native and the sole American designer for Hermès, Kermit Oliver, for six years on the scarf. As an avid conservation advocate, Kleberg wanted to create a scarf that would highlight protecting the Laguna Madre of the Texas Coast.
Hermès dedicated a portion of the proceeds of the limited-edition scarf to the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute to purchase technology that helps measures annual migrations. That information is then shared with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society, according to the Cowgirl Museum.
Photo: Janell Kleberg's scarf in collaboration with Kermit Oliver (Photo courtesy of the National Cowgirl Museum in Fort Worth, TX)
Photo: Colorful scarf depicts beautiful horse imagery (Photo courtesy of the National Cowgirl Museum in Fort Worth, TX)
Photo: Colorful scarf depicts beautiful horse imagery (Photo courtesy of the National Cowgirl Museum in Fort Worth, TX)
Photo: Janell Kleberg's scarf in collaboration with Kermit Oliver (Photo courtesy of the National Cowgirl Museum in Fort Worth, TX)
Photo: Janell Kleberg's scarf in collaboration with Kermit Oliver (Photo courtesy of the National Cowgirl Museum in Fort Worth, TX)
Photo: Collection of Hermès scarves decorate the walls of the lefthand stairwell (Photo by Amanda Vasquez)
Along with Kleberg's unique piece, the other scarves in the exhibit also have a unique design, color selection and significance that all highlight the value of the horse.
“The 16 scarves chosen for this stairwell represent the various partnerships and intersections of the horse, the land and people,” according to the Cowgirl Museum. “You can find elements of the many ways horses have been viewed as partner, competition, muse or simply as an object of beauty, because It’s Never Just a HorseTM.”
Photo: Colorful scarf depicts beautiful horse imagery (Photo courtesy of the National Cowgirl Museum in Fort Worth, TX)
Photo: Colorful scarf depicts beautiful horse imagery (Photo courtesy of the National Cowgirl Museum in Fort Worth, TX)
Photo: Collection of Hermès scarves decorate the walls of the righthand stairwell (Photo by Amanda Vasquez)
Photo: Collection of Hermès scarves decorate the walls of the righthand stairwell (Photo by Amanda Vasquez)
This exhibition not only tells the story of the horse, but also the rich history of Hermès.
In 1800’s France, the now high fashion company began as a tack company. Wanting to serve customers a wider range of products, the company expanded into selling luxury goods, such as scarves. Each piece goes through a meticulous production process.
The elegance, colors, design and sheer size of these Hermès scarves is truly captivating. Madison Ward, public engagement manager at the Cowgirl Museum, explained that executive director Pat Riley came up with the idea to house these scarves. It’s no wonder these scarves are treasured by the Cowgirl Museum and their guests.
Amanda Vasquez is a junior journalism major, writing minor at TCU. She is from Westlake Village, California. She is a member of National Association for Hispanic Journalists, HerCampus and Student Media at TCU.
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