Double D Ranch dared to reimagine a classic, and created a collection that appeals to both the James Dean and the Liz Taylor in us all.
If you haven’t seen Giant, you should. It has EVERYTHING.
It’s got Rock Hudson, it’s got Liz Taylor, it’s got James Dean.
It’s got old money and new money, it’s got grit and glamour, it’s got privilege and humility. It proves money can’t buy happiness.
It has family feuds, and fistfights, and oh my word, does it have fashion.
Not only does it embody so much of the Western vibe Double D Ranch is known for, but it also takes you on a journey with the characters. Throughout their evolution, you love them and hate them and back again, but somewhere along the way, you identify with them.
The 1956 blockbuster film and its bevy of characters were the inspiration behind Double D Ranch’s fall collection.
“I’ve long since wanted to do a Giant-inspired collection,” says Double D Ranch designer Cheryl McMullen. “The film has always been atop my list of all-time favorite movies, but it also evokes emotion and nostalgia in me.”
But Giant is a classic. It’s an epic. It’s Texas’ Gone with the Wind. And you simply can’t mess with a classic; you can’t recreate it and you certainly can’t top it.
“We had to rethink it and make it our own,” McMullen says. “So, I flipped the lens through which I was envisioning the pieces and the process. Rather than what was on the screen driving what came out on my sketchpad, I imagined and created as if Double D Ranch was designing the costumes, dressing these characters and their Giant (pun intended) personalities.”
The collection manifested into four seasonal subcollections:
Wildcatter, early fall transitional collection
Based on James Dean’s character, Jett Rink, it features a heavy presence of denim, prairie prints, and the popular patchwork trend.
Cattlemen, fall collection
Inspired by the lifestyle and luxury of the Benedicts (played by Rock Hudson and Liz Taylor), it is a mix of industrial and elegant, branded leathers and basics alongside furs and embroidered velvets.
Riata, winter collection
Influenced by the Mexican aspects of both the film and its South Texas upbringing, the collection incorporates matador-like silhouettes and soutache embroidery and celebrates strong red hues.
And coming soon:
Baron’s Ball, our holiday collection
This is a luxurious line reminiscent of Jett’s extravagant event, in which you can expect deep purples and muted metallics, velvets, fur, and shimmer.
Mark your calendars for the launch of this collection November 19th.
Beyond Giant being the inspiration, Double D Ranch actually photographed the collections on Giant-genuine locations.
“Authenticity has always been important to us, in everything we do,” McMullen says. “But it was paramount when it came to touching such a classic.”
And they delivered. The Double D Ranch team traversed Texas to stand on the same soil as the legends. The Wildcatter catalog features images of the very windmill that James Dean triumphantly climbed after pacing off his plot of land in the film. The photo shoot for Riata took place in front of the Richard King II Mansion, which is said to be the inspiration behind the Big House Edna Ferber wrote about in the novel.
Double D Ranch’s fall and winter collections are legendary in a lot of respects, and they offer a Giant upgrade to your wardrobe, with all the attitude of James Dean and the luxury of Liz Taylor.
Explore the collections or contact the customer care team at [email protected] to request a catalog.