Go behind the scenes with C&I to meet the real Westerners who modeled in our spring fashion shoot.
The West isn’t just a place; it’s also the people who live, work, and thrive here, who are committed to the values and traditions of this American ideal. Our 2023 Spring Fashion shoot showcases the natural elements and classics of Western style, modeled by true Westerners. To bring the theme full circle, we asked the models to become our muses and tell us what they love about the region we call home.
Elizabeth Brumbaugh Quirk
C&I: What does the Western lifestyle mean to you?
Brumbaugh Quirk: Living the Western lifestyle is every day for me. It is the fabric of who I am. Our family is deeply immersed in this life; it is so much more than putting on cowboy boots; it’s who we are daily. I love that this life is something that has transcended each generation of our family. It is a legacy tradition that I intend to pass on to my son and daughter. It is an unspoken standard in good manners, hard work, and dedication to Western heritage.
C&I: What is your No. 1 Western item?
Brumbaugh Quirk: My staple Western item is quite simply my cowboy hat. It’s when I feel most comfortable and most in line with who I am. Whether it’s competing at an NCHA event with my competition pecan felt or spending a summer afternoon in my straw, any occasion is perfect with my cowboy hat.
C&I: What was your favorite part of the spring fashion shoot?
Brumbaugh Quirk: I loved getting to work with the best team in the industry. Working with the entire styling team and the incredibly talented Scott Slusher and Wyatt Wentz was an absolute dream. Having my mom and daughter in a few photos made it all the more special. It was an honor to host this amazing shoot at our family ranch and to showcase our life on a day-to-day basis. This is truly us.
Mercedes Maddox
C&I: What is your favorite part of living the Western lifestyle?
Maddox: My favorite part about living in the West is the quality of people that I am surrounded by every single day.
C&I: What is your No. 1 Western item?
Maddox: My No. 1 Western item I love to wear is the cowboy hat, of course. Not only is the cowboy hat my family business and the legacy my father has left us, but the cowboy hat is the most recognizable piece of apparel on this planet. As my dad used to say, "The hat is not the accessory, it is the staple and everything else becomes the accessory."
C&I: What was your favorite part of the spring fashion shoot?
Maddox: The spring fashion shoot had so many memories, but the most memorable part was being with the incredible group of people that made the photoshoot come to life.
Treasure Maddox Hannah
C&I: What does the Western lifestyle mean to you?
Maddox Hannah: The Western lifestyle stands for honesty, respect, hard work, and trust. These true values are hard to find nowadays, and that is what makes the Western lifestyle and those in the industry such stand-up and respectable people.
C&I: What is your go-to Western item?
Maddox Hannah: My go-to Western item is always an American Hat Company cowboy hat. The truest representation of the Western way of life and an iconic staple. A cowboy hat garners attention and commands respect, all while being a fashionable statement piece. It is THE HAT FACTOR.
C&I: What was your favorite part of the spring fashion shoot?
Maddox Hannah: My favorite part of the spring shoot was being on set with such amazing and inspiring people, from the talent, photographers, stylists and set directors, it was a great day.
Kyle Hannah
C&I: What is your favorite part of living in the West or living the Western lifestyle?
Hannah: Living the Western lifestyle is the only lifestyle I know, and I wouldn’t change a thing about this way of life.
C&I: What is your go-to Western item?
Hannah: My go-to Western items are a cowboy hat and a pair of dark starched jeans.
C&I: What was your favorite part of the spring fashion shoot?
Hannah: My favorite part of the spring shoot was getting to hang out with photographer Scott Slusher and videographer Wyatt Wentz.
Jeremy Gauna
C&I: What does the Western lifestyle mean to you?
Gauna: The Western lifestyle to me means strength. Beyond the glamour and natural beauty, it’s a lifestyle that represents toughness in every shape and form. There is no soft in the Western lifestyle, at least to my knowledge, and that to me represents true strength for the people who came before and will come after us. I really enjoy the style, the energy, and the freedom of living the Western lifestyle. It represents the get-it-done regardless type, and I enjoy the knowledge that is shared throughout the lifestyle.
C&I: What is your go-to Western item?
Gauna: My American hat from the Best Hat Store. I have a black 40X hair/beaver cowboy hat that I absolutely love wearing. Of course I added my own things like a real eagle feather and a sweet side biter made by Hallett Peak/Matthew Hering. But the main reason this hat is my go-to is because of the message "Positive Times" that owner Keith Maddox created. I often tell people I love them when I leave or end a call, whether I know them or not, and the reason I do is because I want them to know that somebody does love them, and I may never get another chance to tell them again. So, I spread positivity everywhere I go regardless of what I have on. But when I wear that hat, I know it's a purpose I fully support.
C&I: What was your favorite part of the spring fashion shoot?
Gauna: 100% the people behind the scenes that get everything set up and are out there putting in the work to make us feel comfortable and look good. I mean everybody from top to bottom. It's a team effort but these people are so much more to me than that. They are FAMILY and I can't stress that enough. They are all so talented and you can see that they really put in the work and efforts to understand the ways of all of our people and it's reflected in their work. To all my family, I LOVE YOU!
Zuzanna Isham
C&I: What is your favorite part of living in the West?
Isham: Living the Western lifestyle means not letting the tamed ones tell me how to live. I love this land, its tradition, the freedom of thought, and the days spent in the saddle.
C&I: What is your go-to Western item?
Isham: A custom-built pair of stovepipe cowboy boots that fit my foot like a glove and can be worn all year round.
C&I: What was your favorite part of the spring fashion shoot?
Isham: Working with my yearling fillies for the first time in front of the camera. They did great, and I’m happy that they made their debut in Cowboys & Indians magazine.
Haven’t checked out our Ranch Romantics Spring Fashion 2023 photoshoot yet? Head over here to see our look books!
Photography: courtesy Scott Slusher
Shot on location at Brumbaugh Ranch
Hair & Makeup by Al Tidwell, Kim Dawson Agency