Style Q&A: A brand for the 'horse girl in all of us'
Credit to Author: Aleesha Harris| Date: Tue, 29 Oct 2019 18:00:43 +0000
You don’t have to be an equestrian in order to appreciate the brand Street and Saddle. Though, it wouldn’t exactly hurt.
The Vancouver-based clothing company offers designs inspired by the horse-riding world. But, while there are a few pieces made specifically with sitting in the saddle in mind, the majority of Street and Saddle’s styles are, in fact, meant to be worn outside the barn or arena.
We caught up with Katelyn Woodburn, the founder of the brand, to learn more.
Q. For those who aren’t familiar, what is Street & Saddle?
A.Street & Saddle is an equestrian clothing brand for women. Based on traditional craftsmanship methods; we use natural, vintage and technical fabrics. We are excited to be adding menswear to the collection over the next coming seasons.
Q. Is there a story behind the name?
A. I grew up riding, coaching and competing in equestrian sport — in Three Day Eventing, to be exact. I remember leafing through issues of Vogue when I was 14, and seeing references to horses and riding attire throughout. I remember thinking; there must be a way to connect this whimsical and nostalgic aesthetic into a contemporary riding apparel brand. Since then, the idea has been stuck in my head. I came up with the name when I was 18, registered the business at 19, and now at 25, here it is.
A model wears the Burgundy Wool Tailoralls from the Vancouver-based brand Street and Saddle, $275.
Q. What is it about equestrian-inspired style that you find so captivating?
A. I love that horses are so embedded in almost every culture, long after they’ve outlived their “usefulness.” At first glance, the brand seems very niche. But almost everyone, rider or not, has an innate admiration and respect for equines. They have influenced our histories, traditions, and yes — the way we dress. Everyone has a story about the time they met a horse.
Q. Who is your target customer?
A. Those in search of unique fabrics and sharp tailoring, without sacrificing comfort and performance. With equestrian style so embedded in formal and professional attire, we strive to have fun with elevated pieces, and thoughtfully put together tailored fits with unexpected details. We aim for young professionals between 25 and 40, but have clients well into their retirement years looking for proper tailored garments.
Q. The collection is all designed/made in Vancouver. Why is local production so important to you?
A. Ethical and sustainable practices are integral to me as a designer. But on top of that, I find that being hands-on with our manufacturing is what inspires me creatively. Sewing is a highly skilled, yet very undervalued trade. Our manufacturing functions off of learning from experts with decades of experience, and making sure their knowledge is passed down an excited new generation of craftspersons.
With the advantage of having all of our manufacturing in-studio, we can easily accommodate custom sizing and styling for our customers. Many of our pieces are very small batch or even one-of-a-kind, using small amounts of vintage fabrics. This also greatly reduces the impact of dead-stock inventory.
Q. Where can people check out Street & Saddle designs?
A. We sell primarily online, and are showcased at local markets such as First Pick — an amazing upscale fashion market at Heritage Hall that happens twice per year. We’ve started to make ourselves available through a few small boutiques along the west coast of North America. Our Strathcona studio is also open by appointment.
Q. What is the price range for the pieces?
A. We have current collection pieces at available prices around the $100 price range and more premium options upwards of $425.
Q. Lastly, what’s next?
A. Our fall collection has landed with an amazing response. For our equestrian client, we’re expanding our collection of technical riding styles, with jackets and breeches coming next season. Think: elegant blazers and fitted pants made from European performance fabrics.
For the horse girl in all of us, we have a spring and summer collection that pulls from the riding rings of Southern California and injects it into your vacation essentials.