Texas state fair fixture Big Tex made its return on Friday along with a new pair of Lucchese boots.
The 55-foot-tall cowboy will now be able to show off his Texas pride in a new pair of size 96 Lucchese boots custom-designed by Big Tex boot design contest winner Jessica Bonilla. The boots were unveiled at an event inside the Big Tex Circle in Fair Park on Friday morning, just in time for the fair’s kick-off.
Fallon Appleton, senior manager of brand communications at Lucchese Bootmaker, told FN that the new design “captures what Texas is about,” from the landscape, the changing skies, the flora and fauna. “At Lucchese, we embrace all things Texas,” Appleton said. “It’s the fabric of who we are.”
According to Appleton, the partnership between the 140-year-old footwear company and the state fair of Texas first started in 2013. “The boots first paid homage to Lucchese’s State Boot Collection, which was created in 1949 when Lucchese was commissioned for an advertising campaign,” the executive said.
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In 2019, the Big Tex boot design contest idea was born, where all Texans have the opportunity to create Big Tex’s newest pair of custom boots.
“Being a partner with the state fair for 10 years is something Lucchese is extremely proud of,” Appleton added. “The relationship symbolizes the strong bond between two iconic, almost 150-year-old Texas brands. Every year, millions of visitors’ head to the fair, say a big ‘Howdy’ to Big Tex, and snap a picture with the famous Texan.”
This news comes as western fashion, especially cowboy boots, continues to sweep the fashion industry. Holly Mery, Lucchese’s women’s design director, told FN in March that people have found a new way to express themselves in wearing cowboy boots. “To say they are a ‘trend’ surprises me because cowboy boots are one of the oldest forms of footwear,” said Merry. “They have stuck around for many reasons; they are durable, made to last, comfortable, flattering and protective.”
This trend was further cemented in June when Lucchese unveiled a line of cowboy boots with Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Chris Stapleton.
