Have you ever watched an old western movie, wondering how cowboys were leaping all over the place without orthopedics? If their boots were anything like mine, then they were doing just fine. My pink cowboy boots have been a surprisingly versatile piece of my wardrobe. They capture attentions far and wide with a record number of people asking to buy them off of me. I have had cowboy boot collectors tell me, they have never seen a pair like them and colleagues implore me to sell my pair to them. They have adorned my feet on many occasions, whether it be an important meeting or a night out, and have become a bit of a lucky charm.

As an American operating as a de facto ambassador abroad, I have found myself particularly drawn to Western wear. Embodying some of the best qualities of being an American, it denotes a kind of spirit of adventure, being ready for whatever life will throw at you, and no-nonsense exploration. My life has brought me to far-off lands, where I need to hit the ground running and map out my own way. I guess I feel a certain kinship to the cowboy at times. Additionally, I’m not someone who shies away from my Americanness. I am a loud lover of Thanksgiving. I haven’t lost my West Coast twang according to my childhood accomplices. And I am down to strike up a conversation with whomever might cross my path, much to the chagrin of my European friends. My cowboy boots in their audacious bubble gum pink announce my presence without me even saying a word.

My fellow American friend Anna and I rocking our cowboy boots in Paris

The boots first came into my life on my first trip to Texas. I touched down in Dallas, unaware of the vintage treasures which would come my way.

We stopped in a store called Dolly Python. It’s everything you could imagine from a name like that and more. You slither in through the front door and are instantly greeted by racks and racks of fabulous vintage clothes, once owned by Dallas’ residents. Based on the evidence left behind from decades of glamour and bling, they really embody the saying, everything is bigger in Texas, even in terms of colors, textures, and prints. Texas has been my favorite place to thrift because of these fabulous gems and these boots were one of my first finds which started my love affair.

I first spotted these candy-colored concoctions while scanning the walls displaying rows and rows of well-loved cowboy boots. They instantly stood out from the crowd. Slipping right onto my feet, the leather caressing me as the elastic enveloped my ankle. A perfect fit.

Cowboy boots at Dolly Python (sourced from their blog)

Now, I hate to admit this, but in one of my bigger vintage blunders, I put the boots back. I naively thought to myself that I wouldn’t get much wear out of a pair of pink cowboy boots. I would probably find another pair like them down the line. After all, I had just touched down in the Lone Star State and this was my first foray into the capital of Western wear. But throughout the following days, I couldn’t get them off my mind and I knew I had made a horrible mistake. I dialed Dolly Python and was miraculously able to put them aside as they hadn’t gone home with anyone else yet and swiftly swept them up on my way to the airport out of town.

The boots and I have grown together over the years, both of us becoming more weathered by life but gaining invaluable ease, which only gets better with age. All that remains as far as a clue to their lineage is a faint mark where the Old Gringo stamp used to be. Eroded away like a trusty Roman stair, lovingly bearing the imprint of those who have journeyed across it throughout time. The memory of this stamp would prove to be a vital clue for the odyssey we are about to embark on.

I had spent hours upon hours combing the internet for clues as to the origins of my boots. Only uncovering one fraternal twin. The Chelsea cowboy cross-over boot proved to be incredibly allusive and the listing left much to be desired. It was in this moment of frustration that I had the idea to try to track down the creators behind these shoes as well as my other favorite vintage finds that so many of us love but so few have the answers to.

With a connection to the internet and a dream, I started my quest to find the creator. I quickly came to realize that owning a pair of Old Gringo boots for your first pair of cowboy boots is akin to getting a glossy charismatic Cadillac for your first car. Old Gringo was started in 2000 by Ernie Tarut and Yan Ferry. They combine top-of-the-line craftsmanship with fashion-focused design. Flash forward to today and Old Gringo has the largest handmade boot factory in the world with there being 225 steps to complete each boot. They remain sought-after boots in many collectors' grailed lists and have rave reviews across the board.

I reached out to Monika Kusinska-Paez, the head designer for Old Gringo boots. I expressed my love for my trusty pair and my quest to find their origins. She immediately dove into the rabbit hole with me, expressing that she is a fellow lover of vintage. Within five minutes, we had a name and a family tree.

I own a pair of Zapata boots. The style (and my pair) is 18 years old according to the Old Gringo archives. It was created well before Monika started at the brand. Upon some further research, we were able to put a name to the question of who the designer of the boots was, a man named Nacho Ignacio Torres Aldana.

Nacho is an incredibly talented senior designer and pattern drafter who works at the Old Gringo factory in Leon, Mexico. He was not the easiest man to track down, but where there’s a will there’s a way. In another stroke of great luck, Monika informed me that she would be heading down to the factory and would be able to sit down with Nacho and interview him on my behalf. With the list of burning questions sent off and much bated breath, I have here for you, the interview transcription from Monika with the one and only Nacho.

How long have you been working at Old Gringo?

I have been working for Old Gringo for 22 years since 2002. I started on February 4th, 2002.

When did you first discover bootmaking?

I have been in the boot making industry since the 1990s. I started working in Cristobal Romero boot factory in Leon in 1990. I live in Leon and most local people often get drafted to work in the boot making industry. Eventually it became my passion, I love this industry and this is why, I haven’t looked for another path in life. I found it my WHY to do WHAT in life.

What's your favorite design you have ever made?

Eagle & Belinda are my favorite boot styles and these 2 are in our VAULT - classic best sellers. They have been selling for over 20 years. At the beginning I used to work very closely with one of the founders of Old Gringo. I followed instruction and it was a great collaboration and it was my big break and incentive to fulfill the owners need for new designs and innovation at the time. I am grateful to have been able to grow in the company and grow personally in my craft.

The Eagle and Belinda Boots

What was the design inspiration behind the Zapata style?

When I first started there was an existing short boot but it was plain and simple, so I made the boot taller, added pointy toe and added stitching to make the new style distinguished to the brand. It was a very successful launch.

Nacho holding the pattern for the Zapata Boots

What do your favorite pair of boots in your wardrobe look like?

"Un ViIla" After my first trip to the USA in 2007 I made my own pair of boots - and it became my favorite special pair - I custom made this particular pair.

The Villa Boot

How many pairs of boots do you think you have designed?

No way of making this assumption. But when I see my boots it takes me back when I designed them.

Who taught you to be such a talented boot maker?

(Monika interjection: We both laughed and said "we were born this way"... )

The designing started when I was working at Cristobal Romero, but I always enjoyed drawing cartoon characters and I would make a drawing of all the people in the office. One day the son of the owner saw my drawing on his desk and passed the drawings to his father and immediately asked his father (the owner of the company) to move me to do creative work. When I got called to the big boss office, I thought I was getting fired because of the cartoon drawings (using my time to draw and not work). But instead, the owner went straight to the point, and offered me a designer post - based on the talent they found in my cartoon drawings - ever since I was drawing new boots and I was promoted to the design post and took some schooling to grow into a designer profession for life.

What should people look for in a good pair of boots? What are some of the hallmarks of a good pair of boots?

I recommend boots I like from the classic collection, to start building a collection. Classic is the best way because the boots will last long time being well made by hand. Fun fact: one time at the end of the year party I designed my own pair and wore my new boots. When I saw the owner I introduced my boots to him and the next day the owner wanted this style in production.

What is your personal style like?

Cowboy boots, soft point, chocolate Caiman Crocodile. Not too much embroidery on the shaft.

The Richmond can give you the Nacho look

Where do you like to wear your boots? Do you wear them everyday or save them for special occasions?

I wear boots every day, if it was up to me I could wear my boots to sleep.

What excites you about fashion and footwear today?

I like the vintage look, with a fresh kick, to see influence of fashion on classic wearable footwear.

A few of the many stand out boots currently avalible at Old Gringo

What do you resonate with outside of boot making? What do you love to do in life?

Apart from boots I love motorcycles and ride one to work every day. I wish for a Harley but I ride a Honda.

If you want your own pair of Old Gringo Boots check out the selection I made above of some of their latest styles and have a look at some vintage styles I found below as well.

I want to give a huge thank you to Nacho for creating the boots that I love and have brought us all together, Cynthia for translating between Nacho and Monika, and Monika for being a fellow vintage aficionado and helping me bring this to life. I couldn’t have done this without any of you. I hope one day we can all meet in person and delve more into the world of Old Gringo.

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