Not My Day Job: The Other Life of Clothing Designer Lindsey James
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By Lana Grieve
Lindsey James is a busy and focused entrepreneur who owns a custom show apparel business, a horse boarding facility, a new purse collection, and a new wine company. This ambitious and highly accomplished equestrian thrives on challenge, creativity, and unlimited sparkle.
As a Central California resident, James grew up on horseback among the picturesque San Andreas foothills. At the age of four, her first pony opened her heart and kindled a passion for the equestrian lifestyle that she’s immersed herself in ever since. “The horses hooked me from the beginning,” she says. “There was no stopping me. I’ve loved it my entire life.”
Refining her horsemanship skills as a youth in 4-H, she discovered the AQHA show circuit by age 10. She was the first person in her family to show horses. Her drive to be a fierce competitor grew, and by the time she was in college attending Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, California, she needed to find a way to earn money to continue showing her horses. That’s when the idea sparked to create Lindsey James Show Clothing.
Taught by her mother, who was a talented seamstress, James began exploring her abilities behind the sewing machine. “I started making clothing for myself when I was a teenager,” she says. “When I went to college, I started making clothing for friends and people I knew. My business started out very small and it took off in 2000. It has been non-stop ever since.”
Fourteen years later, Lindsey James Show Clothing, based in San Luis Obispo, and Showgirls Apparel, based out of Oklahoma City, are household names in the show clothing industry. James’s natural ability to create her own trends continues to set her company apart. Her pieces have dressed multiple World Champions at various breed circuits and are known by her clients to be impeccable and exquisite “works of art.”
“Trends are always changing, and my pieces are all elaborate and unique,” James explains. “Everything I makes is one-of-a-kind because people want to stand out and be set apart. It’s really about the fit and making sure outfits are appropriate for people’s body types. I love making people feel good about themselves and boosting self-confidence in the show pen.”
Following her instincts behind the sewing machine, James’s passions for design and horses coincided, leading her to tremendous success in the show ring. Active in breeding, raising, and showing her own Quarter Horses for the past 17 years under the guidance of trainers like Nancy Easton, Mike and Barbi Boyle, Nancy Renfro, Jennifer Thompson, Jimmy Stickler, Phillip Ralls, Brad Barkemeyer, and Reid Thomas, James has earned multiple Superiors and ROMs with numerous horses she has bred herself.
“I’ve had the opportunity to breed many babies at my ranch in Kentucky, and I’ve had a wonderful experience doing so,” she says. “I’ve met some amazing people in the industry and even took part in the Kentucky Breeders Incentive Program for a while. I still find the time to breed my own horses in California in between my work schedule.”
In 2008, James became a multiple World Champion competitor with her PHBA gelding, Mac in Time. Having already proven herself as an all-around exhibitor, James then shifted her interest to the working and reined cow horse events. “I will always love showing in the all-around events, but the adrenaline rush I experience from the working cow horse classes is very exciting,” she says. “I’ve had some success in the cow horse events now, and I’m enjoying the new chapter in my life. I can’t wait to see where it leads me.”
Familiar to many as a world class competitor and renowned clothing designer, James recently began two new business ventures, the LJ Collection of designer purses and Forever Cellars, a wine company featuring custom bottles of classic red blends from the Central California Coast.
Wanting to utilize scrap hides from custom jackets and chaps, James and her mother began to experiment with designing purses last year. After the official launch of her new venture, the LJ Collection, her products are quickly becoming known through online media and her Facebook pages.
“The LJ Collection was started just this year, so it’s only been a few months,” James says. “All of the purses are handcrafted and one-of-a-kind, like my show clothing. Most have hair on hide and some have rope handles. We can customize them with initials or brands. We are also offering cowhide wine bags, cowhide laptop cases or clutches, and other custom gifting items.”
Bringing a personal touch to people’s lives has been James’s livelihood and goal as an upscale designer for over a decade. Exploring her inner creativity, she decided to start a wine company complementary to her California roots.
Through the creation of Forever Cellars, James strives to transform select Central California grapes into luxurious bottles of wine. The logo of Forever Cellars is an infinity sign designed by James, which signifies the eternal need for celebration, love and sparkle.
“I felt inspired to develop Forever Cellars by my desire to escape from this fast-paced, mass production world,” she says. “I thrive in an environment of creativity and appreciate uniqueness. Above all else, I treasure my family and friends, and I am inspired to give back in a way that represents these aspects.”
Each bottle of Forever Cellars wine consists of a California Central Coast red blend. The classic bottles are handset with six authentic Swarovski crystals, making the bottles fit in with James’s need for bling. The product line includes Forever PINK, Forever LOVE, Forever LUCKY, Forever BLESSED, Forever MOM, and coming soon, Forever TOGETHER and Forever FREE.
“My goal is to produce unique bottles of wine that will lift your spirits and offer a taste that makes you want to raise your glass to familiar causes that touch our hearts,” she says. “I love giving my friends a meaningful experience. What better way to give them that than a bottle of wine? The gesture makes a cherished event that much more special, and my bottles of wine will add a little bling to any affair.”
The reaction to Forever Cellars has been greatly encouraging. “Forever PINK has been our most popular launch thus far,” she says. “We donate to breast cancer research for every sale of the Forever PINK bottle. Forever Cellars also supports organizations and charities through donations of our Elite bottles. These exclusive bottles are fully rhinestoned by hand with Swarovski crystals colored to complement the label and occasion.”
All four of James’s companies are run by her great team of ladies in San Luis Obispo, CA, out of her boarding facility, Coastal Equine Ranch, with the exception of Showgirls Apparel, which is mainly an online sales company run by her friend, Erin Gayer. James gives her gratitude to her talented and hard-working team.
“I wouldn’t be able to do it all without them,” she says. “We all work very hard to keep all of our wonderful customers and clients happy and looking fabulous. It’s a busy and hectic life, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
To contact Forever Cellars, visit www.forevercellars.com.
To contact Lindsey James, visit www.showgirlsapparel.com
