Fashion Designer Mason Burns Plans a Return to the APHA Show Arena
A New Realization
Fashion Designer Mason Burns Plans a Return to the APHA Show Arena
By Delores Kuhlwein
Former APHA exhibitor and Kansas native Mason Burns didn’t see much need to pursue showing after high school and while he earned a degree in Apparel and Textile Design.
Looking back now, however, on showing Pretty Versital, She’s Fancy Fancy, Pretty Much, Multiplicity, De De Delicious, Far Too Delicious, A Secret Addiction and Wicked Addiction from 2001 to 2014, Mason realizes what he is missing from his life. He says, “Being immersed in the show industry was and is a huge part of who I am.”
When the young, creative entrepreneur first completed high school, he was busy focusing forward on college, eventually transferring to Kansas State University where he received his Apparel and Textile Design degree, and showing horses fell by the wayside. “Horse showing became less of a priority for me after high school,” he explains. “At the time it seemed like a hand me down lifestyle that I didn’t feel obligated to continue.”
His fashion design career quickly flourished and he earned national recognition at just age 22 for his designs at FashioNXT, a fashion week second only to the famous New York Fashion Week. He notably worked with White Bark Workwear for two years and is now developing his own personal clothing and accessory brand, Lorraine, that he’s working on fulltime.
“Lorraine embodies pretty much everything I grew up with in Kansas and the memorable experiences I’ve had while visiting other parts of the world,” he explains. “In a nutshell, it is my personal identity that I am portraying and sharing through physical products and art.”
As he prepares to open a spot in downtown Los Angeles that will serve as an office and showroom for his
brand, he reflects upon his time spent in the horse industry.
“Every year I didn’t spend showing I have a notable amount of regret,” Masons says. “There were a lot of great shows and always great memories attached to them, from the Paint Horse Congress in Oklahoma to the Denver Stock Show in Colorado.” He explains that his favorite venue was the APHA World Championship Show in Fort Worth, Texas, an event that sparks memories for him of using scooters for transport, consuming Stubby’s cinnamon rolls and sweet tea, and the remembrances of Billy Bob’s Honky Tonk for the appreciation of cowboy celebration culture. “But of course, what makes the shows so great are the people you meet throughout the years,” he reveals.
Mason hopes to get back in the arena this fall at the APHA Halter World Championships and Breeders Futurities for a halter class.
“Long term, I would love to continue to own Paint Horses and someday share the memories and experiences with my children,” he says. “No matter what your involvement in the equestrian world was or still is, thank you for the great memories. I hope we can continue to create a fantastic community around our beloved horses.”
Most of all, he has given a lot of thought about what shaped him and what continues to speak to his heart, and that is the horse industry. “If there are any younger readers that need to take away something from this it’s to make the most of your time at the horse shows. It’s something you’ll always be happy you were a part of,” he says. “If you have any questions about the fashion industry I’d love to talk about it with you. See y’all this fall in Texas.”
Casual images photo credit: Lisa Wisner
