A01=Elizabeth Semmelhack
American West
ancient history
art
art book
artist gifts
Author_Elizabeth Semmelhack
beauty
biography
business
Category=AKTF
classic
coffee table book
coffee table books
color
cosplay
costume
cowboy
cowboy boots
cowboy history
cultural history
culture
design
design book
design books
dress
dresses
embroidery
england
eq_art-fashion-photography
eq_bestseller
eq_isMigrated=1
eq_isMigrated=2
eq_new_release
eq_nobargain
eq_non-fiction
essays
fashion
fashion book
fashion books
fashion books coffee table books
fashion coffee table books
fashion design
fashion design book
fashion designer books
feminism
french
gifts for artist
gifts for artists
historical
historical book
historical events
historical guide
historical stories
history book
history of america
history photography
illustrated book
inspirational
knitting
makeup
modern history
multicultural
Nudie Cohn's
philosophy
photo
photo book
self help
self improvement
sewing
style
top 10 best sellers
urban cowboy
visual storytelling
war history
western
western heritage
world history
Product details
- ISBN 9780847874163
- Dimensions: 180 x 305mm
- Publication Date: 10 Mar 2026
- Publisher: Rizzoli International Publications
- Publication City/Country: US
- Product Form: Hardback
Secure
checkout
Fast Shipping
Easy returns
From cowboy boots humble origins to their elevation as cultural icons, this far-ranging volume chronicles how their distinctive designs and makers have shaped and been shaped by American culture. Engaging narratives, insightful interviews, and vibrant images showcase the evolution through five transformative eras: 'Real' explores multicultural origins and the authentic cowboys who wore them; 'Rodeo' examines Western mythmaking through Wild West shows, early film, and dude ranches; 'Rhinestone' delves into country western music, Nudie Cohn s designs, and the shifting archetypes from Gene Autry s moral code to John Wayne s tougher persona; 'Red' investigates the boots emergence as luxury commodities during the Reagan years and Urban Cowboy phenomenon; and 'Reclaimed' presents contemporary reinterpretations from the Western-inspired fashion of Beyonce and Pharrell Williams to modern bootmakers. Complementing the authoritative foundation are thoughtful interviews that enrich the historical analysis: an Indigenous voice essay provides cultural perspective, Nudie Cohn s origin story offers industry context, and conversations with both traditional craftsmen and innovative makers demonstrate how the cowboy boot continues to evolve while honoring its heritage.
Elizabeth Semmelhack is the creative director and senior curator of the Bata Shoe Museum, where she has curated over twenty exhibitions, including the blockbuster traveling exhibition The Rise of Sneaker Culture. Previous titles include Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting Edge Kicks and Sneakers x Culture: Collab.
