Ciara Goes To The Dogs

Ciara goes to the dogs with hunky models at unveiling of Polo Ralph Lauren collection

Pop princess Ciara ditched boyfriend, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, for a few minutes at the presentation of the Polo Ralph Lauren collection Friday to get down with a group of male models and an Irish setter named Rory.

The actress, dressed in Lauren denim to match her boyfriend's attire, posed with the men in the Ralph Lauren offices that resemble a clubby room, with paintings of horses on the walls, tufted sofas and a fully-stocked bar. At one corner of the room, a Polo Ralph Lauren storefront was constructed especially for the occasion, but it wasn't open and only provided an opportunity for window shopping.

The men, artfully arranged in settings around sofas or the bar, showcased looks that include three-piece suites in faded denim and heritage cord, sometimes matched with sweats instead of slacks, military jackets with removable linings, sweater-like sport coats and chunky sweaters. The traditional camel topcoat has a slightly more unconstructed look and tartan slacks paired with a dark velvet jacket jazz up traditional formal attire.

Most of the menswear looks are in dark colors — when I was taking notes on my phone, it autocorrected to "bark colors," no doubt in tribute to Rory, who seemed a bit bored with the proceedings.

The rooms showcasing the Polo Ralph Lauren's womenswear looks for fall were considerably more uptown, in a tableau that resembled a glittery New York highrise apartment.

And the color palate was a bit lighter, too, with lots of grays and creme colors in the mix, along with some sparkly metallics for the nighttime party girl. Looks in the collection range from a light gray flight suit and wool ponchos, some with a Southwestern flair, paired with skinny jeans in gunmetal shades to menswear-inspired jackets and slacks.

Perhaps the most striking thing about the diverse set of models — men and women — was their range of hairstyles, from braids on women to shoulder-length hair on men. The Polo Ralph Lauren aficionado might dress in a conservative fashion, but he or she no doubt is ready to show more personality in grooming habits.

Ciara poses with Polo Ralph Lauren models and an Irish Setter named Rory.

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RODEO RUNWAY

Western glam takes over as RodeoHouston fans dress to impress

Photo by Gabi De la Rosa

Brooke Jones, Kiala Cardenas, Brittany Ruggeri, and Franschesca Jones.

Houstonians have dusted off their boots and rhinestones as the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is in full swing. Already one of the largest events in Texas, the crowds are continuing to grow. In 2025, more than 2.7 million people attended RodeoHouston, and this year the event is already on track for record-breaking numbers.

Livestock competitions, carnival rides, deep-fried food, and headlining concerts are the official reasons people come to the rodeo. Unofficially, however, people watching has become a sport all its own. The crowded walkways on RodeoHouston grounds transform into a Western-themed runway, where personal style is just as much of the experience as enjoying deep-fried Oreos or a Ferris wheel ride.

A wide range of outfits is always on display. Some attendees go all in with head-to-toe sequins, fringe on everything, and dramatically decorated hats. Others keep things casual with denim, boots, and graphic t-shirts, while groups of friends will often coordinate themed outfits for concert nights.

Rodeo Fashoin 2026 Emily Duran and Brylie Wagner.Photo by Gabi De la Rosa

No matter the style, there are two must-have accessories: cowboy hats and boots. Hats serve a dual purpose for both fashion and protection from the sun during daytime events. Boots are essential to rodeo style, but sometimes come with a painful learning curve.

Many attendees walk more than a mile from the parking lot to the grounds, and after exploring, they often add more than 20,000 steps. For those who did not properly break in their boots, the end of the day can involve blisters and a slow walk to the car, boots in hand.

“Rodeo fashion is so fun. My friends and I planned out outfits together, and we made sure we broke in our boots before tonight,” Teresa Delgado tells CultureMap. “When you are from Houston, you only make that mistake once.”

Rodeo Fashion 2026 Karson Graves, Reese, Lowery, Mackenzie Lewis, Natalie Doyle, Brandi Hunger, and Jenna Faulkner.Photo by Gabi De la Rosa

Some days have them whether it's official or it's an unspoken trend. When Megan Moroney took the stage, pink was the color of the concert, inspired by Moroney's album Cloud 9. Nearly 70,000 attendees filled the stadium in everything from flouncy pink ruffled outfits to bright neon boots and hats.

“We have really been looking forward to this concert,” said Ashley Little from Cypress. “I didn't think too much about my outfit at first, but my daughter wanted to coordinate, so here we are wearing pink together.”

Between carnival rides, mutton busting, and nightly concerts, the rodeo has plenty to see, but some of the most memorable moments are stopping to notice that fashion is just another part of the show.

Photo by Gabi De la Rosa

Brooke Jones, Kiala Cardenas, Brittany Ruggeri, and Franschesca Jones.

houston rodeo fashion western style