Whether it’s an annual tradition or the literal, proverbial first rodeo, dressing up for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is about making a statement. And few statement pieces check off the luxury/if-you-know-you-know/insider boxes like Christina Greene’s signature rodeo scarves.
Locally beloved for her trademark turquoise pieces, fine jewelry line, and haute accessories — Greene has crafted limited-edition, 100-percent-silk rodeo scarves for the past three years, each with its own style and theme. These coveted pieces are designed by Greene and produced by another locally owned, female-owned shop: Saturday Silks.
This year, the charming jewelry maven Greene is back with another must-have silk scarf; this year’s theme includes guitars, boots, and a loving nod to her friend and rodeo chairman of the board, Pat Mann Phillips. Each corner boasts imagery and design that’s easy to show off no matter how it's worn.
Why scarves? Stylish women everywhere use them to create pop, round out an outfit, or in many cases (see Coachella), as a blouse. Designer scarves like that of Hermès fetch handsome prices and are often handed down in families. What better way to make a fringe leather jacket or cowgirl chic fit stand out than with the ultimate IYKYK piece of rodeo silk?
Heck, even stylish gents don them for rodeo, wrapped and tied around the collar in traditional, fine Western wear fashion that can turn a Houston day trader into John Dutton with one knot.
Like any must-have fashion item of a particular season, Greene’s scarves are ultra-limited edition and will go fast. With that in mind, Greene — an Hermès purist herself — has created an Hermès-style twilly this year to pair with her scarf or use alone to adorn a purse, hat, or even wrist.
Greene models her scarf for inspo.
Photo courtesy of Christina Greene
Savvy shoppers can round up these regal rodeo collab items at her Rice Village boutique or online now, but be warned: once they’re gone, they’re gone.
CultureMap caught up with the nonstop Greene, who this year, joined the rodeo board. She shares her love of scarves and how best to wear her items.
CultureMap: Congratulations on another year of the hottest rodeo accessory. What was your inspiration for a signature rodeo scarf when chic cowgirls have no shortage of flair?
Christina Greene: Thank you! So, in the past a lot of the scarves you’ve seen are actually more like bandanas. You’ll have your yellow one for the parade, your white one that you get at auctions if you purchase something, or a pink one if you purchase at the pig auction.
But there hasn’t been anything that’s actually a scarf for rodeo. And so, that’s kind of where Saturday Silks and I came up with this idea a few years ago. I was like, ‘hey, like, let’s just grow on it, similar to how Hermes has a different limited edition scarf each year. Let’s add a date to it or a year to it and do a different one every year. So, this is now our third scarf that we’ve done together. This year’s has my red hat band on it, last year’s was my signature turquoise.
CM: And this year’s has special meaning for you.
CG: Yes, this one’s super exciting for us because it actually pays tribute to Pat Mann Phillips who’s the first female chairman of the board. It has her brand on it, so it’s very specific to this year.
CM: We hung out with her at the entertainer reveal party. She’s lovely — what a force.
Note the colors and a nod to first female rodeo chairman of the board, Pat Mann Phillips.
Photo courtesy of Christina Greene
CG: She's wonderful. I’ve been very lucky to get to know her over the years and we’re both on Amiga’s Para Niños together, which is also great because I get to spend more time with her even outside of rodeo.
CM: Since you designed these pieces, could you share how best to wear them?
CG: I feel that everyone has a different way that they love to wear scarves. I had a scarf on last night because I spilled something on my shirt so it covered it up.
CM: Man, I need to get some scarves…
CG: [Laughs] So the beauty about this scarf is it has a lot of bright colors in it: there’s red, there’s navy — everyone loves to wear a good jean out to Rodeo — and there’s our signature turquoise in here. So your turquoise jewelry goes with it.
You know, we’ll probably have that one cold day: throw it on with your fur vest or fur jacket and that way you have that pop of color. I’m a big white button down girl, but I’m also a big blazer girl. So those are two really important ways you could wear it. Another of my favorite ways is to just fold it in half and throw it over your shoulders.
I’ve been using our statement ring to make it as a scarf ring, just like the pearl, which makes it a statement over a white blouse. I’ve also seen men roll it up and wear it inside of their shirts, as well.
CM: Yeah, I’m trying that this year for sure.
CG: Yeah! So the nice thing is there are many ways that you can wear it. I’ve also had a customer tie around her waist and wear it as a belt. One girl wore it as a top!
CM: Ah, Coachella meets RodeoHouston. Got it. I would suggest that to my wife, but she’s far too modest.
CG: [Laughs] Yes! If you’re very adventurous, you can wear it as a top.
CM: Ladies love their Hermès scarves and your rodeo scarves are kind of born from your love of them. Is that why you introduced an Hermès-style twilly?
An Hermès-inspired twilly makes for a great accessory for your accessory.
Photo courtesy of Christina Greene
CG: I love Hermès scarves — it’s actually a tradition. My husband buys me a new one every year for Christmas. And my daughter has the Texas one framed above her crib in her bedroom. So we love them.
This is our first year doing a twilly. I realized that it could be worn as a hat band, it could be worn on a purse, a pair of boots, a bracelet, you know, even around your neck. We just really wanted to add to the option of the scarf. It still has the same exact look, the hat bands on the back of it, which is so pretty.
CM: Folks may not know that you’re kind of a big rodeo deal. You’re heavily involved, and your power publicist Whitney tells me you’re the youngest board member this year, yes?
CG: Yes, I’m on Trailblazers and Mutton Bustin committees. I’m definitely following in my dad Rick’s footsteps for sure, and my grandfather Durwood’s footsteps, too, being heavily involved.
CM: You’re doing those gents proud. Any particular RodeoHouston shows or nights you’re really excited to rock your scarves?
CG: Wow, that’s a tough one because I’m there almost every single day. Whitney is going with me to see Laney Wilson, and I’m really looking forward to the junior steer auction — that’s part of Amigas Per Ninos and it’s something that my husband and I started to participate more in last year. We bought a steer out there and it’s just a really cool event for me because it’s all about helping kids.
So for me, the rodeo isn’t just about performers. It’s about the other activities, too, that go on that make it so important.
-----
Round up the Christina Greene signature rodeo scarves and twillies at her Rice Village boutique (2528 Amherst St.) or online.
Photo courtesy of Christina Greene
Beloved jeweler Christina Greene is back with her popular rodeo scarf and — new this year — rodeo twilly.
