new boot goofin'

Houston-area country star rides again with new Lucchese collab

Country star Parker McCollum and iconic bootmaker Lucchese saddle up for The Encore, a second collaboration celebrating heritage and modern Western style.

Photo by Gustav Schmiege III

Much like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok, or Johnny Cash and June Carter, Parker McCollum and Lucchese Bootmaker are fast becoming an iconic Western duo.

On the heels of a successful collaboration last year, the pair are teaming up again for Lucchese x Parker McCollum: The Encore. Debuting this Friday, June 13, their new line will feature four men's boots, apparel, and accessories. McCollum announced the collection ahead of his March 2025 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo performance, saying, "I couldn't think of a better way to announce this collection in my hometown – while doing what I love and performing in front of thousands of fans. The Houston Rodeo has a special place in my heart."

Fans of the previous collaboration, featuring the sold-out boots Evening Patriot and Hollywood Gold, have more to look forward to with the release of two new colorways and the debut of a new style, The Limestone Kid. Handcrafted in Texas in Lucchese's signature horseman silhouette, each boot tells a unique story through its design and craftsmanship.

Evening Patriot honors military service and veterans, while the updated tobacco-and-purple and platinum-and-merlot editions of Hollywood Gold romanticize the spirit of the West with their rich color palettes. The Limestone Kid pays tribute to the tenth anniversary of McCollum's 2015 debut album and his deep family roots in Limestone County, Texas.

The new Lucchese x Parker McCollum boots blend handcrafted artistry with bold Western storytelling.Photo courtesy of Lucchese Bootmaker.

"The best way I can describe my partnership with Lucchese over the past few years is that it has truly felt like home, and home is everything," said McCollum. "It means the world to me and plays a huge part not only in my music but also in who I am as a whole. Home is a place where you feel seen and understood, and it's something Lucchese and I have really connected on."

The new collection will feature two Pima cotton tees in black and white and two button-down shirts with pearl snaps. Two baseball caps with a script Lucchese logo are also available, and with every exclusive Lucchese x Parker McCollum script hat purchase, a portion of proceeds will benefit the singer's charity, The Ruger Fund, which supports philanthropic charities close to his heart.

"Lucchese could not be more thrilled to partner with Parker McCollum once again to create The Encore collection," said Doug Kindy, president of Lucchese, in a statement. "Parker is more than just a collaborator – he's part of the Lucchese family. His deep appreciation for Western heritage and unwavering commitment to authenticity align seamlessly with our brand. After the overwhelming success of the first collection, we are honored to continue this journey together, creating boots that embody the craftsmanship, storytelling, and tradition that both Parker and Lucchese value."

The Lucchese x Parker McCollum collection will be available online and in-store at Lucchese retail locations.

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all sales final

Houston-based clothing chain Francesca's shuttering all stores nationwide

Francesca's/ Facebook

Francesca's is known for its boho-chic dresses and tops.

After a decade of falling fortunes, Houston-based women’s clothing chain Francesca’s is clearing out all its racks. The once-mighty retailer is closing all of its nationwide stores, including its 15 Houston-area locations.

Although the company has not made any official pronouncement, Women’s Wear Daily reports that the brand is currently in the process of liquidating all of its inventory. According to the fashion industry trade journal, some employees are reporting that they were let go without warning, while vendors are allegedly seeking payment on hundreds of millions of dollars in unpaid invoices.

Francesca’s was founded in Houston in 1999, becoming sought out for its boho-chic offerings that occupied a similar lane to Anthropologie. Over roughly 15 years, it quickly ramped up its footprint, peaking at over 600 locations by 2016.

That explosive growth did not prove to be popular with shareholders. That same year, the Wall Street Journal reported that its stock prices had plunged to their lowest price since Francesca’s went public in 2011. Despite leadership changes, the chain has been on a downward slope since.

In 2020, Francesca’s filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection while it sought a buyer for its online operation and brick-and-mortar stores. The chain closed almost 250 of its storefronts by early 2021.

After completing reorganization and being bought out of bankruptcy by an affiliate of TerraMar Capital and Tiger Capital Group, Francesca’s attempted a revival by launching a tween line, Franki by Francesca’s, and gobbling up celebrity-endorsed lifestyle brand Richer Poorer.

It’s unclear exactly when the Houston stores will shutter, but the company recently changed its return policy to state all sales are final after January 14. A request to Francesca’s corporate headquarters for comment was not immediately returned.

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