Random Maker

Ladysmith Custom Chaps

Creative Designs, One Customer At A Time

 

Its funny how life’s trails take us from one point to another.

 

Take Fern Cone, whose career in leatherwork has taken her from coast to coast over the past two-plus decades.

 

And its led to her well-recognized work at Ladysmith Chaps.

 

It all started when she took a part-time job in a one-man shop that specialized in leather handbags. "I was the apprentice that swept the floors and did the menial work. But after about five or six years, I was doing all the production. It was just something I took to. I enjoyed it".

 

At about that time, Fern began using more of her creative talents by designing purses and handbags. But she was looking for a new challenge: "I’d always loved horses, and this was a skill you could use in the horse industry. So I decided to channel my work into that".

 

Now before we go any further, we should explain that Fern loved horses, but she didnt have much riding experience ("I’ve never owned a horse. That was always my dream since I was a child. But I’m no closer to it today".). But that didn’t stop her; Fern went to saddlemaking school in Spokane. And after a brief stopover in Tennessee, making miniature horse equipment, she moved to the Virginia horse country and began making chaps — mostly English. This was in 1988.

 

Until 2001, when necessity reared its head again: she was laid off from her job. "I was forced off the end of a gangplank, more or less". And she took the plunge into starting her own business, still based in the horse country.

 

Ladysmith Chaps was born.

 

It was pretty basic at first. Most folks wanted your typical brown cow leather or black suede chaps, with little or no frills. But as her business grew, so did the variety of customer requests. Fern now makes motorcycle, work, shotgun, English, Western, batwing, and cutting chaps. And she’s dying for the chance to make some old-style woolies.

 

At the same time, folks want their chaps to be something of a fashion statement — and Fern’s extensive experience in various types of leatherwork, from saddlemaking, handbags, garments and even sculpture — allows her creativity to really show. She works with fringe (every strand is cut by hand), inlays, conchos, buckles, embroidery and more. Theres also an increasing demand for exotic materials such as alligator, ostrich, elephant, etc. to add as trim.

 

The real hallmark of Ladysmith Chaps — each pair is made by Fern herself, specifically for the individual: "A customer came to me with a photo of their saddle, which had feathers carved into it. I had to find the right color to accent the saddle, which was a beautiful reddish-brown. Then I used the feather motif and I did cutouts in the chaps to accent the saddle".

 

The possibilities are almost endless, which makes Fern’s job a lot of fun. Some customers even ask her to "create something for me". And after finding out about their likes and dislikes, the horse, the saddle, why they ride and more, she comes up with a unique design. The buyer doesnt even have to set foot in her shop; most business is conducted long distance.

 

But with all of that, Fern says quality leatherwork still comes down to one basic thing: "I use only the top grain cow hide. The top grain is where the real strength of the leather is. If you want your chaps to last for years, you only use top grain cow hide". And it looks better, too.

 

So what does she recommend for cowboy mounted shooters who are looking for a good pair of chaps? Elk hide, which is already popular among some in cutting horse. It’s a bit grainier and softer than other materials. "You want to emphasize the quick movement of the horse", says Fern. "They’re also much more comfortable, more breathable. They feel like they’re broken in as soon as you put them on". And they stand up under a lot of hard wear.

 

For Fern Cone, her career path brought her to a good place in life. But maybe it’s more than just fate that pushed her into creating chaps. The logo for Ladysmith is a 1930 photo of a western New York cowgirl, smiling at the camera and sticking her thumbs in the pockets of her vest. She’s in full regalia of boots, hat, Western shirt, and gun — and, yes, she is wearing chaps. The woman is Fern’s Aunt Belle; it’s unclear what she was doing in those duds. But Fern says it represents a lot of what Ladysmith Chaps is all about.

 

Fern Cones website at www.ladysmithchaps.com has more information and how you can work with her on a pair of chaps. Or phone (540) 955-3056.

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