FOUNDER: COURTNEY PITTMAN

WHY DO YOU CALL AUSTIN HOME

I have lived in Austin since 2010 - I have an amazing community of friends in this city which really makes it feel like home. I also love the creative nature of the city, the music, the outdoor scene, and the overall vibe it offers that no other city does. I lived in San Francisco for a year a couple years and realized how much I love Austin and that it is home.

FAVORITE SONG/ARTIST/ALBUM FOR A SPARK OF CREATIVITY

When I am working on Western Darlin or editing photos I am almost ALWAYS listening to Waylon Jennings or Lightning Hopkins. Those artists GIVE ME LIFE.

BIGGEST DEBATE OF ALL: COFFEE or TEA, BE SPECIFIC ;)

TEA ALL THE WAY. I love tea. I am a super morning person and don't really need coffee. I love the benefits of tea. Also, coffee breaks me out - NO THANK YOU.

WHO DO YOU FOLLOW FOR INSTAGRAM INSPIRATION

I feel super inspired by @thejoshuatreehouse @elcosmico @electricwest

GO TO MID-DAY SNACK or ROUTINE FOR CREATIVE FUEL

HOT YOGA - I got into yoga about a year ago and I have never looked back. I am obsessed, it totally awakens me and gets those creative juices flowing. I really can't be without it now that I've taken the plunge.

WHERE DO YOU DESIGN BEST? EX: HOME, STUDIO, NATURE, ETC.

I design best at a studio or a coffee shop (with tea). If my home office is clean then I can feel the vibe. But it's usually not.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO BE AN ENTREPRENEUR

When I lived in San Francisco I missed Texas SO MUCH. That's where the whole idea of Western Darlin came about - out of a longing for Texas and the west. Here I am 3 years later still going strong!

WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST EXCITING MOMENT SO FAR OF WESTERN DARLIN

It's all been so much fun. I don't think anything will ever beat the first website launch and all the orders that came in. It was overwhelming, unexpected, and SO RAD. I was like, I'm really doing this.

HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE YOUR BRAND STANDS OUT

I really try to just stick with my aesthetic. Rugged, imperfect, desert - inspired, products and images really help my brand come together. When people see my products I hope they say, "That looks like Western Darlin!"

WHO HAS HAD THE MOST CREATIVE INFLUENCE ON YOUR LIFE

My mom is super creative and is always making things. She always has been. We would go to the antique mall all the time growing up, that was our thing. She taught me to look at something old and give it new life. I for sure got her creative genes.

HOW HAS SOCIAL HELPED YOUR BRAND GROW

I literally have only been using social media as a way of marketing. I has helped a ton. I don't think Western Darlin would be where it is today without it.

WHAT OTHER ARTISTS HAVE YOU LOVED COLLABORATING WITH

I recently did a fun collab with Wild Standard and had some custom flags made. They are AWESOME and Wild standard is so great.

TELL US ABOUT THE QUALITY OF MATERIAL YOU USE IN YOUR PRODUCTS

I use authentic leather for my refurbished bolo necklaces I make, as well as leather for our coasters, keychains, chokers, etc. All of our shirts are made in Los Angeles and screen printed here in Austin, TX. We try to source locally for screen printing.

HOW IMPORTANT IS SHOPPING LOCAL TO YOU

I try to shop locally, eat locally, but more than that I just really love to support small businesses. Especially now that I own my own - I know all the hard work that goes into it. Someone somewhere is really doing a happy dance when an order is made - I just love that!

HOW HAS THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY SUPPORTED YOU

It's been great. Austin is such a great place to start a business. It is a very supportive environment and not competitive.

WOULD YOU BE OPEN TO A DESIGN COLLAB WITH A LOCAL AUSTIN ARTIST

DUH DOT COM!

WHAT IS ONE THING YOU WISH PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT WESTERN DARLIN

Western Darlin is not just for women or for people who like "country" things. It is more of a brand that encompasses the lifestyle of a badass, free spirited human, who enjoys road trips, the desert, and drinking whiskey and beer in dive bars. The name can be deceiving sometimes!

WHAT DOES “HIGH DESERT INSPIRED GOODS” MEAN

All of our goods in some way are inspired by the high desert. Every time I leave the desert I leave my heart there. So I try and make my brand bring the desert back to Austin in some way (or wherever you are).

SHOP WESTERN DARLIN

AUSTIN LOCAL INSIDER RECOMMENDATIONS

MUST-SEE RECOMMENDATION(S) FOR THOSE TRAVELING TO AUSTIN

I know it's so touristy BUT South Congress Street. I mean, it's touristy for a reason - it's rad! So much to do and you get a great view of the capitol. There's also tons of local shops. I would also say THEY MUST go to the hill country. Go to a winery. Go on a hike. There's so much to see out there that people (not from Texas) don't realize. Basically, just be outside.

FAVORITE LOCAL FOOD TRUCK

Pueblo Viejo, HANDS DOWN. BEST TACOS IN TOWN, NO DIGGITY NO DOUBT.

FAVORITE LOCAL CURATED BOUTIQUE

I really love The Fox Den and Laced with Romance

FAVORITE LOCAL COFFEE SHOP(S)

Oh man, this one is tough. Cafe Medici has the BEST Chai, Figure 8, Manana, Flat Track

WHERE CAN SUPPORTERS FIND YOUR PRODUCTS

They are all at westerndarlin.co - also keep a lookout for upcoming pop-up shops in Austin!