Today we’d like to introduce you to Zephan Parker.
Hi Zephan, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey of art expression began with word art – graffiti over 25 years ago. Arranging letters in words, pushing them to the boundaries of their shapes and forms of expression. My style began to settle in as the urban hip-hop community embraced the classic styles of Ralph Lauren and other American designers as symbols of status. Here, the journey to a more modern western style began to unfold. As time went by, I took an interest in the world of Western boot making, spending thousands of hours cultivating this craft with a determination to build the next generation of American craftsmen. My journey began in Lampasses, Texas, with one of the Jass brothers, next to Comanche with Eddie Kimmel at Kimmel Boot Co., and one of the final phases with a shop in Houston, Texas – Wheeler Boot Co.
I’ve always had a passion for people, teaching, and culture, and this would be the lens through which my craftsmanship would be viewed. And so, the journey began, I started Parker Boot Company in a small shop in the general Heights area a Houston, Texas. With a passion to combine style, artistic expression, and craftsmanship in the modern western cowboy boot.
As the founder, creative director, and designer at Parker Boot Company, I merge the spirit of the West, the soul of Texas, and the multicultural influences of Houston to embody the modern cowboy boot. Something to wear, something to celebrate, and above all, something to be proud of.
Today, I march into the future, training and team-building the next generation of American western boot makers; we are American craftsmen.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Adapting is one of the great ways to overcome a challenge or obstacle. In our brand we have decided to add a unique option in the market space that allows for the client to share in our story and heritage – Made to Order. For the world of those who enjoy quality leather western boots, it can be a challenge to take the leap on something bespoke/custom and wait in line for months. This problem is solved by offering a standard design in standard sizes with an expedited turn around which we is made possible by the Made to Order program we launched. Each pair is made in-house on the same tables of our bespoke custom handmade cowboy boots.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
The styles we selected for the Made to Order program are unique to what we enjoy about what our clients love and using the techniques and material we use throughout our entire process. Here is a layout of the two styles and their history.
The CALDWELL
Caldwell is a family name. It speaks to my mother’s lineage, her story, and family heritage. This heritage takes us to the mountains of Idaho and Utah, where horses run, and barbed wire fences creak in the cool wind. To embody this feeling, I chose a Western silhouette – a walking western heel and a set of traditional toes. A combination of inlay-overlay are used to make the ornate tops inspired by the short boots of the 1950s. A classic design with subtle changes in color give you something to feel confident and yet stylish without looking overplayed and out of class.
The KENT
Kent is my father’s name. The Patriarch of the family, as a musician and entrepreneur, his style is that of simplicity and focuses on logical use of clothing. From watching live performances on stage to long days in the office, I wanted to choose a style of boot that would meet this universal need while still maintaining a sense of grace and style. For the Kent, I chose a weekender shorter heel height and simple tops. This boot means business, yet with tonal consistency and small stitching details, it offers a classic look with a lux feel.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
At each level of business, knowledge learned from the previous journey is essential to the overall success of the next phase. When launching a Made to Order program, there are lots of lessons and techniques of delivery that change. Training and team management is key to success in managing these transitions. A cooperative spirit is one of the most valuable tools in a craftsman-based team, a reliance on one another and understanding one another so as to be able to ensure quality and overall satisfaction of the products and services made.
Pricing:
- Kent $995
- Caldwell $1696
- Bespoke $2500
Contact Info:
- Website: Parkerbootcompany.com
- Instagram: Parkerbootco
- Facebook: Parkerbootcompany
Image Credits
Parker Boot Company
