1 of 5
Richard Rodriguez
2 of 5
Richard Rodriguez
3 of 5
Richard Rodriguez
4 of 5
Richard Rodriguez
5 of 5
Richard Rodriguez
Becoming a boot designer might sound like something that takes root in the dilapidated stables of a dusty Western town — somewhere between sprawling plains and rugged mountains. But for Chaz Pilarcik, founder of CHAZLYN Boots, it all started in a classroom in Fort Worth.
Though only 10, Pilarcik knew exactly what she wanted to do when she grew up. “I would imagine my own line, my own brand,” Pilarcik says. “It was something that was always there.” Pilarcik envisioned a world where boots weren’t just a fashion fad or utilitarian footwear for ranch hands, but a statement — a reflection of both personal identity and cultural heritage.
“I think I always wanted to design shoes because it was so out of reach,” she says. “Everyone around me was looking to become doctors, lawyers, and celebrities. I wanted to design boots. And not just boots — boots with a story.”
Despite growing up in the Fort Worth area, where the roots of Western wear and cowboy culture run deep, Pilarcik never felt a connection to the traditional cowboy boot. “It was great for its purpose,” she explains, “but I wanted to take the core of that tradition and push it forward.”
It was clear her vision went far beyond the Tarrant County line. Perhaps even as far as — dare we say — the West Coast. Truth is that her ideas might have required a tinge of California influence to push them across the finish line. As her company’s website puts it, Pilarcik “longed for life outside of the South.” Some people outgrow their hometown, and who’s anybody to stop them? She’d attend California State University, Long Beach, where she received her bachelor’s in fashion merchandising and would remain in the Los Angeles area post-graduation.
Pilarcik would then refine her creative edge while working as an art director — directing high-end photo shoots and mastering graphic design — for brands and boutique agencies. And with her childhood dream remaining an ever-present ambition, she’d make the leap into footwear in 2020. Concerning the timing, Pilarcik says the pandemic gave her an opportunity to reflect and take stock of the knowledge and skills she’d accumulated.
Richard Rodriguez
“I’ve always said starting a shoe company is way harder than you think,” Pilarcik admits. “But I knew I was ready. I wanted something that felt fresh and clean, something that could take traditional Western elements and give them a new life.”
Thus, in August 2023, CHAZLYN was born.
Rebuffing the traditional stitching and pointed toes that have come to define Western boots, CHAZLYN boots, currently made exclusively for women, pair a more rounded toe with 4-inch block heels and a sleek aesthetic that foregoes ornate or gaudy stitching patterns. They’re unmistakably cowgirl boots but also unmistakably more contemporary.
CHAZLYN, named for the amalgamation of Pilarcik’s nickname, Chaz, and her full first name, Chaslyn, clearly combines the spirit of Pilarcik’s Texas upbringing with the drive she found in Los Angeles.
“I wanted to make boots that would feel at home on the streets of New York but would still speak to someone from Texas,” Pilarcik says. “It’s about a boot that’s timeless but still contemporary. I wanted people to look at the boots and say, ‘That’s different,’ but in a good way.”
Pilarcik also made sure to combine style with substance, using design elements that go beyond aesthetics to ensure the boots can withstand the demands of a long day. To put it bluntly: They’re damn comfortable. It wasn’t just about making a pretty shoe; it was about offering a practical yet stylish option for those who wanted to wear something that felt like an extension of their own identity.
And, with the recent cowboy boot resurgence and meteoric rise of the Western aesthetic, the launch of CHAZLYN couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. With the likes of Billboard-topping pop stars Beyonce and Post Malone embracing their Texas roots with country albums, the definition of Western apparel has also broadened. And Pilarcik saw a clear opportunity to bring her own voice to the conversation.
“I always felt like I was a little ahead of the curve,” she says, “but when I launched CHAZLYN [just over a year ago], it felt like the universe was on my side.”
Within weeks of launching, Pilarcik began receiving attention — and orders — from all over the country, and it wasn’t long before the boots started showing up on celebrities. Though deliberately untraditional, the first famous names to embrace Pilarcik’s fashion-forward footwear were country stars Kelsea Ballerini and Carrie Underwood.
“It’s surreal,” Pilarcik says, recalling the moment she first saw a pair of her boots on stage. “I never imagined it would happen so fast. It felt like the dream had crossed over from something I thought about as a kid to something real.”
Even more surprising was the quick pace at which CHAZLYN’s popularity grew. Pilarcik doesn’t have a massive marketing team, relying instead on word-of-mouth and connections made through her work as an art director. Of course, getting on the feet of celebrities and trend setters doesn’t hurt, either.
CHAZLYN Boots
Evoto
“It’s funny,” she says, “because I don’t even really know how it all happens. I’ll send boots to a stylist, and weeks later, I’ll see them on stage or on social media. It’s all very natural.”
She recalls how the relationship with Ballerini’s team started when the country star’s violinist tried on a pair of boots and loved them. Once those boots made their way onto the stage, the floodgates opened, and Pilarcik’s boots became a go-to for artists who wanted a stylish, Western-leaning boot they could wear for hours without feeling pain.
“That’s what sets [the boots] apart,” Pilarcik says. “You can wear them all day and still feel like you’re walking on air.”
But such growth, especially for a first-time entrepreneur, comes with its fair share of challenges. Pilarcik had no background in footwear manufacturing so was forced to learn on the fly. After cold-calling factories, she eventually connected with a plant in León, Mexico, the world capital of boot manufacturing. The road to production was long — seven prototypes to be exact — but eventually, Pilarcik found her stride.
“Learning how to work with the factory, figuring out the right molds, it was all a huge learning curve,” Pilarcik says. “But I’m proud of how far I’ve come. The first year was the hardest, but now I’m finally seeing my vision come to life.”
CHAZLYN currently offers five styles of boots, but Pilarcik has plans for more designs and products. If there are any men drooling over the prospect of a more masculine CHAZLYN boot, you can expect a product coming down the pike. “I’ve had so many people ask me for men’s boots, so that’s definitely on the horizon,” she says. Pilarcik is also eyeing leather goods, including handbags and clutches, as natural extensions of her brand.
“I’m just getting started,” she says. “But the journey has been incredible. I’m so proud of what we’ve built and excited for what’s to come.”
