Whoa, Alli!
Alli Addison, of the lifestyle brand Milton Menasco, rounds up her top picks for fall with western flair and a dash of cowgirl spirit
Addison is the great-niece of late American artist Milton Menasco.
Written by Gina Tolleson | Photography by Alli, Elizabeth Hay
ONE TO WATCH
WHO Alli Addison, 37, mother of two, designer, equestrian, and the face behind the Instagram brand @miltonmenasco.
WHAT “Milton Menasco was established in 2019 as a lifestyle brand to honor the work of my great uncle and the ranching lifestyle of my ancestors—but brought up to date. The result? An inclusive and unique collection of art, wearables, and goods for the modern-day horse girl and horse boy.”
WEAR “Fall on the coast has me yearning for vintage knits, rustic denims, a neutral palette of creams, tans, rust, and black, with added sterling embellishments. I’m looking for feminine accents combined with masculine scale, celestial details, and subtle western nods. This, of course, extends into the home, with intoxicating fragrances, sensory experiences, well-curated coffee-table books, and a range of artworks that create a relaxed, simple, yet elegant space.”
LOOK FOR “This fall I am launching a new collaborative mini capsule with Tenlea Hunter that’s overflowing with space-cowboy, horse-girl energy that will leave you wanting to shoot for the stars and lasso the moon. Our exclusive Starry Night felt hats in black and bone were crafted for us by our friends at Stetson, and it feels like the beginning of something truly epic.”
APPLE DOESNT FALL FAR “My family has lived in the area for seven generations, in Santa Barbara and on the Mexican land grant known as Rancho Nipomo, living a life rooted in ranching, farming, and trade. Simply riding the horses in the same hills as my great-great-great-grandparents, driving between Santa Ynez and Los Alamos—which served as my family’s trade route—or walking the steps of the Old Mission gives me a sense of place that is hard to describe. While my father’s side of the family is tied to this community historically, my mother’s side of the family has its own story: My great-granduncle was the famous equestrian artist Milton Menasco. His classical equestrian elements—particularly an exacting eye for both the confirmation and disposition of the horse—all became heavy influencers of my own personal style and passions.”
UPCYCLE 101 “Vintage goods with equestrian and western flair will always be a mainstay at Milton Menasco, as we believe in sustainable, locally sourced, ecofriendly, and handmade goods. And we certainly believe in second chances. Even for garments! With many items 40, 50, even 70-plus years old, the condition is typical of their age, but their story continues with a new generation of horse lovers.”
PICO, 805-344-1122, in Los Alamos is our go-to date night restaurant choice. I recommend the subtly spicy Lost Almost margarita.
Also in Los Alamos, SISTERS GIFTS AND HOME, 805-720-1110, @sistersgiftsandhome, has some of the best local equestrian and western antiques and collectibles in the valley.
Absolutely requisite for any local horse folk, JEDLICKA’S, 805-688-2626, in Los Olivos encompasses the best of both worlds, with everything needed for the western or English rider.
FAVOUR, 805-693-8998, in Santa Ynez can do no wrong when it comes to contemporary women’s wear in the valley.
