Latest news with #KemoSabe
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
Luxury Western Wear Brand Kemo Sabe Is Launching A Tequila
Kemo Sabe is known for giving customers free tequila to sip while they shop. Now, one of the tequila brands that will sit behind the retailer's bars will be its own. The Colorado-based Western wear retailer is unveiling a new tequila brand called Original Grit Tequila, which will be available at Kemo Sabe's Aspen and Vail locations and shipped online to customers in around 45 states. Original Grit Tequila has three expressions—blanco, reposado and añejo—and will also be sold in liquor stores and bars across Colorado. The three expressions will be priced between $100 to $130 per bottle, fitting neatly into the premium pricing range that Kemo Sabe fetches for boots that can fetch over $1,800, outwear that can sell for well north of $3,000 and $18,000 bracelets. But why launch a tequila? 'I'm obsessed with tequila,' Kemo Sabe owner Wendy Kunkle tells me during a virtual interview. 'I love it.' Over the course of more than four years, Kunkle worked closely with beverage distribution expert Michael Klauer to conceptualize a tequila brand that could fit into the brand aesthetic of Kemo Sabe. 'We tried to put the energy of the store in the bottle,' Klauer, co-owner of Original Grit Tequila, tells me. Over the course of several trips to Mexico, he finally honed in on partnering with the Partida family, fifth-generation tequila producers. Klauer says his rollout plan will include distribution in Colorado with beverage wholesaler Breakthru Beverage Group. Further expansion is planned for later this year in California, Texas and Illinois. By 2026, the brand hopes to be sold in bars and liquor stores across up to 15 states. 'We're really following the Kemo Sabe customers,' says Klauer, of the markets he intends to prioritize. As for the taste, Kunkle says she's always been on the hunt for new tequilas that could rival her personal favorite, Clase Azul. But the price point for that brand—bottles are sold for as little as $150 to over $2,000 on ReserveBar—can feel cost prohibitive. Her intent was to develop a tequila at a more accessible price point, but still premium, that she would love as much as Clase Azul. 'We have the most amazing products in the world—hats, boots and buckles—why shouldn't we have it in our bars?' asks Kunkle. Kemo Sabe's tequila launch come as demand for agave-based Mexican spirits have soared in the U.S. for more than a decade. Sales of tequila and mezcal totaled $6.7 billion in 2024, according to industry advocate the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, making it the second-largest category after vodka. But that growth has also led to a lot of competition, from industry giants like Diageo, Bacardi and Pernod Ricard that have heavily invested in the category and scooped up some of the most popular brands, as well as celebrity-backed tequilas including George Clooney's Casamigos, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's Teremana and Sammy Hagar's Santo. Entering the crowded tequila category—even without a celebrity backer—fits neatly into Kemo Sabe's own brand equity, which includes much-heralded love from stars including Beyoncé and Shania Twain. Kunkle says she has no plans to include a celebrity endorser for Original Grit Tequila. 'If people love it, just like Kemo Sabe, it's all word of mouth,' she says of her minimalist marketing strategy. The brand enjoyed a cultural breakthrough moment in 2022 when Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kyle Richards took the show's cast to Kemo Sabe's store in Aspen for a shopping event. The trip seemed innocuous enough, but soon after they arrived, a tequila slight occurred—as they often do on the Real Housewives—between costars Kathy Hilton and Lisa Rinna. The great affront? Rinna ordered model Kendall Jenner's 818 tequila from Kemo Sabe's bar, rather than Casa Del Sol, a brand that heiress Hilton has invested in. The slight enraged Hilton and led to a huge blow up on the show, which also spilled out into the press and led to plenty of free publicity for Kemo Sabe. Stars from the Salt Lake City and Potomac franchises have also filmed at Kemo Sabe, and Kunkle says she has no intention to stop offering brands like 818 to shoppers now that she has her own tequila to promote. But, that doesn't mean she doesn't want to get in on the action too. 'We love a lot of brands, they're great, and we get to rep them in our bars,' says Kunkle. 'Why not rep our own too?'
Business Insider
21-05-2025
- Business Insider
I visited the most expensive city in Utah and spotted 5 signs of over-the-top wealth and luxury
Perhaps the most obvious sign of wealth in Park City, Utah, is the ski-in, ski-out housing. Park City's most expensive listing on is a $39 million mansion with 9 bedrooms, 14 bathrooms, and ski-in, ski-out access. Real-estate agent Derrik Carlson, who has lived in Park City for over 20 years and began selling homes in the area in 2012, told me that many of his clients buy houses in the Colony and Deer Valley, as well as the Canyons, located in Park City's 84098 ZIP code. All three neighborhoods are popular choices for incoming residents who want direct access to the slopes. "You just go right out the door and pop on your skis, and you're on the slopes," he said. The luxury amenities in these homes go beyond skiing. Many have lap pools, spas with saunas and massage rooms, and even movie theaters. It might not scream wealth like a fleet of fancy cars, but the free public transit felt like a luxury you wouldn't find just anywhere. Living in NYC, free public transportation is a luxury I'm not used to. In addition to the city's free bus system, I found another costless ride that felt like an activity. At the St. Regis Deer Valley, a free funicular takes patrons to the slopes at Deer Valley Mountain Resort. And you don't have to be a hotel guest to use it. I marveled at the views as the wide-windowed car trekked up the mountain. At the top, there was an outdoor lounge overlooking the slopes. From the deck with firepits and glass walls, skiers sliding down the trails looked like toy action figures in the distance. In downtown Park City, I found more upscale public amenities. Downtown Park City was full of shops, restaurants, and public courtyards where I found large, electric lit firepits that were round and made of stone. Wide benches surrounded each pit. It was a pleasant place to warm up and rest. I also saw a public bathroom in downtown Park City — a rarity for a New Yorker. Although I didn't go inside, I checked Google Maps and found that most public restrooms in Park City have five-star reviews. I also saw private dining globes on outdoor restaurant decks. Winters are harsh in Park City, so it made sense to me that the wealthy would want to enjoy the views without the weather. Park City has many restaurants with private, heated igloos and Alpenglobes. These enclosed spaces are designed to give guests views of the mountains and night skies while feasting with friends and family. The experience isn't cheap. The Alpenglobes I saw at Butcher's Chop House & Bar cost about $100 to book, with a minimum dinner bill of $500, according to the restaurant's website. The downtown area also housed luxury boutiques and celebrity-loved shops. The downtown streets were lined with art galleries and upscale boutique stores selling fashion lines from international designers, locally made goods, and luxury furniture and decor. The store I instantly recognized was Kemo Sabe — a celebrity-loved western apparel brand with other stores in Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, and Texas. Kemo Sabe is best known for its hats that cost up to $900, as seen on icons from the Kardashians to Rihanna and Shania Twain. The hats can cost thousands with customizations like leather and diamond bands. In Park City, it's almost impossible to forget you're in a wealth enclave.
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Prince Harry's 'Date Night' Hat Has Hidden Meanings, And Now Trolls Want The King To Act
One photo of Prince Harry's cowboy hat has ignited a frenzy online. Worn during Beyoncé's final Cowboy Carter concert at LA's SoFi Stadium, the seemingly simple accessory is anything but ordinary. Custom-made by luxury brand KemoSabe and priced at $895, the hat carries deeply personal touches hidden in plain sight. Upon closer inspection, delicate engravings reveal the words 'Archie,' 'Lili,' and 'My Love,' subtly etched into the felt—powerful tokens of loyalty to his young family. The UK and US flags stitched beside them appear to unite his royal roots with his American chapter. Meghan Markle, who attended the concert with Harry, shared the evening's highlights online, even captioning a post with, 'My husband's hat gets a twirl.' Read More
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Cowboy Hat Secretly Nods to Their Love Story
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attended Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter tour on May 9. The couple brought a customized Kemo Sabe cowboy hat with personalized symbols and phrases on the brim. Markle wore a denim Caroline Herrera dress, while Harry donned a simple black Markle and Prince Harry had the cutest date night at Beyoncé's final show in Los Angeles on her Cowboy Carter tour. The pair were filmed dancing the night away by fans before the singer posted an adorable snap of the pair cuddling up backstage. Markle later shared a few images and videos from their evening out on Instagram—including one close-up of their very meaningful cowboy hat. The khaki green cowboy hat from Kemo Sabe was customized on the interior of the brim with a number of personalized symbols and phrases. There was a British flag and an American flag side-by-side, in a reference to the couple's two nationalities. There was also an outline of the African continent, in a reference to Markle's African heritage, their continued work in the continent, and the location of Harry's proposal. Next, there was a flag for the Californian Republic, in a seeming nod to their current life in Montecito. Finally, the hat featured the names "Archie," "Lili," and "My Love," referring to the couple's two children. Elsewhere in Markle's carousel were videos of the pair dancing, a selfie video of Harry kissing Markle on the cheek, and a sweet couple selfie taken by Harry. "About last night…. Thank you @beyonce and team for an amazing concert (and a very fun date night)! All love," wrote Markle in the caption. In addition to her Easter egg-laden hat, Markle also wore a blue denim off-the-shoulder dress by Caroline Herrera and a pinky ring. Meanwhile, Harry, who was also pictured wearing the hat, went for a black ensemble with a gray overshirt. The couple have a long history with Beyoncé—after meeting in 2019 at a UK premiere of The Lion King, Beyoncé reportedly texted Markle to offer her support after the couple's 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey. In 2023, the pair were also spotted enjoying Beyoncé's Renaissance tour in Los Angeles. This also isn't the first time Markle has added personal touches to her clothing. In February, for instance, she wore a black sweater with the names of her children embroidered on the collar. Read the original article on InStyle
Daily Mail
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Secret symbols on Prince Harry's '$400' cowboy hat reveal his true loyalties as Meghan shares very public 'date night' details
Several secret symbols inscribed on Prince Harry's high end cowboy hat further echo the Prince's loyalties, as Meghan shares a series of snaps of their public 'date night' at a Beyonce gig. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were among thousands of fans who crowded into the SoFi Stadium yesterday as the artist performed her last Cowboy Carter show in Los Angeles. While Beyonce also shared a photograph of the grinning royals on her website as they cosied up inside the luxurious VIP lounge to watch the Crazy in Love singer perform, Meghan also released a flurry of jubilant snaps to social media. Sharing a glimpse into their public date night among droves of adoring Beyhive fans, the Duchess published several smiley photos of herself, Prince Harry and friends, as they enjoyed their night on the town. Among the series of happy snaps, Meghan shared a video of herself and the Duke lovingly snuggled up in the crowd, smiling from ear to ear as Prince Harry plants a kiss on her cheek. Another short video showed the Duchess appear emotional while she cheers on the superstar songstress as she sings her hit song 16 carriages, while sitting on a floating American-style car. Fans also managed to sneak footage of the Prince somewhat awkwardly shuffling around as he danced the night away with his wife - but it was a snap of his cowboy hat that seemingly further displayed his loyalties to his young family. A picture shared by Meghan of the KemoSabe clothing item, which appears to be the 'Military Beaver Blend' retailing for $895, was inscribed with the words 'My Love', 'Lili' and 'Archie', as well as flags of the UK and US in a nod to his wife and children. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were among thousands of fans who crowded into the SoFi Stadium yesterday as the artist performed her last show in Los Angeles In her Instagram post, Meghan wrote: 'My husband's hat gets a twirl.' The Aspen-based luxury store has hats starting at $225 and going up into the thousands, depending on the 'extras' customers add on such as banding, exotic feathers and silver buckles. Each custom-hat is hand-steamed and moulded to fit the shape of your head. Thanking the superstar songstress for hosting them, Meghan penned: 'About last night... Thank you Beyonce and team for an amazing concert (and a very fun date night) All love.' The Halo singer - who kicked off her tour just over year and a half after she wrapped up her whirlwind Renaissance World Tour — has welcomed Harry and Meghan to her shows previously. In 2023, the royals attended the Renaissance World Tour, also at the SoFi Stadium, where Prince Harry once again appeared less than impressed - and more interested in his phone. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex had attended the concert to celebrate the 67th birthday of Meghan's mother Doria Ragland - but this was far from the first time the royal couple had crossed paths with Beyoncé. In fact, in 2019, Queen Bey accepted a Brit Award in front of a portrait showing Meghan as a royal version of the Mona Lisa. Fans also snuck clips of Prince Harry from nearby seats, with the Duke of Sussex seen somewhat awkwardly shuffling around as his wife danced in front of him In a post explaining why they had decided to put Meghan in the frame, the power couple wrote: 'In honour of Black History Month, we bow down to one of our Melanated Monas. Congrats on your pregnancy! We wish you so much joy.' Beyoncé publicly praised Meghan's bravery after the Sussexes' bombshell interview with Oprah, during which the Duchess claimed to have been subjected to racist treatment within the Royal Family. Beyoncé posted on her website: 'Thank you Meghan for your courage and leadership. We are all strengthened and inspired by you.' In one episode of their Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex claimed to have received a supportive text from Queen Bey. She told the camera crew: 'Beyoncé just texted, just checking in... I still can't believe she knows who I am…' She said she wants me to feel safe and protected. 'She admires and respects my bravery and vulnerability and thinks I was selected to break generational curses that need to be healed.' The couples previously had a cringe-inducing meeting with the pop megastar and her husband Jay-Z during The Lion King premiere in 2019. The famous couples met up on the red carpet and engaged in small talk, with Beyoncé reportedly calling Meghan 'my princess'. However, things took an awkward turn when the Sussexes spoke to the film's director Jon Favreau and appeared to ask him if there were any voiceover roles available for Meghan. Video of the encounter showed Beyoncé covering her face before uncomfortably looking away, with social media users suggesting she was cringing over the exchange. There was to be a similar exchange later in the evening when Prince Harry touted his wife's acting chops to Disney CEO Bob Iger. During conversation, Harry asks: 'You do know she does voiceovers?'
