Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Pittman.
Hi Courtney, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Western Darlin’ started as a homesick fever dream. In 2015, I was living in San Francisco, missing Texas hard. I was longing for the dusty West Texas desert, neon-lit honky tonks, and dive bars with more character than polish. So I did what any nostalgic Texan would do: I turned it into a brand. Western Darlin’ became my way of bottling up everything I loved about home and putting it out into the world.
Eventually, I made my way back to Austin and took the brand on the road, popping up wherever it felt right. By 2019, I landed in Taylor, Texas (about 35 miles east of Austin) and opened a natural wine bar downtown (with chicken feed!). It was the perfect mix: slinging wine, selling Western Darlin’ merch, and meeting a whole cast of good people along the way. I’m closing that chapter in July and going back to my roots – taking the brand back online and out on the road. It’s a full circle moment, and I’m super stoked!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not exactly smooth, but that’s kind of the point. Like most small businesses, Western Darlin’ has had its fair share of highs and lows. I genuinely love what I do, so even the slower seasons never felt like dead ends. They’ve been opportunities to pivot, get scrappy, and dream up something new. Some of my favorite designs and ideas have come out of those in-between moments. Turns out, a little uncertainty is pretty good fuel for creativity.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Writing is my strong suit – it’s what I love most and where I do my best work, whether that’s editorial or social.
I also shoot every Western Darlin’ campaign, which is hands-down my favorite part. Photography lets me bring ideas to life in a way that feels real and intentional.
Beyond that, I’m big on concepts. I absolutely love developing designs, taglines, and creative direction that feel fresh but still true to the brand. I’m involved from start to finish.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I grew up in Dallas with three brothers, so I was a full-on Texas tomboy from the start. My mom still jokes that she’d put me in a dress in the morning, and by the end of the day it would be destroyed. I was always outside, keeping up with the boys, getting into everything, and not thinking twice about it.
But at the same time, I’ve always had this creative streak. I used to dress my friends up and make them model for me while I shot everything on my Polaroid camera. Looking back, it feels like a very early version of what I do now – I just didn’t have a name for it yet. I guess you could say I’ve always had a bit of a creative director in me, even when I was running around covered in dirt.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://westerndarlin.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westerndarlin
Image Credits
1st image Alison Eden Photography
