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Show ' j; -- : Mr'."! i , . A.- ; 'e. , V 'V"v k 4 .. - frS , - -- I ' -- ?V; ' "?' v .. .1, . .v1:, ';. by TRISHIA JACOBS ' Wo mm her sisters dining af iVif jMnJjMum' fam. "There was a huge csbinec filled with pilefc of fabric and we giiis were allowed to help ourselves. We made butterfly draws," rrralls Manisek, 40. We would cur a slit to stick our heads through, sew a little under the arms, and we would pretend we were hunrtflies. We would stand in the bade of the big gain Duck and flap our wings and fly" Manisek still in flights of fancy with have disc designs metamorphosed into a business with sales. And making die custom- annual in million $10 kiIled Western wear; MCtssories, and home fur-nishings of die Double D Ranch now employs most of J b her family She's come a long way without venturing far from her roots. Home base is Yoakum, ' Tkxas, ; (pop. 3,731) less than 100 miles from her grandparents farm in Inez, Texas. Some people thought the one stoplight town was too small far such a business, says Matusek's mother; Matgie MrMnllen- - Therefc no any you can manufacture and produoe out of Yoakum, people in the industty told us. But we don't do things by die rales," says McMullen, company president. The business, which indudes Matuseft sistea, Hedy Carter and Audrey Fianz, began an a family ski vacation in NewMorico. Matusek saw someone wearing the hrightest, prettiest coat made out of a blanket.' She came home to Yoakum and made a coat far herself and Audrey, then her pattner in a small interior design dnp. "Cheryl wore her jacket at the next Home Interior Market in Dallas. It was drawing so much attention, she designs were mmiiHi f yaf jii I - . .'V ," i i Matusek's first fashion Cheryl dresses far childhood - , tha DouMa D Ranch labaL 3 had to take it off McMullen says. Matusek quickly developed her signature style of Western wear with lots ' of leather velvet, hinge, and embroidety. Today; 700 retailers cany Double D designs, including Nordstrom's and Simply Southwest. Michelle O'Brien of Ruidoao, Nil, has been a customer since die beginning. Customers like her designs, her styling,' ODrien says. "Customers love die tailoring. They fave the fit. Staying home in Texas means die family hu the life they want. Matusek and her two sons. Jack, 9, and Sam, ranch outside town where they have 6, live on a 400-aa- e and a garden. rabbits, dogs, Ac Double D Ranch headquarters, employees Matuseks designs are a hit indulge in with singers Carlos Santana, Reba McEnrire, Pun Tillis, Tanya Tbcket; and Eddy Rawen. T was watching General Hospital (the soap open) one day," says Jill Stringer, . . a customer service representative, "and one of the actresses had on our jacket." Mnusekfc Lin Barber; secretary; says seven factories for Texas Double in sew D. "The furniture factory is in will woman profile receiyg eatured in the Hometown Hero section of an upcom mq'issuef American Profile" (nolaslTvalue).jJ 00 $2,500jond jhe other prizeswilljie 'a warded, .'iththesubmitter' eceiving AmericanOriginal jrogrance, (approximate etail value: $43) name-droppin- g. Notth Carolina. But everything is inspected, tagged, and shipped from Yoakum, she says. Wadring in ratal Texas keeps her designs unique, satiwlr Kyi, She prefen inyiwwi from history; nor die latest- styles, for example, research an American Indians uncovered what hn become known as "ledger ait. When some of the Indians were moved to reservations, they weren't allowed to have the leadien and tools they normally ured to paint and record their histories. Instead, government officials gave them blank ledger boob far drawing. Matusek is innmpmaHg flue art into designs on a teepee-shapchild's bed canopy. "In the past our lines have been very vintage, she v says; Now, were going to freshen that look, more glam, more rhinestone cowgirL" Still, one design element remains constant: "We're very American based: American West or Native American. - ed Trisbujoc aafmlonuritw-nVktorU- , Tom. fc Addrvw .W H ' - bflWHhpdfc teBaririwMUaWliwwWlrhRarfgfaaaftiaireti I mhiwaiiaWHAriMMsorwRrRRKtireMrfbreUfa. a4aJfebatoiMiaWiMNadMdHaSarifeatWrfialv IWaaiwwhnpwhlaalwMnlaWNi v failjiiSiaroaaawyiMdfaTbaWiftdfaaa aMkwvkRttMSfawafafaaiadWBiifMUleta: .bainb.nB0wltSltailbaariasaaafa73a ' f I I 1 |