Years before opening the store, Donna & Wayne Gunther crisscrossed the country as fashion photographers, drawn to the people, places, and artifacts that captured the soul of The West and the mid-century era of innovation, reinvention and social change. They coined the phrase Surfing Cowboys to express that spirit—the one that brings people to California from all over the world, to the intersection of freedom where surf culture, road culture, counterculture, art and design meet.
In 1995, they turned their Venice studio into a retail space and filled it with a magical mix of merchandise celebrating their interests and passions. Every item had a story and every sale reshaped the store, Surfing Cowboys was their obvious choice for the name. After all, surfers ride the waves, cowboys ride the range—both embrace the unknown, both move in rhythm with the universe, with change.
Over the years, Surfing Cowboys® has become a quiet influencer, a designer’s go-to, and a hidden gem for those seeking a slice of the California Dream. The collection has always been eclectic—**Navajo rugs, Catalina pottery, vintage Vespas, Hawaiian memorabilia, classic surfboards, furniture, art, jewelry, pop culture icons, mid-century gems, books and vintage apparel —**each piece carrying a story of adventure and reinvention.
Today, the brand continues to evolve, now offering a signature line of Los Angeles-made casual clothing, accessories, home furnishings, and skateboards with more items on the horizon. But at its core, Surfing Cowboys® is about embracing change, seeing beyond the expected, pushing the boundaries to create something better and sharing in the beauty of the ride.
