what's a surfing cowboy you ask?
"Surfing Cowboys® is more than just a name—it defines a lifestyle of freedom, creativity, and reinvention rooted in California culture. Donna & Wayne Gunther’s unique vision of blending surf, style, and the spirit of the West became a brand that transcends categories and connects a community."
Years before they opened the store, while Donna & Wayne Gunther were still criss-crossing the country working as fashion photographers they came up with the phrase "Surfing Cowboys". For them it captured the spirit of freedom and reinvention; that undeniable pull that brings people to California from all over the world, where the essence of the West can be found— on the range, in the ocean, or living in your heart.
In 1995 they converted the front of their photo studio on Venice's Abbot Kinney Blvd into a store. Nothing about the store fit neatly into traditional categories. By definition selling one-off, curated items caused every sale and every new collection to shift the shop experience and layout - meanwhile its spirit remained clearly identifiable and strong so they chose to name it Surfing Cowboys®. After all, surfers ride the waves, cowboys ride the range... they become one with the ever changing weather and tides... always shifting and embodying a sense of freedom and adventure. Surfing Cowboys® was born from that very spirit.
The Surfing Cowboys® collection has always been eclectic and soulful. From authentic Navajo rugs and Catalina pottery to vintage Vespas, Hawaiian memorabilia, longboards, pop culture icons, mid century gems, and vintage apparel, the shop has seen an incredible range of pieces come and go.
Over the years, it’s become a quiet influencer, a go-to resource for designer tastemakers, and a hidden gem for some of the world’s biggest brands. If you're looking for a slice of the California Dream, Surfing Cowboys® is where you'll find it.
The Surfing Cowboys® collection and the business itself has grown in ways the Gunther's never imagined—there's now a core team working alongside them and the brand offers their own line of Los Angeles made casual clothing, accessories, home furnishings, and even skateboards; with new items and collaborations on the horizon. For the Surfing Cowboys Team every day is an adventure - an opportunity to look through the curve, to welcome new experiences and to discover beauty that they can share.
