Monday, 18th July 2005 (4526 views)

The Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, has been indulging his passion for cowboy boots with a few new additions.

A long-time collector of top-of-the-range, handmade boots, the former body builder and Hollywood actor has refused to curb his enthusiasm for the footwear now he is representing the Golden State.

Amongst his collection he has boots embroidered with the American flag and famous Hollywood scenes, as well as alligator-skin boots and ones with extensive leather stitching.

But he has now acquired some pairs with intricate hand-tooled designs and sterling silver and gold.

One pair even features a silver replica of the new state quarter that Schwarzenegger helped design.

"He's using them as art and conversation to reach out to the people of the state," Tom Julian, who monitors fashion trends for Oscars.com, told the LA Daily News.

"He is using them as part of a lifestyle look, whether family, or Hollywood or politics, they serve all of those needs."

Tres Outlaws Boot Company in Texas makes the majority of Schwarzenegger's boots.

Owner Scott Emmerich said his boots sell for anywhere between $2,000 and $75,000, but declined to say how much Arnie spends.

And while the price tag may seem a little steep, it should be mentioned that all the boots take over 75 hours to design and a further 300 hours to make.

"I take my customers' likes and dislikes, colours, personalities and interests and compile them into different concepts of what an individual really wants, and what kind of an expression they want to present themselves with," explained Mr Emmerich.

 

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