We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Chanel Rhodes a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Chanel, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard.
Mane Tresse has proudly broken away from the traditional norms of the industry to introduce a revolutionary approach to providing horses with stunning and easy-to-install synthetic wigs. My business’ commitment to offering a unique experience to horse owners sets us apart in several significant ways:
Innovative Installation System- Unlike the traditional process of attaching horse hairpieces, Mane Tresses’ synthetic wigs are equipped with a cutting-edge installation system that is remarkably easy to use. Our revolutionary horse wig installation process is a hassle-free solution that eliminates the need for braiding, sewing, crocheting, adhesives, or tying in.
Color Variety- Every horse and customer is unique and deserves to have a product that reflects their individuality. While traditional horse hairpieces limit color options due to the use of real horse hair, we utilize synthetic hair that comes in any color under the sun. Our company offers a wide variety of colors, providing endless options for the customer. Our color choices are limitless, allowing our customers to order hairpieces that match their horse’s unique color pattern. Additionally, our customers can request custom-made pieces to match their tack, cowboy hat, helmet, parade wear, drill team uniform, rodeo queen outfit, school colors, and much more.
Affordability- Mane Tresses believes that enhancing your horse’s appearance shouldn’t break the bank. Our dedication to making high-quality synthetic wigs accessible has resulted in significantly lower prices compared to traditional horse hairpieces. This affordability ensures that horse owners can explore various styles and colors without the financial strain.
Customization- Mane Tresses allows its customers to create truly customized wigs for horses. Whether it’s replicating a specific color pattern or designing a unique and eye-catching look, we can fulfill the desires of our customers with unparalleled precision.
Horsie Partners- Our hairpieces are lightweight and flexible, enabling horses to maintain a full range of movement while worn. They can eat, run, roll, jump, and play without restriction. Our products provide a seamless look and also work with docked tails, which sets them apart from traditional horse hairpieces. With Mane Tresses, a Clydesdale can fend off flies for the first time in its life, and a barrel horse can execute its pattern without hindrance.
Why This Difference Matters!
Our commitment to offering a fresh perspective to the equine grooming industry stems from our passion for enhancing the bond between horses and their owners. By providing easy-to-install synthetic wigs with a plethora of colors and customization options, we empower horse owners to express themselves and celebrate their individuality.
Mane Tresses has received many heartwarming stories from our customers who have transformed their horses’ appearances using our wigs. One customer shared how they were able to match their horse’s wig with their riding gear, creating a stunning and coordinated look during competitions. Many other satisfied customers have praised how easy they are to work with and have shared great and unique pictures. Furthermore, customers who chose natural colors mentioned that the color match was seamless.
In a world where equine grooming options have often been constrained by tradition, our innovative approach has provided horse owners with the means to reveal their horses’ true essence. Our customers are also able to have their own matching hairpieces to complement their equine companions. Our brand celebrates diversity, creativity, and the distinctive bond between horses and their humans, positioning us as a beacon of change within the equine industry.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
How I Got Into The Equestrian Industry- Horses have captured my heart since childhood, yet the lack of Black representation in the equestrian world was very discouraging to me as a child. Around the age of five, I asked my mom if Black people rode horses, she ignited my passion by confirming we indeed rode. Guided by my mother’s strength, sporadic riding lessons deepened my love for the sport. At twenty, I plunged into the equine community under Cliff Salter’s training, my first figure of black equestrian representation. Now, as a devoted student of Jasmine Wheatley at J. Rachelle Farms, we specialize in transforming thoroughbreds into champions. Jasmine’s expertise spans English riding and barrel racing, and she introduced Mane Tresses to the professional show ring. I’m now a proud horse owner and a resort’s equine stage manager.
How It Started To How It’s Going- It all started with an art project. I was motivated by social media’s influx of Black equestrian content. A prototype horse wig was intended for the project’s debut, yet it failed on filming day. My fiancé(now husband) encouraged me to install extra scraps of loose hair into Lady’s mane. He filmed the installation process, the art project was named Afrocentric Pony. Lady, my “four-legged business partner,” tried all my prototypes, helping me share Mane Tresses on social media. Post Afrocentric Pony release, media outlets like Young Black Equestrians approached me for interviews, fueling my horse wig venture. After lots of blood, sweat, tears, failure after failure and 50-60 prototypes I launched Mane Tresses on January 25th 2021. Mane Tresses has earned features in notable publications and platforms.
A Few Of Mane Tresses’ Features-
Los Angelenos Magazine(made it into the LA Times)- “Black Cowgirls Of Southern California”
NBCs Access Daily- 2020 and 2023
ABCs To Tell The Truth- “Who Makes Wigs For Horses?”
Bust Magazine- “The Mane Event”
Shoutout LA- “Meet Chanel Rhodes-Garces | Cowgirl Chanel- Equestrian Entrepreneur And Inventor”
Horse Canada- “Fashion- Forward Manes And Tails”
60 Second Docs- “She Makes Wigs For Horses”
The Academy Museum Of Motion Pictures
KTLA News- “Mane Tresses And Chanel Rhodes”
Cowgirl Magazine- “This Cowgirl Founded Her Own Company For Horse Hairpieces”
Smartpak- “Living With Passion”
Horse Illustrated Magazine- “Boss Babes”
APHA’s Chrome Magazine- “Locks To Love”
Awards And Nominations
2021 Spark Award Winner
Black Boots Award Nominee
What is Mane Tresses- Mane Tresses crafts custom, easily installed, colorful/natural wigs for horses, ranging from manes and tails to forelock pieces and matching accessories for riders. Every imaginable color and mix is available.
What Mane Tresses Does For Its Customers- Mane Tresses offers professional and playful applications:
Concealing missing mane patches
Enhancing uniformity for stunt horses
Elevating show ring appearances with better tails
Adding pizzazz to Halloween costumes and parades
A dye free alternative that can transform dark horses into unicorns
What I am most proud of- My business accomplishments have built a unique platform, teaching me resilience and inspiring others never to quit. I am now a figure of representation for little girls that look like me, this journey has truly brought me full circle.
What I Want The Public To Know-My journey wouldn’t exist without God, my mother’s guidance, my husband’s encouragement, and the support of trainers, friends, and family. While I’m the business owner, it’s the people and horses in my life who’ve brought me here. My next venture is to establish a non-profit organization with Jasmine Wheatley. Our mission is to offer sponsored riding lessons to individuals who are unable to afford them. Additionally, we aim to create a sanctuary that fosters the equestrian and agricultural lifestyle. Our ultimate aspiration revolves around acquiring a dedicated property to accommodate this program. With a herd of 18 splendid horses, we intend to utilize them for the education of our students.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
When I started developing prototypes, I had to think about a lot of factors: durability, flexibility, installation ease, sleek design, manufacturing intricacies, affordability , production efficiency, and customization. Dealing with all that meant constant trips to the drawing board. At first, doubt plagued me during my television debut, undermining my confidence in my products. During my COVID-induced furlough, I dedicated myself to producing prototypes. The challenge of product testing without ready access to my horse led to grueling drives home following failed attempts.
Self-taught sewing machine skills and an innovative tool’s creation for pliable hair pieces marked further milestones. Now on my resilient wigs the customer can even cut and stretch the hair, which is a neat feature. This journey saw tears shed, battles with manufacturers’ pricing, broken sewing needles, and self-inflicted cuts, fueling moments of frustration. Through it all, I internalized the value of perseverance and the reward that passion-driven projects patiently deliver.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I had to learn that great things don’t develop overnight. Everything good takes time and patience to develop. No matter how badly I wanted to rush things along, I had to put in the work and time. I not only became more patient with the process but also more patient with myself. There were times when I felt like such a failure. I had to constantly remind myself that I have come too far to stop now.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.manetresses.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/manetressescc?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manetressescc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chanel-rhodes-18353840
- Other: Brand/Personal IG- https://instagram.com/cowgirl_chanel?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== TikTok- cowgirlchanelmt
Image Credits
Andrew Garces