VANNERlife+style.

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In 2014, Courtney Ellzey launched VANNER HATS, a brand rooted in quality craftsmanship and empowerment. VANNER HATS laid the foundation to Ellzey’s broader aspiration for a lifestyle brand. Now, VANNERlife+style expands Ellzey’s vision into a dynamic experience for aesthetes who seek to slow down, find beauty in design, and build community - a place where storytelling and heritage meet elevated living.

A gypsy at heart, Ellzey was drawn back to her roots in Perryton, Texas where, after years of creative exploration, she has returned to the open sky, horses and vast grasslands of the panhandle. Here, on her ranch, she continues to ask the essential question that drives her work:

How do we honor the past, design for the future, and create spaces that foster connection ?.

VANNERlife+style IS the answer to this question. With a brick and mortar storefront and immersive workshops/retreats on the horizon, VANNER WILL be a destination: A carefully curated space offering vintage pieces, handcrafted hats, photography + design services .. libations, as well as a sanctuary with equine therapy, art, music and intimate gatherings. THINK *VANNERsupperclub.

Ellzey’s vision extends beyond a single space or product, as she imagines experiences intended to build community where breaking bread and sharing stories become an act of creative connection. “VANNER is an invitation to live with INTENTION, BEAUTY, STYLE and a REVERENCE FOR THE PAST”.

A lover of vintage, Ellzey remains deeply inspired by books, architecture+design, and cinema. She obsesses over music, a good laugh, and is a self-proclaimed introvert.

WORDS BY THE INCOMPARABLE CLAUDIA PARDO

behind the scenes of my Compton Cowboys shoot at Paramount Ranch.

below:

the actual music video curated from my cinematography and art direction from the shoot.

"Our grasp of creativity is impoverished because we fail to recognize the vital roles that partnerships, collaborations, friendships, and communities play in our thinking, learning and understanding."

- Vera John-Steiner

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Whether a story is spoken, written or depicted in film, the art of storytelling has been around since the beginning of time, and the elements of telling a story remain the same throughout the ages. Despite our decreasing attention span and profusion of content, we still hunger for compelling stories that resonate with us on a visceral level.

Self-taught photographer, stylist and producer, Courtney Ellzey feeds that hunger. Her visual stories--whether supplied in stills, video, collage or an Instagram quilt--provide the fundamental components of good storytelling, and then more. Ellzey's passion for architecture, styling, interior decor, music, and fashion infuse everything she produces almost effortlessly which makes her work the more captivating.

The video *

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Her most recent project with the Compton Cowboys was nothing short of an undertaking. The entire production from direction, styling, lighting, shooting and composing, was planned, orchestrated and executed with Ellzey at the helm. "I wanted to tell a story of grit and strength and survival, and slowly reveal the beauty and raw optimism that lies within it--a story that is relatable to everyone," she says. "This video is the culmination of that vision."

She admits the project expanded her sense of what's possible, pushed her creative boundaries, and ultimately resulted in bringing to life a deeply evocative and dramatic visual story. The video represents an ever-evolving tale comprising history, architecture, design, photography and cinematography--elements that Ellzey has honed over the years and beautifully weaved together into a tapestry that is quickly gaining her notoriety.

The music *

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KAT KAHLEEL

In the singer/songwriter's words: BABY BLUE

"It is an ode to succumbing to defeat and feeling at peace with it. I always associate the old wild western aesthetic to telling stories through song! I wanted my own version of the Wild West days, running to and from dangerous situations of love, life and death, and Baby Blue is telling that story for me." -Kat

This song, Baby Blue can be found on Kat's album ..

TO CALL THE CALM ..

Which can be found here:

https://katkhaleel.bandcamp.com/releases

released June 27, 2016

Kat Khaleel: vocals, acoustic guitar

Chris Bruce: electric and acoustic guitar, banjo

Jay Bellerose: drums, percussion

Jennifer Condos: bass

Jebin Bruni: piano, keyboards

Eric Heywood: pedal steel

tracks 2, 3, & 4 recorded by Lynne Earls

tracks 2, 3, & 4 mixed by Pete Min

tracks 1 & 5 recorded and mixed by S. Husky Hoskulds

All tracks mastered by S. Husky Hoskulds

Album artwork by Joe McKay

All songs written by Kat Khaleel

license

INSTA | @katikhal

FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/kat.khaleel

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The woman behind the production ~ Courtney Ellzey is the sole creator, designer, stylist, photographer and storyteller behind Vanner Hats and C-Word Productions. She started the brand Vanner Hats three years ago with the intention to design hats that appeal and empower women and men alike. Vanner Hats has since evolved into a lifestyle brand promoting new products like the Vanner Gun, a custom designed surfboard, and the Vanner bareback, a rugged yet fashionable denim apron. In tandem, Ellzey also owns and runs Courtney LZ Productions, the company responsible for the epic Vanner Hats/Compton Cowboys production, including this video.

"Vanner and Courtney LZ Productions are conduits for bridging the gap through artistic collaborations; it's about conversation, seeing the world through others' eyes and sharing their stories. It takes a village." says Ellzey.

WORDS by the talented artist and writer,

Claudia Pardo

Find her works here:

EVERY DAY BUDDHA

www.everydaybuddhaart.com

INSTA | @everydaybuddha

For more information on Vanner Hats products visit:

www.vannerhats.com

For inquiries about photography and video production, please inquire at:

Courtney LZ

vannerlifeandstyle@gmail.com

For more information on the Compton Cowboys: