The Chic Cowboy is Ajani Brown

My style is a beautiful woven tapestry of the many versions of me that have lived in my 33 years of life, rooted in my ancestral heritage and my relationship with the world around me. The through line of my various aesthetics is an appreciation for beauty in all of its forms and the pursuit of joy. Style, when done right, is more than just design — it sparks joy, boosts confidence, rejuvenates and inspires.

Core Components of the Chic Cowboy’s Design Aesthetic

Cowboy Western. I was raised in Texas, where my dad was born, but I have lived in Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas. I grew up seeing cowboys and cowgirls, listening to country music, and going to two-step saloons on the weekends. As young boys, my brother and I dressed up as cowboys for Halloween. What began as a childhood costume became a lifelong uniform and now, a philosophy. Today, I can be seen sporting my cowboy boots, western belt and cowboy hat on just about any day, anywhere. My western influence extends to my interior design aesthetic — black cowboys and cowgirls feature prominently in art that hangs in my apartment. My home is filled with dark woods, bone, horn and other earthly tones that root me in home and heritage.

Person standing indoors wearing a wide-brimmed black hat, sunglasses, sleeveless cropped shirt, dark jeans with a large belt, and cowboy boots, with art and furniture in the background.

A photo of two young boys wearing cowboy hats, denim jackets, and checkered shirts, standing in front of a decorative wreath on a wooden door.

A man dressed in vintage western attire, wearing a cowboy hat, dark sunglasses, a patterned coat, a white lace shirt, orange chaps, and cowboy boots, standing on a balcony at an outdoor event with trees, a crowd, and festival booths in the background

A round table with a wristwatch, a pearl necklace, and several pieces of jewelry on top. Next to the table is an open bag with an orange and some items inside.

Living room corner with a dark wooden sideboard decorated with framed photographs and certificates, books, flowers, and decorative items. A yellow chair is in front of the sideboard. To the right, there are shoes, boots, and a large round mirror lean

A man sitting on a leopard-print armchair in a colorful, eclectic room. He is smiling, wearing sunglasses, a white cowboy hat, a patriotic American flag shirt, light blue jeans, and red boots. The man is holding a black hat and pointing to a picture

A man dressed in vintage cowboy style clothing, including a black cowboy hat, sunglasses, a leather jacket, a camouflage shirt, and camouflage pants, sits on a leopard-print chair in a colorful room. The room features a bright blue wall with a large

A man dressed in a cowboy hat, sunglasses, leather jacket, and bell-bottom jeans posing with a peace sign at a concert or festival in a stadium with a large LED display and crowd in the background.

A man dressed in western style clothing with a cowboy hat, sunglasses, a patterned scarf, and cowboy boots, sitting on a chair in a room with western-themed artwork and decor.

Man taking a mirror selfie dressed in a cowboy hat, blazer, dress shirt, skirt, jeans, and cowboy boots.

Man wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, a white blazer, leopard print shirt, orange pants, and a large belt with a decorative buckle, standing in a brightly colored room.

A man taking a mirror selfie in a hallway. He's wearing a black cowboy hat, a white shirt, a black vest, a black tie, black jeans with white text on the leg, and black boots.

A man standing on a city sidewalk wearing a cowboy hat, sunglasses, a patterned black and white coat, a beige sweater, rust-colored pants, and brown boots, with brick and building facades in the background.

A man wearing a cowboy hat, red vest, white lace shirt, and jeans is sitting on a beige couch, looking at his phone. Behind him is a large wooden bookshelf filled with books, some open and displayed. On a wooden table in front of him are a water glas

A man wearing a white cowboy hat, sunglasses, a dark blazer with leopard print details, and a colorful tie, leaning against a painted parking lot curb with a hotel and billboard in the background.

A man dressed in a leather jacket, cowboy hat, sunglasses, and red cowboy boots posing on a concert field in front of a large LED screen displaying the American flag during a country music concert.

The Natural Born King. I was born in the middle of a pine forest aptly named Pineville, Louisiana, where my grandparents still live to this day. It is there my appreciation for natural beauty manifested. I grew up birdwatching with my grandmother in the mornings, swinging to and fro in the hammock strung between two mighty pine trees. In elementary school, I read almost exclusively non-fiction books about animals and nature, and the zoo was my favorite place as a kid. The natural world is not only a source of beauty but of sovereignty. As an adult, natural and exotic prints, textures and fabrics are staples in my wardrobe. Birds and big cats not only appear on my clothes, but on my jewelry, pillows, and art throughout my home. My home, aptly named the King’s Lair, is anchored by the lion above my bed as well as the one who sleeps thereunder. My living space is a natural paradise filled with floral arrangements, natural foods, natural light, and is an ode to the majesty and beauty of the natural world.

A man stands on a city sidewalk wearing a large black cowboy hat, sunglasses, a colorful tropical print jacket, light blue jeans, and black shoes. He holds a black bag with one hand, a blue cup in the other, and has a pink flower pinned to his jacket

Living room wall with various art pieces, a large mirror, a gold-framed mirror, a table with books, a lamp, vases, and decorative items, and a cluttered basket and framed certificate on the floor.

A man standing outdoors in a park-like setting with tall trees and a partly cloudy sky, wearing a colorful tropical shirt, white shorts, a large white hat, yellow sunglasses, and athletic shoes.

A cluttered living room and dining area with various lamps, artwork, books, and decorative items, including animal and mask images on the walls, a fur-covered chair, and a small round glass table.

Kitchen sink with pink lilies in a gold vase, a cutting board with lemon slices, and a bowl of fruit including bananas, apples, and oranges. White cabinets and a pink framed art piece on the wall.

Bedroom with bed featuring a blue and white patterned quilt, and assorted pillows including animal print and fur. Above the bed, a framed lion portrait hangs on the wall. To the right, a large mirror leans against the wall, reflecting part of the roo

A man dressed in eclectic, colorful fashion standing in a room, holding a vase with sunflowers, wearing a cowboy hat, sunglasses, a patterned blazer, purple shorts, and cowboy boots, smiling

Varsity Black Ivy Prep. I graduated from Brown University where my Ivy style certainly flourished, but that’s not where it got its start. My parents dressed my brother and me in Ivy Prep — largely polos and khakis — for back-to-school even though we did not attend private school. In classic Black Ivy fashion, I “remixed and re-envisioned” these classics into something uniquely me and undeniably cool. Jason Jules & Graham Marsh, Black Ivy: A Revolt in Style (pg. 8). Part of my ability to re-envision these classics is born from my athletics background. I’m a track legend. I was a District Champion, Regional Champion and state qualifier in the 400m in high school. I was later the track captain at Brown University where I still have the 7th fastest time in the 400m as well as top 10 relay finishes. By definition, I am a varsity jock, and I have the letterman’s sweater, jackets, and medals to prove it. Jocks are known for adding extra flair to otherwise standard pieces and I am no different. Bold color chino shorts, loafers with crew socks, popped collars, and liberally unbuttoned button-downs are regular features in my style. At home, my college medals are framed and my Ivy Heptagonal Track & Field programs are prominently displayed. When you step into the King’s Lair, you instantly know you’re in the home of a Black ivy jock.

A man wearing a large white hat, sunglasses, and a colorful varsity jacket is kissing a trophy. The trophy has a plaque with the name Ajani Brown. The background includes a blue wall, a framed display of medals, a window, and a lamp.

Three young men standing with crossed arms; two wearing sleeveless argyle sweater vests and the middle man wearing a team sports jersey; they are indoors in a room with wooden furniture.

Office desk with a green mug, a black water bottle, a glass with dried flowers, and a notebook. The background features a corkboard with various notes, photos, and memorabilia pinned up.

A man dressed in casual and flashy attire standing in a parking lot in front of a cityscape with modern skyscrapers, holding a bottle and flexing his arm.

Man taking a mirror selfie in a home decor store, dressed in a white oversized shirt, white shorts, white socks, and slides, wearing sunglasses, a white cap, and carrying a brown tote bag.

Display case with medals from the 2014 Heptagonal Indoor Track & Field Championships at Dartmouth, part of the Ivy League, featuring medals for Brown University.

Person taking a mirror selfie in a room with orange and teal walls, holding a brown bag, dressed in a white shirt, yellow tie, tan pants, brown shoes, with a gray sweater draped over shoulders and a patterned hat with orange sunglasses on top.

Two people, a woman and a man, standing on grass in a park or campus with leafless trees and a stone building in the background. The woman is wearing a yellow jacket, patterned scarf, and holding a paper coffee cup. The man is wearing a yellow polo s

A person wearing a blue furry hat, sunglasses, and a colorful outfit sitting in a decorated room with teal walls, leopard print chairs, and vibrant decor.

A man wearing a cowboy hat, sunglasses, a gray and black jacket with yellow patch, and brown pants, holding a trophy in a colorful room.

A woman crossing the street at a crosswalk, smiling and wearing sunglasses, a striped beige and white shirt, plaid pants, and sandals, carrying a tote bag in one hand and a water bottle in the other, with a pink building, billboard, and traffic light

A man stands indoors wearing a large furry gray hat with ear flaps, sunglasses, a black blazer with a decorative pin, a bright red sweater, a plaid shirt, and plaid pants. He is pointing with his right hand at the camera. There is a red handbag on th

Person taking a mirror selfie in a brightly colored room, dressed in a stylish outfit with a blazer, tie, pleated kilt, cropped pants, red shoes, sunglasses, cap, and holding a bag.

Superfine Tailoring. I got my first official suit in Pineville, Louisiana when I was in middle school. I remember the pride my dad had in eyes. He had the same look when we got my Brooks Brothers suit for my law school interviews. To him, it was “a decisive and poignant moment of literal and metaphorical self-fashioning.” Monica Miller, et. al, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style (pg. 49). My dad always instilled in me the importance of fine, tailored suiting for men, as well as its necessary accoutrements: ties, cuff links for French cuffs, and quality re-craftable shoes. “You can never be overdressed,” he would say. I became a lawyer in 2017 and practiced at two of the country’s top law firms for a total of 7 years. My wardrobe is filled with button downs, trousers, blazers, suits, and dress shoes — all in a variety of colors. Though the profession turned out more casual than my dad or I could have imagined — a colleague asked me why I had a suit on one day at the office of a law firm (it was technically not a suit as the jacket and pants were not cut from the same fabric or even the same color for that matter) — my appreciation for tailoring never left. I left corporate law, but superfine tailoring will always be a part of my style aesthetic.

A man in a patterned blazer, white shirt, black tie, and black trousers standing on a city sidewalk. He wears a furry hat, glasses, and shiny black shoes, holding a red handbag in his right hand. Tall buildings and a CBS sign are visible in the backg

A man sitting on stairs, dressed in a fashionable outfit with a black wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, a patterned coat with fur collar, black shoes, beige pants, and holding a black bag.

A man dressed in a light gray suit, white shirt, red tie, white cowboy hat, sunglasses, and watch, sitting on a leopard-print armchair in a room with turquoise walls, a beige lamp, and a wall art picture of a man in a black suit at a buffet table. Th

Man dressed in a suit with a cowboy hat taking a mirror selfie in a colorful kitchen, holding a black bag and wearing black shoes.

A man taking a mirror selfie in a gym locker room. He is dressed in a navy blue blazer, white shirt, patterned tie, large black pants, and sunglasses. He is holding a water bottle and appears to be in a workout facility.

A young man dressed in a blazer, white shirt, sunglasses, and cap standing in a colorful living room with a teal wall, a brown leather chair, a side table with a lamp, and various objects.

Man dressed in a suit with a cowboy hat and sunglasses, sitting in an office chair, holding a black briefcase, wearing red gloves and making a peace sign with his left hand.

A man dressed in a tuxedo with a bow tie, black hat, sunglasses, red socks, and black shoes stands in an art museum next to ancient Egyptian sculptures and carvings displayed on a beige wall.

A man in a light gray blazer, black shirt, and black fur-trimmed shorts, wearing sunglasses and standing with his hand in his pocket, in a room with framed artwork, a dresser, and a laundry basket.

A person walking on a city sidewalk, wearing a blue blazer, dress shirt, shorts, and black shoes with white socks. They are carrying a black briefcase and a black case on their back. The person is also wearing rings, a watch, and a patterned scarf.

A man in a pinstripe blue suit with a red velvet shirt, black scarf, and silver jewelry, posing indoors.

Sartorial Dandy Flair. I’m no stranger to drama and flair. My mother, a serial watcher of shows like the Young and the Restless and Bridgerton, passed down her love for ornate fashion, which I picked up on countless shopping trips. Perusing the racks at Neiman Marcus, Saks, the outlet mall and whichever other stores she visited, I studied the fabrics, cuts, and patterns, how the music complemented the shopping experience, and how the mannequins were styled. In my last few months of New York, I started capturing the styles of the living mannequin I’d become in a sartorial self-portrait series — weaving together fabrics, patterns, colors and cultural elements in an avant garde style akin to Ike Ude, though I only learned of him after my visit to Superfine: Tailoring Black Style exhibit at the Met later that year. Each outfit became a performance — an ode to my own self-determination, beauty, and the interconnectedness of global style. My interior mirrors this regal flair: baroque gold vanities, oversized lamps, crane side tables, and art covered walls. The flair contributes to the overall fabulousness that makes the Chic Cowboy uniquely chic.

Person dressed in colorful tropical shirt, sunglasses, and black mask, standing on street with cars and a building in the background.

A person standing outdoors in front of a modern glass building and trees with few leaves, dressed in a furry hat and coat, sunglasses, a colorful scarf, and distressed jeans.

A man dressed in a trendy, eclectic outfit sits on a stool in a tastefully decorated room, pointing at the camera. The room features a dark dresser, a sunflower in a vase, potted plants, artwork on the wall, a large mirror leaning against the wall, a

Colorful Whimsy. Like every kid, I was obsessed with color, so much so that my first AOL screename was babybluekid298. The reason kids love color is simple: it sparks joy and improves mood. Into my adulthood, I never left this obsession behind. I painted each room in my old apartment a completely different color. My wardrobe bursts with bold pieces: bright orange flared jeans, a pink-orange-yellow sweater, purple trousers, and my red vintage handbag. My home is filled with Jonathan Adler, who I half-jokingly refer to as one of my dads. He writes that color combinations can “raise the reaction in levels in your brain, creating euphoria.” Jonathan Adler, My Prescription for Anti-Depressive Living (pg. 36). For me, that’s true across the color spectrum. Color is my antidepressant of choice, and my prescription is particularly bold, bright and unapologetic.

Anime, Nerd Chic. Part of me will always be a comic and anime nerd. I would rush home from elementary school to catch Yu-Gi-Oh on television. My other favorites included: Dragonball-Z, X-Men, Static Shock, Pokémon, Teen Titans, TEKKEN, and Naruto. Today, Dragonball-Z and Sonic posters hang in my bathroom, Goku dangles from my keychain and comes with me everywhere I go, and one of my favorite t-shirts shows Darth Vader lifting up baby Kylo Ren on Pride Rock. These worlds shaped me because, while the characters often had supernaturals powers, the true power was always within them. Style reminds me of the same thing every day: the true magic is already inside and it’s up to me to unlock it.

The Chic Cowboy’s aesthetic is where heritage meets imagination —a living tapestry woven from the west, the natural, the regal, the refined, the playful, and the powerful. It radiates, elevates and amplifies.