Somewhere between the tailgates and the tunnel walk, a new kind of tradition is stepping up in Fort Worth and it has a TCU twist. Luxury Western footwear brand CHAZLYN Boots by Chaz Pilarcik is returning to its Texas roots with an exclusive three-day pop-up at the city’s premier luxury destination, The Crescent Hotel Fort Worth, September 11 through 13. Open daily from 4 to 7 p.m., the event will unveil CHAZLYN’s first-ever TCU-inspired design — a handcrafted, limited-edition purple boot that fuses game-day energy with elevated fashion. Fort Worth locals and hotel guests are invited to shop the new drop in a refined setting that celebrates both Horned Frog pride and high style. 

Chaz Pilarcik — a Fort Worth native and founder of CHAZLYN Boots — has already made waves in L.A. with her signature blend of Western style and high-fashion polish. Her designs have caught the eye and the feet of celebrities like Carrie Underwood and Kelsea Ballerini. But this fall, she’s bringing it all back to where it started: home. 

We recently caught up with Pilarcik ahead of the Crescent Hotel pop-up to talk about the new TCU-inspired line, her growth since the last time we spoke, and what’s next for CHAZLYN Boots. 

Fort Worth Magazine: How have things been in the boot business since we last met? 

Chaz Pilarcik: Things have been going really well. We’ve leaned into grassroots events and organic growth, putting most of our energy into building trust and real connection with our customers. There’s no clear playbook for this, but we’re carving out our lane — right now, the focus is simply getting boots on the ground. 

FWM: Your new TCU boot launch has a cool look. How did you and TCU become involved in this project? 

CP: Creating a collegiate collection has always been a goal of mine, but I wanted to begin with one school and focus on the process. TCU was the natural first choice — the CHAZLYN x TCU licensed boot is grounded in the same Fort Worth roots that shaped our brand. 

FWM: Can you take me through the design process? 

CP: I started with our classic CHAZLYN silhouette and made a few subtle changes, like adding a scalloped edge with an embroidered finish. The Horned Frog is very detailed, so we went through a careful process to make sure the logo placement and pattern represented the university properly. Being our first collegiate boot, I wanted it to feel timeless and versatile — perfect for game day or after hours. 

FWM: Do you have plans for more collegiate collabs in the future? 

CP: Absolutely! We would love to continue to roll out more collegiate partnerships in the future. Everything I have done with the brand has been intentional so starting with my hometown university was our first step into expanding into this field. I’m excited to bring a less traditional, more fashion-focused licensed product to the mix. 

FWM: What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned from this collab? 

CP: My biggest takeaway from this partnership is how naturally everything flows when the vision is shared. The alignment and the support from everyone has been unmatched. The Crescent Hotel Fort Worth team has been at the heart of it — they opened their doors to us in such a meaningful way, and this launch wouldn’t be the same without them. 

FWM: What are some new things you have your sights on for the future of CHAZLYN Boots? 

CP: Our priority is September in Fort Worth and making the CHAZLYN x TCU partnership shine. Beyond that, I’m excited to keep growing the collegiate collection and rolling out pop-ups and activations across Texas.