Western Wear Executive Michael Dvorak Dies at 56

Michael Dvorak, an experienced executive in the Western wear and footwear sector, died on July 18 at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas.

A tribute is being planned for Dvorak, 56, this fall in Colorado.

Media requests to Dvorak’s family via the Martin Thompson & Son Funeral Home were unreturned.

Born in Phoenix and raised in Colorado, Dvorak started working in marketing and Western apparel after graduating from Northglenn High School in Northglenn, Colo.  During his career, he held various executive roles, starting at the Western wear specialist Miller International. In 1999, Dvorak was promoted to vice president of merchandising for the Denver-based Rocky Mountain Clothing Co., then a division of Miller International. That expanded role involved overseeing marketing and merchandising for all of the company’s brands — Rockies, Cinch and Cruel Girl, as well as its plus-size and children’s lines. Dvorak also had a hand in designing Western clothing and boots for Cinch, Cruel Girl, Southern Thread and Tin Haul.

By his own account, Dvorak described himself as “a solution-focused, intuitive executive, who leads companies through change and challenge.”

In 2006, he moved on to Karman Inc. as vice president of marketing and operations for seven years, before joining the Rios of Mercedes Boot Co. as vice president of sales for three years. In 2016, Dvorak signed up with Justin Brands, a division of Berkshire Hathaway, working in product development for the Justin and Tony Lama brands for two years. By 2018, he was tapped as chief operating officer of Lone Star Ropes, Icehole Coolers and the South Texas Distillery. From 2020 to 2023, Dvorak was the southeast territory manager for Corral Boot Co.

Disinterested in job titles, he was said to have treated everyone equally, including colleagues at all levels and in factories in Mexico, according to an online tribute.

During Dvorak’s career, the Western wear market has experienced significant growth. In 2016, Western wear was a $71.1 billion industry, according to Allied Market Research. As of 2022, the Western wear was a $112.6 billion market and one that is expected to reach $185.1 billion in volume by 2032. Ralph Lauren tied into Western wear decades before other major designers. Beyonce’s “Cowboy Culture” album, Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and Pharrell Williams’ cowboy-inspired Louis Vuitton show earlier this year have bolstered interest in the category on a global scale this year.

Dvorak is survived by his parents Judy and Jim, his sister Lorrie Duthie, his brother Brian, his three daughters from his first marriage to his former wife Carolyn Martin — Caitlin Ross, Mackenzie Dvorak and Carley Metz. He is also survived by his fourth daughter Findley Dvorak and her mother, Carrie, to whom he was wed for 23 years.  

In lieu of flowers, a college scholarship fund has been established at the University of Iowa for Findley in Michael Dvorak’s memory.