Twisted Chic Co.

132 S. Main St., Shawano | 920-637-4748

When Bree Hornes started Twisted Chic Co. in Shawano on January 1, she envisioned her boutique as being only online. That all changed on April 18 when she opened a store at 132 S. Main St. above Thornberry Cottage.
“It didn’t take long for me to realize that I truly thrive on in-person connections — the conversations, the relationships and getting to help people feel confident in what they wear,” she said. “I enjoy hands-on customer interactions a lot more but also love to see my products going to other states with online orders. I love helping people find their style. Business was growing quickly and continues to do so.”
Hornes also runs Spinning B Equine, an equine-related business in Navarino, with Russell Batista. That business eventually led to the creation of Twisted Chic Co.
“That lifestyle is where my love for western fashion really took off,” she said. “Traveling to Texas regularly opened my eyes to a whole new level of style — effortless, bold and full of personality. I remember thinking ‘we need this in Wisconsin.’ I wanted to bring that southern/western influence back home in a way that felt fresh and exciting.”
Originally from Menasha, she lived in Shawano before life took her to Batista’s home state of Nebraska about eight years ago. Eventually, Hornes and Batista found their way back to Wisconsin and built a life on a 100-acre parcel in Navarino.
“Through all of that, one thing stayed constant — my dream of owning a boutique,” Hornes said. “Even as a little girl — I’ve always loved clothing and expressing different styles.”
As their equine business started taking off, she said she found herself getting burnt out.
“I knew I needed to step back and take a chance on something that had always been on my heart,” she said. “Starting Twisted Chic Co. was that leap. I still help with the horses, but I definitely do it less and deal with the people on that aspect a lot less. Taking on a new business definitely helped bring my spark back, and I’m slowly finding a love for horses again. A lot of burnout happens in the equine industry. It’s very common.”
The southern and western styles she encountered on her equine-related trips she now offers Twisted Chic Co. customers.
“We have a wide variety of styles and some are more casual with a nice pair of boots, belt and turquoise accessories,” Hornes said. “We also have some wild styles (think Nashville or NFR (national finals rodeo) and literally everything in between. We really have something for everyone.”
According to Hornes, western styles are more vintage, old school and gypsy while the southern style is more bold, edgy and fun.
“You don’t really see a lot of these styles up here, but I believe people travel and love the styles but just don’t have a place they can make it happen,” she said. “I think that it is exciting to have the option to now do that.”
Hornes offers a variety of clothing collections that offer different looks. There is what she calls the Midnight Cowgirl look that she describes as dark, edgy western with a little attitude with black, deep tones, leather, fringe and a touch of glam. She calls it bold, confident and a little rebellious.
Her Desert Darling collection she said is warm, earthy, and free-spirited with soft neutrals, sun-faded tones, flowy fabrics and natural textures that offers effortless, laid-back western vibes.
The Southern Belle collection is a feminine, sweet and classic look with lace, florals, soft pastels and romantic silhouettes — polished western with a graceful, charming feel.
Others include Prairie Moon — soft, rustic, and a little vintage with flowy dresses, muted tones, subtle prints and an old-west, countryside feel; Western Luxe — elevated western with a polished edge with rich colors, sleek silhouettes, statement pieces and high-end details; and Coastal Cowgirl — light, airy and beachy with a western twist with whites, denim, soft blues, linen textures, and relaxed fits. Think cowgirl meets ocean breeze.
“My favorite collection is Midnight Cowgirl and Prairie Moon,” she said. “I try to wear all my collections, though, to show them off properly. Any time I’m working or out, I’m wearing my own statement pieces. What better way to promote your business than wearing it?”
Twisted Chic Co. also offers a variety of accessories, jewelry, wallets, makeup bags, purses, belts, buckles and perfume. Sometimes, pre-made gift sets are also available.
“Our goal is for women to step out of their comfort zone into something they love or something they’ve see on others and love, and I hope we can help them with loving it on themselves,” she said.
Community involvement and giving back are important to Hornes, and she said it’s something she plans to do even more as her business continues to expand.
“I’m still in the process of deciding exactly where and how I want to contribute, because I want it to be meaningful and aligned with causes I truly believe in,” she said. “I’m especially interested in finding unique ways to give back that feel different and impactful rather than just doing what’s typically expected. As I continue building, my goal is to create opportunities — whether through events, partnerships or donations — that not only support the community but also bring people together in a positive way.”
Having been in business less than five months, Hornes is already planning on expanding in her Thornberry Cottage space by June 1 and said it’s possible she may start another business down the road.
“I love being busy,” she said. “Sometimes, I need to remember to stop and relax. My mind is always going.”
She said she’s thankful for the support the community has given her since opening at the beginning of the year.
“The love, the encouragement, and the people who walk through my doors every day have made this all worth it,” Hornes said. “I truly believe small businesses are what make communities thrive, and I will always support others chasing their dreams too. More than anything, I wanted to show our daughters what can happen when you work hard and put your whole heart into something — and this is just the beginning.”