Prinking in Pindan & travelling in comfort

Long days on an outback cattle station require stamina and clothes that can comfortably go the distance.

After Isabella Thrupp started working in the Kimberley, she realised her jeans weren’t up to the task.

Enter Prinking in Pindan, a line of jeans that Isabella designed around her work at Leopold Downs, a wagyu breeding property (owned by Pardoo Beef Corporation) that she co-manages with her partner, Jacob Dunn.

“I designed Pindan jeans specifically for women working in the heat and dust,” Isabella says.

“It depends on the season, but usually we’re up before sunrise and finish around dark, so easily 12 to 14 hours a day in jeans.

“That’s why I knew they had to be comfortable and practical. The denim is heavier and more durable than what’s typically on the market for women, with styles that still have stretch for comfort and movement.

“They sit higher on the waist for practicality and fit. I’ve made sure they’re actually shaped for women’s bodies, meaning no gaping, no pulling, just jeans you can work hard in and feel good wearing all day.

“They’re perfect for anyone who wants jeans that can handle travel, dust, and long days on the road. They’re tough but flattering — that’s what I love most about them.”

Isabella spent a year cutting up jeans, testing denim and having samples made in the quest for perfection.

“There was a lot of trial and error sending samples back and forth, testing them on the station, seeing how they held up branding cattle or riding, until I got it right,” she says.

“It came down to wear testing. I went through several types of denim until I found one that was strong enough to handle station work but still breathable and flattering.”

The WA winner of the AgriFutures 2025 Rural Women’s Award, Isabella’s innovation was further recognised when she was named national runner-up for her work to empower rural women, bridge the gap between country and city life, and champion sustainability.

The $15,000 prize will allow her to continue developing her jeans.

“They’re designed here in Australia by me; originally they were manufactured overseas by a small team I worked closely with,” Isabella says.

“But thanks to the support and opportunities that came from the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award, I’ve now been able to move to an Australian company, which is something I’m really proud of.

“I’m using the opportunity to keep developing my product line and looking at ways to make Prinking in Pindan even more sustainable and accessible — especially through wholesaling into remote community stores. On a personal level, the professional development side of the award has been huge in building my leadership and business skills.”

Isabella grew up in NSW on her parents’ horse-breeding property and has a background in real estate and stock and station work. Curiosity about station life in the north lured her to WA in 2021 for what was supposed to be a short adventure.

“But I instantly fell in love with the lifestyle, the people, and the country, and I never looked back,” she says.

Prinking isn’t a term you hear much these days which is why Isabella loves it.

“Prinking means to make yourself look nice before going out, and the idea actually came from my grandma,” she says.

“She told me how, back in the day, they’d ‘prink themselves’ in the mirror before heading out, and it just stuck with me. It felt like the perfect fit for what I wanted to create; workwear that lets women feel good about themselves even when they’re covered in pindan dust. It’s a bit old-fashioned, a bit fun, and very true to life out here.”

The jeans come in two styles, Original and Elite, but both can take the wearer from the yards or saddle straight into town. Three releases have each sold out in less than 24 hours.

“It’s definitely a juggle, long nights packing orders and runs to the Derby or Fitzroy Crossing post office, which is about two hours away,” Isabella says.

“But it’s so worth it when you see women tagging and messaging saying how much they love them.

“They’re perfect for anyone who wants jeans that can handle travel, dust, and long days on the road. They’re tough but flattering — that’s what I love most about them.”

The next release of Prinking in Pindan jeans is due in January, with denim skirts also on the cards for 2026.

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