What inspired you to start your own clothing line?
Everything. My life was on a pretty stable linear path, and I knew I didn’t want to do that. I wanted to do my own thing, and I thought I could do it better than anyone else. When I started, I was for lack of better words, clueless, and I liked it that way. I kind of learned as I went along. I’ve been on a mission to prove that I knew what I was doing. I think we just found our voice, and here I am.
What made you choose the name “Durkl”? What does it mean to you?
It means nothing. I wanted to make up a word that wouldn’t mean anything to anybody and that could be used in no other context and in no other way. I didn’t want anyone to think of anything other than what we put on our clothing and the lifestyle we put out. I didn’t want anyone to infringe on that or change it in any way.
Have you always been interested in fashion?
Yes, but more so the culture. The clothes are one part of the whole culture. It is not so much rebellion but more so an undercurrent, a crew of people who are looking to be involved in things that aren’t so mass marketed. I have always been attracted to people who are passionate about doing their own thing with no backing.
What is the greatest obstacle you’ve faced in starting your line?
There have been 10 million. We are jumping hurdles every single day. The hardest thing we’ve faced so far is the economy. It isn’t easy for fashion right now. You have to refresh everything and find a new way to do business. It’s really challenging, and in the end made it hard.
What do you feel has been your greatest accomplishment?
There have been 10 million that happen every single day from finding out who’s making the best hat to selling to our favorite boutique in Chicago. Small things on the outside are really big on the inside.
Is there any artist or group that you feel truly embodies the spirit of Durkl?
No. I think that’s what sets us apart. We don’t really have any person in mind when we’re designing. A lot of these brands are really urban and sporty, but we kind of fit it all. We fit in with the skate culture, the urban culture and the trendy boutiques as well. The makeup of this company reflects that internally also.
What else sets Durkl apart from other brands?
A lot of things. For one, we do it out of D.C. A lot of people get caught up in thinking that it’s not possible to do anything fashion related outside of New York City or Los Angeles or Paris. It’s unique that we only want to do it here. I grew up here, and I have a place in my heart for D.C. On an aesthetic level, what sets us apart is that we’re making nice high quality clothes for the street market. It’s not garbage like a lot of brands put out, but not in a high class way either.
You’ve clearly come a long way, but where do you see Durkl five years from now?
Still in D.C. and hopefully in the same space. We’ve got this crude looking outside with a built out inside. I’d say hopefully we’ll have a few retail shops, distribution all across the world and absolutely no internal mentality change. Just bigger, badder, better, dirtier and sponsoring Howard’s homecoming [laughs].
If you could describe Durkl in one word what would it be?
Birthday cake. It’s the best thing possible. You get one every year on the best day of your life. Everyone wants it and can’t wait for it. Durkl is birthday cake.
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