Daniel Silver and Steven Cox are amazing with their hands. They ought to be. They've built a fashion empire with them. Silver, the Canadian former glove designer, and Cox, the English ex-Tommy Hillfiger-itte, are proud owners of Duckie Brown - the menswear label that specialises in "dressing men beautifully". And it's true. That's exactly what Duckie Brown does.
Founded in 2001 by the two determined, fashion-forward thinkers, Duckie Brown has since shown at various fashion weeks, been nominated by the Council of Fashion Designers Of America for it's menswear designer of the year award (alongside Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein), is stocked in retailers around the globe and has a following that seems to be gathering momentum much like an avalanche. And guess what? One of those followers is me!
Their clothes, especially for spring summer this year, are, much like their myspace page declares, 'colourful and handsome'. For spring, a gorgeous palette of neutral colours mixed with checks were chosen for tailored, light jackets, tops and, item du jour, shorts. It was actually the bow-detail shorts which caught my eye and spurred me to contact Daniel and Steven for a little catch up. Here's what they had to say.
Enjoy!
The Very: Your SS10 collection is gorgeous. Where did the inspiration come from?
The Duckies: In past seasons we covered up the body and protected it only revealing certain areas. For spring summer 2010 we wanted to open up and reveal the body - and so we created lighter, more revealing pieces while keeping structure and straight lines. We layered more fluid fabrics over structured fabrics.
The Very: The first few looks are in darker hues than the rest of the range, and in quite heavy checks, is that still a trend for this SS?
The Duckies: We always use checks and plaids, and although the fabrics may look heavier because of the colour, they are in fact very light. The first section of this show was a continuation of the last look of the previous show (Fall 2010) which was heavy tweeds all on top of one another - and so you have the same effect at the start of the SS2010 collection but in very light cotton and silk tweed and checks - all layered with stripe chiffon shirtings. As the show progressed, the piece became lighter and looser, closing with hand printed abstract plaid silk chiffon shirts
The Very: Mens clothes are becoming more feminine, do you think the 'market' is opening up to this?
The Duckies: We believe the lines of masculinity and femininity are blurring, and so people are opening up to more possibilities concerning what they will wear.
The Very: Would you be flattered or angered if the high street took one of your designs and replicated it?
The Duckies:Flattered. No one can replicate anything, at best it's a pale imitation. And perhaps their interpretation might be interesting. Anything is possible!
The Very: Explain your logo to me?
The Duckies: It's called the cock and crown. It's a big cock perched on a smaller crown. Steven is English and so it was a way to reference pubs in England and his English passport.
The Very: Grey almost always crops up in your collections, as do other neutral tones. Are they easy colours to work with? Or do they sell well? Or are they just your favourites?
The Duckies: We love grey - all shades of the colour. It looks beautiful and it's a refreshing change from black or navy or brown.
The Very: Some of the shorts in the new collection have bows on the front, which personally I absolutely love. It's a new concept and slightly Valentino - what was the thought behind these?
The Duckies: You hit the nail on the head - and you're the first one to get it! Yes, Valentino - it was our homage to him and other great women's designers. But mostly, we love bows - so why not? Again, it was about structure. The bow was stiffened with fusing, therefore playing off the lightness of the other lighter fabrics.
The Very: Where do you think mens fashion will be in 10 years?
The Duckies: Hopefully somewhere different from where we are today.
The very: What would you say are the staple items for a man's wardrobe for summer and winter?
The Duckies:
Winter:
Beautiful two button tailored jacket
A gorgeous white shirt
Tailored narrow trousers
A tailored overcoat
Summer:
Shorts (with or without a bow)
A light weight t-shirt
A great light weight bomber
The Very: What's next for Duckie Brown?
The Duckies: Neighborhood domination!
Shirts - $350 - 450
Shorts - $400
Jacket - $750 - $1,200
Available at www.duckiebrown.com