Dur Doux
Najla & Cynthia Burt
By Rodney Wayne Branche
Copa Style Magazine Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
Copa: Where are you originally from?
Dur Doux: I am originally from Tallahassee, Florida. Living in Florida’s tropical climate allowed me to wear different clothing that was full of color and patterns. When its 90 degrees outside you don’t want be caught wearing black for fear of becoming over heated. There are palm trees everywhere and the environment feels as if you are living on a beach for the most part. When I moved to New York City, the landscape was very different. There were skyscraper buildings everywhere and the style of clothing people wore was very different because they dressed for four seasons. The environment was much more urban and people wore clothing that were much more functional to the urban landscape. While I lived in the city, I found myself wearing more muted colors such as blacks, greys and whites and a lot less color.
Copa: What schools have you attended?
Dour Doux: I attended Parsons school of Design in New York City, New York.
During my studies at Parsons, I took several technical courses such as construction techniques I, II and III, draping, pattern making, cut & sew knits, and avant-garde. I have proficient understanding in the construction of garments, as well as a great comprehension in textiles, with a focus on print development and technology-fused textiles. My knowledge and awareness in computers and technology have allowed me to experience working with programs like Photoshop and In-Design. I also have in-depth knowledge in creating technical flats, tech packs and line sheets using Illustrator and Excel.
Also, while attending Parsons I interned and worked for prestigious fashion labels such as Alexander Wang, Costume National and Staff International USA which house brands such as MM6 and Viktor & Rolf in a wholesale sales capacity.
Dour Doux: I attended Parsons school of Design in New York City, New York.
During my studies at Parsons, I took several technical courses such as construction techniques I, II and III, draping, pattern making, cut & sew knits, and avant-garde. I have proficient understanding in the construction of garments, as well as a great comprehension in textiles, with a focus on print development and technology-fused textiles. My knowledge and awareness in computers and technology have allowed me to experience working with programs like Photoshop and In-Design. I also have in-depth knowledge in creating technical flats, tech packs and line sheets using Illustrator and Excel.
Also, while attending Parsons I interned and worked for prestigious fashion labels such as Alexander Wang, Costume National and Staff International USA which house brands such as MM6 and Viktor & Rolf in a wholesale sales capacity.
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Copa: At what time did you discover you had a flair for creating fabulous fashion?
Dur Doux: As a child, I was creative and enjoyed playing with color design in my own clothing. I wore many different hairstyles and hair colors and experimenting with my own personal style as often as I could. I would take whatever trend was in at the time and find a creative spin to it. In addition, I would experiment with styling looks for friends and family. Copa: Why did you decide to form the team of Dur Doux?
Dur Doux: My family has been an integral part of my future and my business. My mother is the VP/Co-Designer of my business and she assists me with the creative as well as the operational side of the business. My sister serves as the financial officer and my brother as the marketing consultant for Dur Doux. My entire family is invested in the growth of Dur Doux and they have worked diligently to see Dur Doux propel forward. |
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Copa: How would you describe the ‘Dur Doux’ look and feel?
Dur Doux: I create clothing that makes a woman feel strong, empowered and sexy all at the same time. I feel women have so many roles in life such as a mother, a wife, an executive, etc. I want my clothing to allow a woman to feel that she can be anything she chooses at any given moment.
My education at Parsons coupled with my sales and merchandising experience has allowed me to have well-rounded knowledge in the fashion industry and has pushed me to create innovative and contemporary designs that are wearable and commercially viable.
Dur Doux: I create clothing that makes a woman feel strong, empowered and sexy all at the same time. I feel women have so many roles in life such as a mother, a wife, an executive, etc. I want my clothing to allow a woman to feel that she can be anything she chooses at any given moment.
My education at Parsons coupled with my sales and merchandising experience has allowed me to have well-rounded knowledge in the fashion industry and has pushed me to create innovative and contemporary designs that are wearable and commercially viable.
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Copa: What inspired you to become a designer?
Dur Doux: I grew up watching my mother make clothes for my siblings and I would often accompany her to select fabric for the clothes she made for us. In addition, my aunt on my mother’s side received a degree in Fashion Merchandising and is an excellent seamstress. Furthermore, my grandmother worked for 25 years a major department store. You could say in some ways that fashion is in my blood. I feel that I was born to be a Fashion Designer. Copa: What was your first experience in the clothing industry?
Dur Doux: My first experience in a wholesale environment started when I began working as an Assistant Account Coordinator for Staff International USA. I developed a thorough understanding of the brand positioning of MM6 and learned what buyers were looking for in terms of what made sense to their customer and what garments were the most commercial. After attending Parsons, and working for such prestigious brands as Alexander Wang and MM6, I felt that I had the necessary combination of creative and business savvy to start my own label. I wanted to share with the world my vision and voice of fashion. |
Copa: At what time did you decide to launch Dur Doux and how was it done?
Dur Doux: I decided to launch Dur Doux shortly after graduating from Parsons. I wasn’t sure how I would be able to acquire funding so I began researching on Google regarding funding a fashion startup. I came across the concept of Crowd Funding. On June 15th, 2012, I was successfully able to raise capitol via Kickstarter to create my first collection, "Dark Fiction" and launch my label Dur Doux. I used the funding that I received from my Kickstarter proceeds for the collection development, marketing materials such as line sheets and look books and website.
Dur Doux: I decided to launch Dur Doux shortly after graduating from Parsons. I wasn’t sure how I would be able to acquire funding so I began researching on Google regarding funding a fashion startup. I came across the concept of Crowd Funding. On June 15th, 2012, I was successfully able to raise capitol via Kickstarter to create my first collection, "Dark Fiction" and launch my label Dur Doux. I used the funding that I received from my Kickstarter proceeds for the collection development, marketing materials such as line sheets and look books and website.
Copa: For what reason did you choose this career path?
Dur Doux: I started my business because I wanted to see someone who looked like me design luxury clothing. I read top fashion publications and watch runway shows from the major fashion capitols around the world and I never see young, black female designers. Nor, do I see young, black female designers who are designing affordable luxury collections. Some of the top young designers today who are known around the world are not black female designers. I wanted to be the person who changes that image. I want people in the fashion industry to see a different face of fashion. I chose fashion as my career path because of my love for clothes. I always loved experimenting with clothing and creating my own spin on trends.
Dur Doux: I started my business because I wanted to see someone who looked like me design luxury clothing. I read top fashion publications and watch runway shows from the major fashion capitols around the world and I never see young, black female designers. Nor, do I see young, black female designers who are designing affordable luxury collections. Some of the top young designers today who are known around the world are not black female designers. I wanted to be the person who changes that image. I want people in the fashion industry to see a different face of fashion. I chose fashion as my career path because of my love for clothes. I always loved experimenting with clothing and creating my own spin on trends.
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Copa: Who is your favorite designer and why?
Dur Doux: My favorite designer is Alexander McQueen. Alexander McQueen is my favorite designer because while his clothes are technically exquisite his collections, always have an appealingly eclectic and cutting-edge mix of tradition and punk, inspiring both individuals and the fashion world at large to push the boundaries of style. |
Alexander McQueen
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Copa: What continues to motivate you in your wonderful world of fashion?
Dur Doux: My motivation in life is creating a legacy that I can leave behind for my family for generations to come. I want to build an empire that my family can take over and continue to build upon it and make it larger and better. I am also motivated by helping other women and men in the fashion industry to reach their individual goals. When I work on photo shoots and other projects, I try to hire up and coming stylists, models, makeup artists, etc.
Dur Doux: My motivation in life is creating a legacy that I can leave behind for my family for generations to come. I want to build an empire that my family can take over and continue to build upon it and make it larger and better. I am also motivated by helping other women and men in the fashion industry to reach their individual goals. When I work on photo shoots and other projects, I try to hire up and coming stylists, models, makeup artists, etc.
For more information on Dur Doux:
https://www.durdoux.com/
~Copa!