Interview: DuaneNYC
By Vain at 14 August, 2008, 7:36 pm
I finally got a chance to interview Sal who happens to be part owner & designer for the clothing brand DuaneNYC. I have previously worked with the brand, and it’s highly expected in my opinion that DuaneNYC will become that line that everyone will be talking about. Wait & Watch!
When did you start designing? I took design classes at RISD in 2002.
What’s the inspiration, idea, and or theme behind your upcoming seasonal release? The fall 08 line is called “The Fall of New York”. Our goal is to comment on our surroundings, and hopefully provoke a response from it. Being a design student I have always been taught that the response that a design provokes is just as important as the idea behind it.
Where do you think you would be right now if you weren’t designing? In the unemployment line.
Where does your overall inspiration come from? My surroundings. Being a native New Yorker, I think I’ve gotten a good perspective of city and what it has to offer.
How long have you been designing? Do you have a team? & what’s everyone’s role in the designing process? I do all of the designs for Duane, but 2 partners have as much creative input as I do.
What designers or artist of any kind do you admire and why? Chuck Close. His portrait work is pretty crazy.
Has film or television inspired any ideas for your brand? Our society and more specifically my generation on the whole is pretty influenced by the media. So I’d say yes: to some extent, if not subconsciously.
How does music influence your designing process? My music is a big part of my life.
How does your clothing brand define streetwear fashion? I don’t know if we’re at the point where we’re “defining” streetwear fashion. But I think we’re moving in a really good direction. Being a part of a market saturated with a lot of corny designs, I work hard to keep things new and interesting.
What genre of music fits your brand style? I wouldn’t say any music fits out brands style. If you can relate to our product, then you fit our brands style.
Speaking of music what are you currently listening to? Blackstar and Bone Thugs
Streetwear brands acknowledge men but why do they ignore the fact that women wear just as much urban wear as men? I think males have related to this genre a little more. There are definitely brands that are starting to acknowledge females in a successful way. (M.O.B, Hellz Bellz)
What does your signature logo define? It’s about standing out.
Where do you see your clothing brand in the next 5 years? We’re taking this one year at a time. We’ve had some great growth in the past year. Our first season, we were sold in one store (Atmos). Now, 2 seasons later we’re distributed in 7 locations in NYC and the Hamptons. A flagship would be great.
Are there any other brands you would like to collaborate with? We have discussed collabs with some brands. We may add a last minute collaboration to this line, but I’m not gonna share the brand until it happens.
Do you have any advice for young entrepreneur’s? The amount you put in, is the amount that you get out. I’m not gonna lie and say “anything you put your mind to”. But if you have talent, why not try.
Any last words before we close out the interview? Buy Duane! We Nice : )
I love this guy. Don’t know him, but what I’ve seen of his stuff, I like.
I have 5 of their tees. I absolutely love DUANE NYC…… whoever designs the tees are genius.
He is so sexy.