Ask The Duckies: May 17, 2024
Just think of us as an alternate version of Dear Abby or Ann Landers. I realize most of you might not know who they were - so Google them......
Thank you to everyone who wrote to us with questions. Below are our unvarnished answers.
Q: I’m curious how you started in the fashion world and how you met your partner! How did the adventure begin?
When I was 15, I saw Duran Duran’s Rio video and was gobsmacked. I couldn’t believe it. The fashion. The beauty. From then on, I knew I had to somehow be involved in that world. I hadn’t really been interested in art, drawing, or painting before that. So I signed up for Art A-level as a fill-in course, got a really high grade, and realized I was actually good at it. That led to me doing a foundation course in art and design at Hertfordshire College of Art & Design, which led to my BA (Honors) degree in fashion and textiles at Liverpool in the UK. Upon completion of my degree, a friend of mine was coming to work in New York and asked me to go with her. I did not hesitate. On February 4, 1991, I arrived in New York for a month, and I’m still here— 33 years later.
In the summer of 1992, after renting a house in Fire Island (in Fair Harbor, NOT The Pines) with my friends, I met a handsome man on the beach, Daniel. We started dating, and we’ve been together ever since.
I worked as a waiter for a few months and eventually got a job as an assistant to Sal Cesarini through a friend. Over the next ten years, I worked as a designer at many American companies, including Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, and Theory. But I always wanted to have my own company and line.
So, in 2001, Daniel and I decided to jump into the abyss and create our own collection while still working full-time jobs.
Q: Are you looking for interns?
Currently, we are not looking for interns, but we are always happy to meet with students and offer all of our wisdom and guidance. Email daniel@duckiebrown.com if you want to connect with us. We have had many, many interns in the past, so this is our chance to shoutout Tashi, David, Theo, Beth, Jesse, Millie, Two Left Hands, and many more.
Q: In love with your fit. I’m 70, fit, and love fashion…what’s the one item I should have for spring/summer…besides an exquisite white shirt like yours?
That’s the item you should have: an exquisite white shirt…paired with a lightweight, cotton, wide-legged pleated men’s tailored trousers in a neutral color, cream or khaki. We could, of course, make you both, but here are some other suggestions:
Charvet Shirt: If you want something beautiful, expensive, Paris, gorgeous. Charvet is the best shirt to buy off the rack.
Brooks Brothers BOYS - I tell everyone to go to Brooks Brothers and check out the boy’s section for shirts. The button-down shirts are the best - and much cheaper than what you’ll find in the women’s or men’s sections. The fit is great - not too baggy, and they last a while….I mean, it’s a white shirt. It’s not a piece for life - rather a piece for now. A white shirt has a short shelf life.
Khaite Teyana Trousers in Bone - Exactly what was just described.
Q: Are there things you should wear if you’re over 40? Or shouldn’t?
Your age or size should not limit what you wear. Make decisions based on what makes you feel good and what you think looks the best. Dress for yourself, not for others.
Q: Where do you get all of your sunglasses?
We love all of Pheobe Philo’s sunglasses, especially the Bombé. We also love the selection at Caserta Eye in the West Village. Readers.com has great options if you need something prescription. Duckie often goes for a sportier look with Rudy Project. My signature, though, is a pair of Martine Rose.
Q: Why do women’s shirts and jackets do up on one side and men’s jackets and shirts the other way?
First of all, it’s ridiculous that, at this point, there isn’t just one way for all shirts. But we believe it’s because wealthy women in a time gone by always had some dressing them. So they did the buttons “backward” so it was easier for the person dressing them to do up the shirt.
Q: Can you wear running shoes or sneakers to a wedding?
This is where Duckie and I disagree. I am very formal, which, interestingly enough, I learned from him (funny how that’s changed). So, I say absolutely not. The only time it is permissible to wear sneakers to a wedding is if you are suffering from a foot issue. If you’re well, opt for a beautiful pair of Stubbs and Wootton needlepoint slippers.
….Where I do become inappropriate is believing you can wear shorts, short shorts, to a wedding. However, they must be in black and make a suit, like in the photos below.
Q: Why is everyone obsessed with the naked dress look?
Oh, I don’t know. But here’s what comes to mind whenever I see someone dressed in one of those gowns. First, I always think of Kate Moss in her sheer dress. That’s always my first reference. She started it all.
Second, is that the fabric of these gowns is always really exquisite. They’re always beautiful, shiny, beaded, embellished, embroidered. And your skin becomes a part of the fabric, too. A few years ago, we made a “naked” apron gown, and I always get this fantastical feeling whenever I wear it. You’re naked, but you have a beautiful thing on. It’s naughty, and you just want to show off!
You rarely ever see men wearing this trend, which is why we are excited to be making a pair of trousers for one of our loyal clients, Frank, in this amazing sequin see-through fabric. More to come!
Q: Do you believe that clothing should be categorized as male or female, or should all clothing be lumped together, and customers sort through it and decide for themselves what they feel is appropriate for them to wear?
We believe that all clothing is for everyone. We don’t design for males or females. We design for people. We let our customers decide what speaks to them from the collection.
Q: What size range do you design for, do you ever consider designing garments specifically for plus size?
We actually don’t put sizes on our garments. I think there is a misconception that because we design oversized garments, we are designing for a larger customer. And that’s not true. We design clothes for everybody, and we let our customers decide how they want the clothes to fit—oversized or skin-tight. We serve customers ranging from 0 to XXXL.
Until next time….
xoxoxo
The Duckies