PHOTOS: Your Winter in DURKL

November 25, 2008 by Sam  Send to a Friend

all words and photos by Sam Goldstein

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After perusing the open house that DURKL put on this Sunday, I left the event with one distinct impression: these guys are officially in the business of keeping me warm. Too often, as the winter months approach, I find myself struck by the great paradox that has single-handedly skewed the world of fashion and design, the three words that transcend logic or debate and unapologetically impact all of our lives. Those words? “Fashion over Function.” However frightening or difficult it may be for you to talk about this, it seems that DURKL has finally brought to an end this reign of terror. As I dug through their colorful new offerings of hats and jackets in their upstairs studio, it became more and more apparent to me that the minds at DURKL had solved an international crisis that had plagued humans for centuries.

I have long fought personal battles with myself, trying to find the will and courage to stand up against these conventions and wear clothing that was completely and totally weather-appropriate. Why must my personal comfort and warmth be sacrificed as I am forced to wear a flattering, yet poorly insulated, blazer out on a February night instead of a comfy down parka? Why did the forefathers of this country, individuals as great as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, feel so pressured by fashion that they actually had to powder their wigs every day and wear 19-piece suits to work that they had to start putting on the night before? In the history of man, there have only been a handful of individuals who have transcended this common law, The Dude, from The Big Lebowski, being the most inspirational example. Very few others have managed to break their chains in such a way.

Although taking all of this in may be a little shocking or difficult, I want you to know that, as of today, there is hope. The pioneers at DURKL have engineered a new technique of garment making that has finally consolidated the great schism that existed between fashion and function. With the new DURKL beanies, I can now comfortably keep my head warm without worrying about hostile stares or disapproving sneers on the street. No longer do I need to fear getting punched in the face simply for wearing too many layers. DURKL’s new line of jackets will finally allow me to look good, wear something incredibly metallic, and avoid frostbite, all with one outfit. In my entire life, I have never heard of anything quite as radically functional as meeting all three of those needs at one time.

Yes, it seems there are many wonderful revolutions coming out of the DURKL workshop. Their hard work saves more and more lives every single day, but they need your help. Next time you’re getting ready to go out and you see that sweater your grandmother knit for you in the 7th grade on the floor of the closet, don’t just leave it there. Pick it up, put it on, and go look in the mirror. Is it bulky and unshapely? Yes! Does it fit you well; do the colors flatter your complexion? No. Do you care? NO YOU DON’T! DURKL may be doing a lot, but they can’t do it all by themselves. So go out there, buy some clothes (from DURKL), and finally feel okay about looking warm.

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