Eric Dickstein and Darrin Kenigsberg are denim whisperers.
"There is a certain language that goes on in the denim culture," says Dickstein, co-owner of Dutil Denim.
It’s a language he likes to think they are fluent in, having owned their popular, denim-exclusive boutique in Vancouver since 2006.
Now the duo is bringing their knowledge – and their brand – to Toronto. They’ve got their hands on a Queen Street location – just west of Bathurst – with plans to open in early March.
"At least in Canada, there doesn’t seem to be any other logical place to go," says Dickstein, of their decision to set up shop in Hogtown.
They plan to design a specific line of jeans for their grand opening, which will include, among others, a women’s high-waist, straight-leg jean.
Dickstein says they plan to stay true to being a specialty store, even as they look at opening up shops as far away as Japan.
"Some people go to their favourite store for a shirt or a pair of jeans but if you’re selling 50 other commodities how can you specialize?" says Dickstein. "I mean, if you want a bagel, you don’t go to a Chinese restaurant."
Dickstein says they want all kinds of customers, from the self-conscious shopper to the cocky diva, coming to their Toronto store.
"We want everybody," he says. "We may not get everybody, but we want everybody."
