On the first warm, sunny day of spring the parade begins.  Men show off their newest bespoke suits in a procession stretching up and down Park Avenue - all shoulders, waist darts and tapered trousers.  In 2011, I was awestruck by this spectacle having, until recently, worked in SoHo who's resident style is downtown/hipster-chic in sweatshirts, tee-shirts and ripped denim. I was so awestruck, I quickly ran out to find my place in the Park Avenue suiting pantheon.  

For the price tag and all of the sartorial pomp and circumstance, to me there was an overlying tension; there was no movement, no fluidity.  It's as if my suit jacket's craft and tailor screamed for a freedom and flair that my straight trousers could not muster.   

As a typical New York City Spring goes, temperatures climbed to the 80's within a week and remained, rendering at least one-half of my bespoke suit unbearable.  The Park avenue sidewalks and outdoor lunch boîtes were barren that Summer. 

This begin my journey to find a fitting alternative to the inseam and a challenge to what is considered typical menswear and masculine identity. I struggled navigating the world of heavy wool tartans, the myriad of traditional accessories, visual messages of six-pack ab manliness and high-end but non-functional design. 

As an Industrial Designer, I tried to solve this problem by crafting my own skirts, with the guidance of my partner, an experienced fashion designer Josué Asselin-Bienvenue, and with the talents of local tailors. I was inspired by the tradition of the kilt, wanted to infuse my African heritage and craft a functional and beautiful garment that could be worn everyday by every man.  

We believe that design has the transformative power to shift perceptions, to tear down boundaries, and to enable genuine human expression. We believe that comfort, quality materials and fine tailoring can break barriers while respecting traditions.

And we believe that men look good in skirts.