We got a chance to interview Rufskin owner Douglas about the brand. We are really excited to bring you this interview. We know they are a favorite of many of you guys. Here’s more about Rufskin that you may or may not know. See some of the new collection pics below
Can you tell our readers about how you founded Rufskin? The company started in January of 2002 moonlighting with our full times jobs at the time and about a year later became our main focus. The name Rufskin was thought up from a popular childhood denim brand that I have fond memories of mixed with Hubert’s thoughts on the juijitz Brazilian term “casca grossa” or “rough skin” all tied together with the ram head logo that represents his horoscope sign, Aries.
How did you come up with the “vintage, sexy, masculine, athletic and futuristic” design principle? LOL…we realized that the words vintage and futuristic are sort of an oxy moron so let’s just say that we created the RUFSKIN brand to provide a range of clothing that didn’t exist at the time. Our objective was to bring some unique, yet comfortable styles to express a culture and a lifestyle. We often get inspired by a film or a destination we travel to or a sexy person and then incorporate them into our designs.
You create so many great styles hot and sexy styles, what is your inspiration for each collection? It really does depend on where we have visited or what passed through our lives at the time be it a particular movie, cinematic hero or the rugged American West, it really just depends.
Rufskin does Denim, Swimwear, Underwear and Active wear, which is most fun to design and which is the most challenging? Hubert Pouches being the head designer and my partner would most likely say that he puts the same amount of energy into a small bikini brief that he does a pair of denim jeans. It is all about the correct fit with us so technical design details are important. Getting a pair of denim pants to fit perfectly can be a challenge but in the end we make sure your rear looks perfect!
I have heard good things about the new swimwear line, when will it be out and what can we expect? The Rufskin 2014 Swimwear collection is slated to launch early in the New Year. The line is titled “Kaleidoscope”, and incorporates a mélange of styles from classic to daring, that will surely offer something for any style-minded, modern man. All the essential cuts, from bikini to board short are covered, while a multiplicity of colors, from elegant basics to flashy brights and bold prints keep the options wide open.
Your photography is always creative, with styling, models and props, where do the ideas come from for the shoot? People often ask us about our models and how we chose them? We have a very particular image that we try to capture with our models but they have to look approachable and reflect the focus of our concept. The same goes for our locations. We have concentrated recently in the State of California for locations, and much like our models there is a lot of diversity here that allows for lot of inspiration.
Retail stores have been in LA and NYC (I think that’s right), but saw you are opening a Miami store, what made you branch out to Miami? You forgot Amsterdam too. They opened their doors about a month after the NYC boutique in the spring of 2012. Miami is scheduled to open in early January 2014 and we feel that it meshes the best of beach culture and sculpted bodies in one colorful city. Rufskin is about looking and feeling good so we believe that it will reflect our clothing nicely.
What is in the future for Rufskin? The future? We are busy trying to get through 2013!! We don’t have any firm plans other than continuing to create well-designed sexy clothing for men.
Rufskin continues to manufacture their entire collection in California.
Douglas Coats
President
Rufskin
