Cynthia and Najla Burt, the Washington, D.C.  mother-and-daughter team behind Dur Doux, create statement runway and ready-to-wear luxury pieces. We spoke to Najla about inspirations, business challenges, and advice she has for other talents.

To whom or what do you owe your inspiration for designing? And why the choice to pursue women’s-wear?

I chose fashion as my career path because of my love for clothes. As a youth growing up in Florida, I experimented with my own personal style as often as I could. I wore many different hair styles and hair colors and was very creative. I always loved experimenting with clothing and putting my own spin on the fashion trends of the moment.  I grew up watching my mother make clothes for my siblings and I would often accompany her to select fabric for the clothes she made for us. In addition, my aunt on my mother’s side received a degree in Fashion Merchandising and is an excellent seamstress. Furthermore, my grandmother worked for 25 years a major department store. You could say in some ways that fashion is in my blood. I feel that I was born to be a fashion designer.

The women in my family have been an integral part of my commitment and development as a fashion creative.  My mother is the VP/Co-Designer of my business and she assists me with the creative as well as the operational side of the business. My sister serves as the financial officer and my brother as the marketing consultant for Dur Doux. My entire family is invested in the growth of Dur Doux and they have worked diligently to see Dur Doux propel forward.

What are your greatest business challenges to date?

Establishing my own valid identity as a luxury fashion designer, not just a “black fashion designer,” and being taken seriously by the fashion industry establishment. I started my business because I wanted to see someone who looked like me design luxury clothing. I read top fashion publications and watched runway shows from the major fashion capitals around the world and I rarely saw young, black female designers. Nor do I see young, black female designers who were designing affordable luxury collections. I wanted to be the person who changed that world image. I want people in the fashion industry to see a different face of fashion.

Furthermore, obtaining adequate financial backing to operate a solid organizational structure and level up the capacity of the business.

What inspiration or advice would you pass on to an emerging designer, eager to follow in your footsteps? 

First, I would say you find a great business partner and don’t let them go. This is paramount. Find someone who will invest the same blood, sweat and tears as you; a sounding board for ideas; someone you can implicitly trust. My business partner is my mother and I trust her with everything.

Second, you must have a source of positivity and encouragement to remain positive, stay committed, and believe in what you do. There are so many fashion brands and the fashion industry is a huge, hostile beast that constantly confronts you with obstacles for you to overcome. Being a designer is hard, grueling, [and] most times thankless work.

Third, never dwell in comparison. This has been a big one for me. Comparison is a business killer and the thief of joy. Instagram makes it so easy to look at what your competitors or complementary brands are doing and wonder why you’re not there yet. The most successful designers realize how dangerous this is and instead focus on what their brand is doing to create real value for their customers.

durdoux.com

IG: @dur_doux