WHAT’S THE STORY
DU4 shirts are available made-to-measure in the Mönchengladbach store, or – distributed by agents – as a collection at selected retailers in the DACH and Benelux markets. The brothers Emanuel and David Dufour are responsible for the DU4 brand, its online shop, and its brickand-mortar business.
DU4
THE PROFESSIONALS David Dufour and Emanuel Dufour are men’s shirt specialists in the best tradition and craftsmanship, but they have no intention of resting on their laurels. The brothers have recently developed an exclusive capsule that does not require any plastic packaging. Text: Nicoletta Schaper. Photos: DU4
Men’s outfitter and online shop – shirt specialist and tailor. DU4’s business rests on many pillars, of which its own shirt collection is definitely the most important. “We inherited our love for shirts from our father Claude Dufour,” says David Dufour. “At the age of two, we accompanied our parents to a fabric fair on Lake Como. That is one of our earliest memories, actually. The art of men’s fashion is a lifestyle for us and has accompanied us from the very beginning.” THE SECOND GENERATION
The Frenchman Claude Dufour has been working in the shirt business as a trained men’s tailor for more than 50 years now. 20 years ago he decided to launch his own shirt label. In 2009, Emanuel and David
Dufour took over the company and renamed it DU4. “We still stand for perfect fit, quality, and traditional craftsmanship in the shirt segment,” says David Dufour, who is responsible for design and sales. “In addition, we have optimised processes and modernised the concept with the aim of adapting it even more precisely to our customers.” Individuality is the term of the moment. After all, the brothers want a DU4 shirt to emphasise and enhance the personality of the wearer. A sophisticated fit, workmanship, and high-quality components, as well as fabrics sourced from Italy, Portugal, France, and England, contribute to this, as does the fact that many designs are created by the brothers themselves. Production takes place exclusively in Europe. At a mark-up of 2.7, retail prices remain within a comprehensible structure between 129 and 159 Euros. In addition, the brand offers an extensive NOS programme including fashionable seasonal pieces to satisfy the needs of its 120 retail partners in the German-language and Benelux countries. Among the partners are
Einwaller, Sagmeister, Perle Store Hamburg, and Select & Style Bochum. In order to further refine this sense for customer wishes, DU4 operates its own store in Mönchengladbach. “Here we are close to our customers and can also devote ourselves to custom-made pieces, which are becoming increasingly important in the course of individualisation,” says David Dufour. “In addition to our own collection, we also stock fashion by other specialists whose design language perfectly matches our own, such as Meindl, Dondup, Herno, or Circolo 1901. Like us, these brands do not stand still, but continue to develop with innovations.” In the case of DU4, the most important innovation is Soft Shirt, a capsule containing high-quality shirts with excellent washing properties. “We not only refined design, comfort, and workmanship, but also developed completely plastic-free packaging. The pieces are delivered in silk paper in a high-quality bag made of the same material as the shirt.” This is not just a shirt, but a haptic experience and a collector’s item. style in progress
197
