Compact company that went from a residing home to a storefront

HUNTSVILLE, Ala.- In 2014, Engineer Derrick Ramey Jr. started the “Dapperdude,” when he couldn’t find a bowtie in his cost range. So, he did what he normally did, engineered one himself. Now, the designer has his individual storefront in the coronary heart of Downtown Huntsville.

Since 2014, Ramey has expanded his company to substantially far more than just his signature bowtie, “I’ve been accomplishing lapel pins, pocket squares, and I also do styling for unique functions, weddings. If you want own styling, I do that as well.”

Ramey has a enthusiasm for manner and it reveals. Stylists from Hollywood have arrive to him for styling parts for their superstar clientele, from the crimson carpets of Hollywood to the streets of Huntsville. Persons can appear into the keep and pick up these one-of-a-variety signature parts and study how to model them.

“It’s been essentially pretty magnificent, people arrive in off the avenue, I can essentially speak to people, do consultations ideal in this article in my genuine business office, so it is been amazing,” Ramey said.

As a minority-owned small business, Ramey appreciates the influence he could have on the local community and when it will come to inspiring others. He is a partner and father of two so he begins with inspiring his young children.

“I generally start there, am I remaining a very good role design for them. Can I encourage them and train them how to mature, how to navigate this world, I consider which is the to start with commence in me remaining a position model for my real local community,” Ramey reported.

He focuses his talents and know-how on the youthful men in the community, “The younger fellas, how to gown, how to truly feel confident in what they are putting on, so which is ordinarily what I concentrate on when I consider about the group, just type of offering the kids self-confidence.”

The pandemic made 2020 a complicated year and Ramey claims with the aid of small enterprises in Downtown Huntsville he was capable to keep on being open up and improve.

But, the pandemic assisted him consider past the bowtie.

“Providing bags, delivering sweatshirts, giving genuine garments that folks can wear each day,” Ramey explained to Information 19, “We’re not out carrying out as many occasions so I want to provide factors that persons can don each and every working day or on their zoom phone calls.”

If you cannot make it to the retail store, you can shop online right here. The storefront at 101 Clinton Ave East, is open up from 12 pm-4 pm Wednesday via Friday. Dapperdude is open up for consultation appointments on Saturday and Sunday.