David Rodriguez

Frees the Feminine Spirit

The road to David Rodriguez' first collection began at the age of four when his mother inadvertently started him on his way. "I clearly remember my mom in a bright green jumpsuit with silver Lurex flowers trimming the neck and waist, wearing a silver-streaked wig that completed the look. I just thought it was amazing! I always ask her to show me that picture whenever I'm home."

David grew up near Palm Springs in Indio, known as Southern California's "City of Festivals." Being Mexican gives David a sense of culture and heritage that influences his creative aesthetic. His family was always involved in holiday productions like Cinco de Mayo parades and traditional Mexican Christmas pageants called posadas, which called for great costumes.

From an awestruck four-year-old to the only eighth grader with a Vogue subscription, it was always clear that fashion would be a part of David's life. He was the only guy in his high school sewing club and couldn't imagine pursuing anything but fashion design as a career. A small scholarship from the Homemakers of America helped David attend his college of choice, FIDM. He enrolled in the Fashion Design Program and came to Los Angeles a mere three days after his high school graduation. The sudden shift from a small town to the fast-paced city was definitely a shock to his system, but David adjusted quickly and embraced his new, exciting life at FIDM.

Right after graduating from FIDM in 1988, David started designing his own line of men's shirts. Fred Segal, Ralph Davies, and Bullocks carried the beautiful, expensive shirts. Frustrated by the conservative nature of the men's market, Rodriguez decided to close after two years. "I realized I should have followed my heart and done women's wear."

David decided if he was going to get experience in the women's wear market, it would have to be from the very best. He sent his resume to Richard Tyler, successfully interviewed, and was hired as an assistant designer. "That truly was an amazing experience! I learned so much about fabric and fit." At the end of his first year, a position in marketing and sales opened and David took the opportunity to learn the business side of the industry.

After three years at Richard Tyler, David was ready for the next level. Keeping his sights on the best, David began working for CHANEL in New York. "I started as a freelance consultant and then went on board full-time as a ready-to-wear coordinator-talk about learning from the best!" At CHANEL, David traveled the country with each collection and learned the various U.S. markets. Through this experience he was able to meet the most important people in this industry-the clients. This exposure proved to be invaluable for his future.

David's ultimate dream was to have his own design business. A supportive partner with the same first name (David Goodrowe) helped him make it a reality by taking on the business side of the design venture. In October 1997 the first collection debuted. David & David attribute their success to a balanced partnership. As David G. explains, "It's important to let a creative person be creative." His strength lies in sales and finance, so he manages those aspects of the company. That frees up David R. to focus his energy on designing beautiful clothes.

In those early years, David & David worked in a very cramped one-bedroom apartment in New York City with Ellis (their cat) as the main observer. Needless to say, with racks of clothes, a cutting table, and a cat in a one-bedroom apartment, space was at a premium and it soon came time to move into a studio space. After a series of moving adventures and growing pains, they are now settled in a studio and ready for steady, substantial growth.

For every season, they create a story to build the clothes around. For fall, the theme was "A youthful heiress who inherits a palazzo in Venice and uses everything within its walls to create her wardrobe." From the fictional palazzo's painting by Italian master Giambattista Tiepolo came a gorgeous hand-painted kimono. They collaborated with a restoration company that recreates frescoes and old master paintings for interiors to create the breathtaking garment worthy of hanging in a museum. For a skirt inspired by the palazzo's Venetian patterned walls, they worked with an artist who specializes in hand-marbled silk. It is this love of unique artistry that elevates David's collections beyond the competition. "Women want to look special when they walk into the room for an occasion. Our clothes make her stand out." David Rodriguez is currently offered in fine retailers in the United States & Canada such as: Hirshleifers, Jacobsons, Nordstrom, and Hugo Nicholson.

Of course, it wasn't long before Hollywood caught the David Rodriguez buzz! Actress Kirsten Dunst wore a sumptuous David Rodriguez dress to last year's SAG Awards. David's exquisite black rooster-feather jacket graced two magazine covers last year, on singer Toni Braxton for In Style and on actress Brook Langton for Movieline.

That's just the beginning! Clothes with the David Rodriguez label have appeared in ads and features in a bevy of publications. Keep an eye out for David Rodriguez's designs on your favorite celebrities!

David's exceptional talent certainly hasn't gone unnoticed by the fashion world, either. In February 1999 he won the Moet & Chandon Designer Debut Award; in September 1999, he was a Gold Coast Award nominee; and in January 2000, he was named as a Rising Star Award nominee for Fashion Group International.

Recently David & David visited FIDM to share their experiences and show their fall collection. The friendly, enthusiastic duo inspired everyone with their ardor for the fashion industry and their business. Students won't go wrong by taking David's advice: "Immerse yourself in the industry environment! Do swatching, costing, whatever you can do. It's all about learning as you go. Help out backstage on fashion shows at big events like New York's and L.A.'s Fashion Weeks. The key is to get out there and get experience!"