Following their recent appearance on ABC’s Shark Tank in April of this year, Dapper Boi cofounders (and couple) Vicky and Charisse Pasche had a lot of feedback to sort through.
The Pasches say they’ve “been doing a lot of self-reflection” since the TV appearance and have “been forced to grapple with critiques. While we’ve taken many of them to heart, and we’re grateful for the learning opportunity, there are two criticisms that just don’t sit well with us — [that Dapper Boi] is just another clothing company, and that we need to stay in our LGBTQ+ niche.”
The couple, who founded the progressive clothing business in 2015, says the bigger picture of what Dapper Boi represents may have been lost on some of the show’s mainstream audience.
A Dapper Boi model giving us life
The Dapper Boi dancers pose for a group photo during the video shoot
“It’s hard to run a successful family-owned business, but it’s even harder when people still don’t understand that what we’re trying to accomplish goes beyond clothing,” the couple says. “We’re not just trying to change the way we view fashion, we’re trying to change the way we view each other. We are all people, beyond labels and categories. The cultural biases that divide us impact each of us individually and they shape entire industries.”
“That’s why we’re beyond excited to share this video with you,” they add. “This video is more than just a return to our fun, lighthearted roots. It’s a declaration: Dapper Boi is for everyone, regardless of body type, style preference, or gender. What better way to symbolize our ‘movement’ than through dance?”
The Dapper Boi founders say they “firmly believe that what matters most is feeling at home in your own skin, feeling like you’re being seen and accepted not for what you are, but who you are. And while clothing may not be the answer, it’s certainly a catalyst. Clothing that fits our authentic selves can imbue confidence, inspire change, and help us show up in the world at our best.”
Dapper Boi cofounder Vicky Pasche explains her frustrations with gendered clothing in the new video
Vicky Pasche gives wife Charisse a smooch before filming
While Dapper Boi’s comfortable and stylish designs are a godsend for many gender-nonconforming folks, the Pasches say the clothing line is for everyone, regardless of gender identity.
“We've even heard from straight cis men, frustrated by lifelong shopping struggles, and femme straight women wanting to rock their true style that goes beyond the norm,” say the lesbian moms. “These stories transcend age, race, gender — they underscore our shared desire for acceptance and authenticity.”
Dancers rehearsing for Dapper Boi's new music video
Check out the video below, which features “dancers in the video of all stripes — regardless of gender, race, body type, size.” Dapper Boi also wants you to join in the fun too. To share in its vision for “a future free from the confines of antiquated shopping experiences, [Dapper Boi] asks that you SHARE this video, help us continue to break the fashion binary, and spread the word about the power of self-expression through clothing.”
