Fresh from a venture with KISS frontman Gene Simmons, Vancouver clothing designer Jason Dussault is showing he can be as inventive as his world-famous former partner.
Dussault’s Dussault Apparel Inc. launched a two-year partnership with Simmons in 2007. (See “Vancouver clothier hoping for KISS of life” – issue 921; June 19-25.)
The partnership spawned leather goods, T-shirts and snowboard apparel – all bearing Simmons’ trademarked Money Bag logo – for two seasons.
“Going into and coming out of a recession, not too many people felt like wearing a Money Bag logo on their hat,” Dussault told Business in Vancouver on Monday.
So, the business alliance came to an end.
Dussault admires Simmons for creating not only brilliant music that has inspired millions of fans but also for creating a business empire that includes both KISS-branded condoms and KISS-branded coffins.
“Gene jokes that he gets you both coming and going,” Dussault said.
Dussault is now showing he can be as innovative as simmons.
He has recreated his business, which was originally famous for a Rocky Horror Picture Show-inspired store in Gastown where he would custom fit high-end customers for thousand-dollar hoodies.
“Dussault Apparel now does collaborations with all sorts of partners,” Dussault explained. “It will get my name out in front of people who normally wouldn’t see Dussault Apparel,” he said.
For example, Dussault has teamed up with boat manufacturer Centurion World Championship Towboats and boat dealer Breakwater Marine.
He has designed the upholstery and a multi-coloured wrap for one watercraft that will be unveiled February 9 through 13 at the Vancouver International Boat Show at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
“If you buy a boat at Breakwater, it can have a Dussault wrap attached to it if you want,” Dussault said.
“A revenue stream for Dussault Apparel will be designing and selling wraps through Breakwater.”