[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false”][et_pb_row make_equal=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”1920px” custom_padding_tablet=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”||0px||false|false”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”margin:auto;”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”17px” custom_padding=”|0px|||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”||20px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”||20px||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet”]With a friendship spanning more than thirty years, Gold Coast mums Kiri-Moana Proctor and Amie Casey partnered up to create a universal shorts brand founded on family, friendship, and genuine passion.<\/p>\n
From the design of the shorts to the campaigns for good causes, everything the pair pours into DUKiES comes from the heart.<\/p>\n
Despite juggling young kids, busy households and a thriving business, family always comes first for both these mums, who wield an impressive entrepreneurial force between them.<\/p>\n
Having previously launched a successful children\u2019s clothing store in the UK, Duke of London, Kiri sold part of her business and established her big-hearted brand DUKiES on the Gold Coast with her bestie Amie.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted to continue being creative, make clothes for the boys and I wanted to do it with a business partner who was like family, and that was Amie,\u201d says Kiri.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ make_equal=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”1920px” custom_padding_tablet=”5px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”5px||||false|false”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/rsvp.mbgoldcoast.com.au\/emag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Snapseed-7-min-scaled.jpg” title_text=”Snapseed (7)-min” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ show_in_lightbox=”on” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”margin:auto;”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”17px” custom_padding=”|0px|||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”||20px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”||20px||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet”]The DUKiES duo don\u2019t fall short on championing kindness and supporting good causes, which they have intrinsically tied to their brand identity.<\/p>\n
Inspired by community connections and causes close to their hearts, the brand has launched several exclusive print campaigns, throwing their support behind Indigenous artist Derick Peachey with the Survival design, as well as creating awareness for Down syndrome, also known as Trisomy 21, with the 21\u2019s range.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe models with Down\u2019s syndrome who showcase the 21\u2019s range are a big part of our life, through family and friends,\u201d says Kiri.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur connection to the Survival print range comes from the fact that we both have M\u0101ori heritage, which plays a big part in it, and we also have connections to the Indigenous community through our professional footballer friends and family.\u201d[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row make_equal=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”1920px” custom_margin=”20px||20px||true|false” custom_margin_tablet=”5px||5px||true|false” custom_margin_phone=”0px||0px||true|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”0px||0px||false|false”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”margin:auto;”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”64px” text_line_height=”0.9em” header_3_font_size=”45px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”|60px||90px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”50px|20px|50px|20px|false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” header_3_font_size_tablet=”34px” header_3_font_size_phone=”25px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_css_before=”content:url(‘https:\/\/rsvp.mbgoldcoast.com.au\/emag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/StartQuote.png’);||font-family: ‘CorpAtotReg’,Helvetica,Arial,Lucida,sans-serif;||font-size:200px;||position:absolute;||left:-60px;||top:-70px;||color:rgba(88,88,88,0.41);||transform: scale(.7);” custom_css_after=”content:url(‘https:\/\/rsvp.mbgoldcoast.com.au\/emag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/endquote.png’);||font-size:200px;||font-family: ‘CorpAtotReg’,Helvetica,Arial,Lucida,sans-serif;||position:absolute;||right:-10px;||bottom:-70px;||color:rgba(88,88,88,0.41);||overflow: hidden;||z-index:-1;||transform: scale(.7);” locked=”off” custom_css_before__hover_enabled=”off|desktop” custom_css_before__hover=”font-size:250px;” custom_css_after__hover_enabled=”off|desktop” custom_css_after__hover=”font-size:250px;” custom_css_before_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_css_before_phone=”content:url(‘https:\/\/rsvp.mbgoldcoast.com.au\/emag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/StartQuote.png’);||font-family: ‘CorpAtotReg’,Helvetica,Arial,Lucida,sans-serif;||font-size:200px;||position:absolute;||left:-60px;||top:-60px;||color:rgba(88,88,88,0.41);||transform: scale(.3);” custom_css_before_tablet=”content:url(‘https:\/\/rsvp.mbgoldcoast.com.au\/emag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/StartQuote.png’);||font-family: ‘CorpAtotReg’,Helvetica,Arial,Lucida,sans-serif;||font-size:200px;||position:absolute;||left:-60px;||top:-70px;||color:rgba(88,88,88,0.41);||transform: scale(.4);” custom_css_after_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_after_tablet=”content:url(‘https:\/\/rsvp.mbgoldcoast.com.au\/emag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/endquote.png’);||font-size:200px;||font-family: ‘CorpAtotReg’,Helvetica,Arial,Lucida,sans-serif;||position:absolute;||right:-10px;||bottom:-70px;||color:rgba(88,88,88,0.41);||overflow: hidden;||z-index:-1;||transform: scale(.4);” custom_css_after_phone=”content:url(‘https:\/\/rsvp.mbgoldcoast.com.au\/emag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/endquote.png’);||font-size:200px;||font-family: ‘CorpAtotReg’,Helvetica,Arial,Lucida,sans-serif;||position:absolute;||right:-10px;||bottom:-50px;||color:rgba(88,88,88,0.41);||overflow: hidden;||z-index:-1;||transform: scale(.3);”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”1920px”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”margin:auto;”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”17px” custom_padding=”|0px|||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”||20px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”||20px||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet”]Celebrity influence has become a core component of DUKiES\u2019 marketing strategy. However, there\u2019s been no-out-of-pocket expenses, save for a few postage stamps.<\/p>\n
Aiming high, Kiri and Amie have sent their shorts to some prominent personalities who have chosen to wear them, which has helped the brand gain phenomenal traction in the celebrity space without any paid sponsorships.<\/p>\n
Some of the major stars that have been snapped wearing the shorts include NBA player Patty Mills, Ninja Warrior and NRL player Eloni Vunakece, personal trainer James Smith and Kardashian-related TV personality Scott Disick.<\/p>\n
The label has naturally picked up with celebrities while also making waves on the Gold Coast, where locals have resonated with the brand\u2019s vibrant, versatile, sporty and surfy vibe.<\/p>\n
DUKiES main point of difference is understanding that men need a pair of shorts that can be worn in various situations including work, gym, swim, party and play.<\/p>\n
The fabric, which is buttery soft, lightweight and quick dry, is extremely multipurpose, comfortable and ideal for people with tactile sensitivities, making the shorts popular for everyone, particularly among people with special needs.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got ten trendy designs in our original collection, and we\u2019ve found that most first-time buyers are coming back to buy other patterns to add to their DUKiES wardrobe,\u201d says Aime.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe universal style offers prints that cater for everyone including feminine, masculine, animal, dark and more.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur target market is primarily men, but woman love to wear them, and we have dabbled in women\u2019s swimwear so it\u2019s a component of the business where we have begun to see growth. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe choose patterns and designs we personally like \u2013 there is a bit of methodology behind it, but a lot of it is based on our instincts.\u201d[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/rsvp.mbgoldcoast.com.au\/emag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/PATTY-1.jpeg” title_text=”PATTY 1″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ show_in_lightbox=”on” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”1920px” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||||false|false” custom_css_main_element=”display: flex;||flex-wrap: wrap;”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_css_main_element_phone=”order: 2;” custom_css_main_element_tablet=”order: 2;”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/rsvp.mbgoldcoast.com.au\/emag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/0H3A8138.jpg” title_text=”0H3A8138″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ show_in_lightbox=”on” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”margin:auto;” custom_css_main_element_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_css_main_element_phone=”order: 1;” custom_css_main_element_tablet=”order: 1;”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”17px” custom_padding=”|0px|||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”||5px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone”]Despite the numerous prints available, our animal prints are a clear winner, consistently topping the sales charts.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone loves an animal print, it\u2019s pushing the boundaries, it\u2019s daring and it\u2019s never going out of fashion,\u201d says Kiri.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like I have a little premonition about what\u2019s going to be on trend, and I see things that other people don\u2019t, and it usually always ends up trending.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery year, we release an animal print style, and it has become the signature style.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re making something other people aren\u2019t brave enough to make for men, and it just so happens that when they put them on, men love them. \u201c<\/p>\n
There are big things on the horizon for the Gold Coast brand, including recently launching their range with the hugely popular Australian online fashion and sports retailer The Iconic, as well as an upcoming launch party for their summer collection at The Star Gold Coast.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a huge deal and we\u2019re still pinching ourselves,\u201d says Amie.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve hustled for it and when The Iconic outlined the reasons for wanting us on board, it was because of the 21\u2019s range and our models with Down syndrome, which really resonated with them.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fact that we are not a stereotypical label that uses \u2018perfect\u2019 models, which is exactly how we live our lives, was what made our brand stand out to The Iconic.\u201d <\/p>\n
With the authenticity of the DUKiES brand and the woman behind the shorts doing what they love, there\u2019s a good chance they won\u2019t be getting the short end of the stick when it comes to real and loyal supporters for years to come.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|on|off” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”17px” custom_padding=”|0px|||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”||20px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”||20px||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet”]Website: https:\/\/dukies.co\/<\/a> With a friendship spanning more than thirty years, Gold Coast mums Kiri-Moana Proctor and Amie Casey partnered up to create a universal shorts brand founded on family, friendship, and genuine passion. From the design of the shorts to the campaigns for good causes, everything the pair pours into DUKiES comes from the heart. Despite juggling […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4211,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[16,32],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4056","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-label","category-spring-2022"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rsvp.mbgoldcoast.com.au\/emag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4056","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rsvp.mbgoldcoast.com.au\/emag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rsvp.mbgoldcoast.com.au\/emag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rsvp.mbgoldcoast.com.au\/emag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rsvp.mbgoldcoast.com.au\/emag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4056"}],"version-history":[{"count":31,"href":"https:\/\/rsvp.mbgoldcoast.com.au\/emag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4056\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4627,"href":"https:\/\/rsvp.mbgoldcoast.com.au\/emag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4056\/revisions\/4627"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rsvp.mbgoldcoast.com.au\/emag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4211"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rsvp.mbgoldcoast.com.au\/emag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4056"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rsvp.mbgoldcoast.com.au\/emag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4056"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rsvp.mbgoldcoast.com.au\/emag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4056"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nFacebook: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DUKIESCO\/<\/a>
\nInstagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/dukiesco\/<\/a>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row make_equal=”on” disabled_on=”off|off|on” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”1920px” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” custom_css_main_element=”display: flex;||flex-wrap: wrap;”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”margin:auto;” custom_css_main_element_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_css_main_element_phone=”order: 1;” custom_css_main_element_tablet=”order: 1;”][et_pb_text disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”17px” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”|0px|||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”||20px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||20px||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet”]Website: https:\/\/dukies.co\/<\/a>
\nFacebook: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DUKIESCO\/<\/a>
\nInstagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/dukiesco\/<\/a>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"