As 2023 draws to a close, it is a nice moment to look back on the highlights of the year and also learn some lessons from the low lights too. This year has been one of both success and of hardship, and that is how it goes. I feel I learn as much from both scenarios, as cliché as that sounds. In this world of social media, all we tend to see are the highlights, but behind the scenes there are many ups and downs to bring those highlights to fruition. That is the game of life I suppose. I feel like this year was a turning point for the brand. I have set it on a certain trajectory heading into the new year and am excited to see those plans come to fruition in 2024. I feel 2024 is going to be a big year for us and not just because I say it and it should be so, but because we’ve laid the foundation in 2023 and put in the work and will see it through, so it will be one. It is one thing to set goals, and it is quite another to have the follow through to see it through. But enough about that, let’s look back on this past year and the successes we did have. There were many changes afoot. Particularly the biggest was our move from Melrose to the Beverly Center. This was an exciting accomplishment and feat and I think brings a new set of eyeballs on the brand, as well as a nicer environment for our current customers to come and shop the collections. We also have more space with which to showcase the brand too. I am excited to bring even more interesting pieces to this space in the new year.

 
Another was the launch of our SURPLUS DANIEL PATRICK line, born out of my love of shopping surplus stores in Los Angeles and the inspiration those have always provided for me, although sadly my favorite one closed down a couple years ago. This brand is a vehicle to appeal to a wider market, and I am excited for its potential in 2024, as 2023 was more of a soft launch. I have some big plans and big ideas for the brand in 2024 and beyond! This also signaled our launch back into wholesale with some retailers signing on with more in the works. I look forward to partnering with some great retail partners on this project in the new year as well.

 
Another highlight was our Nissan and Nismo collection. This was a super last minute project that we pulled off in the nick of time before the LA Auto Show, and I think it came together nicely. I am excited to see where that partnership takes us in 2024.

 
Also going back to the beginning of the year was the launch of our New York Red Bulls MLS kit that will be worn next season, as well as this past season that just went by. This was an exciting time and an honor to team up with a major US sporting franchise in one of my favorite cities, New York, no less, as well as continuing our long standing partnership with adidas. It was great to see this come to fruition, as it was quite some time in the making. I am thrilled to continue an incredible partnership with them.

 
Lastly, I was excited to be a part of the NRL (Nation Rugby League) launch in Las Vegas. This is the sport I grew up playing in Australia and was the sport I was pursuing as a career before pivoting to fashion at the age of 20. So this was almost a full circle moment to be involved in some capacity with that. I feel I am the perfect person in that regard, since I hold both Australian and American citizenship and have lived here for over 12 years and still love and watch the sport from afar. I want to see that be a success over here and grow the sport even more!

 
Anyways, it has been a great year. I hope you enjoyed being a part of our success in 2023, and I am looking forward to 2024. I wish you all the success in your own endeavors in ’24 as well, and may all your wildest dreams come true!