Ouigi Theodore facts for kids
Ouigi Theodore is an American fashion designer and stylist. He is best known for his menswear brand called Brooklyn Circus. In the late 2000s and early 2010s, many people also knew him as "The Bearded Man" because of his unique facial hair.
Early Life and Education
Ouigi Theodore was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, around 1975 or 1976. When he was eight years old, his family moved to Crown Heights, Brooklyn, in New York. His mother passed away when he was 15. After that, his aunt and grandmother raised him. His aunt traveled a lot, and Ouigi followed her example, exploring places in Europe and Asia.
Theodore went to Brooklyn Technical High School. He later earned a History degree from Stony Brook University. He then studied graphic design at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Before starting his fashion business, he worked as a graphic designer and also promoted clubs. He had tried to start a clothing line called Race in 2003, but it was not successful.
Fashion Career
The first Brooklyn Circus store opened in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn, in 2006. It sold Theodore's designs under the BKc label. This brand was different from other popular streetwear brands at the time. It was described as a "house-of-prep" for city dwellers.
The name "circus" was chosen to show a disciplined and traveling community. It aimed to welcome everyone, including outsiders. It was not just for people who fit in with styles like baggy jeans or hip-hop sneakers. Theodore explained that his work was "retro-urban." He wanted to create clothes that were classic but also modern and cool.
By 2011, Brooklyn Circus had grown a lot. It had a second shop in San Francisco. Its clothes were also sold in Chicago, Stockholm, and 25 shops in Japan. Theodore became known for predicting fashion trends. Big companies like Hennessy, Toyota, and G-Shock asked for his advice.
In 2021, Theodore worked with Macy's on a special clothing line. It was called Sun + Stone. This collection was part of Macy's 'Icons of Style' campaign. This campaign featured Black American fashion designers. The Sun + Stone collection honored Theodore's family, especially his mother. It included military-inspired styles and numbers related to his mother's life.
The Bearded Man
In the 2000s, Ouigi Theodore grew a very unique beard. It was horizontal and looked a bit like the horn of an anvil. This beard became his special trademark. It led to his nickname, "The Bearded Man."
He used this name for his style blog. He was even featured as "The Bearded Man" in advertisements. These included ads for Bushmills, Citizens Bank, and a Tide TV commercial. In 2011, Theodore said that people would recognize him on the street as "The Bearded Man." He also modeled as "The Bearded Man" in a fashion magazine called Antenna. The magazine GQ also referred to him by this nickname.
