We created DuetteNYC because we wanted more.
We created DuetteNYC because we wanted more.
We created DuetteNYC to empower and uplift women, including ourselves. And, we wanted more.
More from the clothing brands with whom we've spent so much of our hard-earned money over the years.
More awareness, attention, and action from these companies to be more sustainable.
More community and connections with women who also want more.
We wanted more, so we started Duette NYC to provide more. See how it all started in our story below.
Co-Founder & CEO, Chief Creative Director, Architect
Leslie
I got a call from my friend, Diane, “I need your help!”. My first instinct was, “Of course, anything, is everyone ok?” ...“I need pants!” After recovering from my laughter, we got to work. I studied architectural engineering in college and have built several buildings in NYC.
Early in that path I felt the pull to pursue my love for fashion, and so, following my dream, went on to build a career in fashion as a Creative Director and Designer, making pants and tops for women - curvy women, tall women, petite woman, women of all ages and lifestyles.
Tapping into my background in architecture, I tailor clothing with silhouettes that make every woman look their best and have designed and sold well over 3,000,000 pairs of pants over the last 20 years for major brands including Lauren Ralph Lauren, Anne Klein, Jones New York and Perry Ellis. Working with Diana to re-invent the perfect go-to black pants was an essential first step. We decided that while we were at it, we would develop the fabrics using sustainable and recycled resources to embrace a more positive conscious lifestyle.
Co-Founder, Head of Research, Design and Technology
Diane
The original idea for Duette NYC came from my need for pants! Pants that not only fit my lifestyle, but also my changing body. After 20+ years on Wall Street, I'm now selling technology for a leading financial technology company. I'm always on the go.
Over the last few years, all of the pants in my closet, that at one time treated me like a great friend, had become my arch enemy. I was in denial that my body had changed but the demands of my busy life as a mother, wife and professional woman had not.
Adding to my frustration, even when I found the perfect pair of leggings or a beautiful fitting crew neck or jacket, I wouldn’t be able to find them again (a typical experience in today’s world of fast fashion).
Searching for flattering, classic, go-to comfortable pants and tops was time consuming and exhausting - so I decided to make my life, and others, a little easier, stress free and happier. To do this, I called on my good friend and fellow mom to make this a reality.
