 
Fashion at the Speed of Light
By Adam Zoblotsky/Founder Retail Punk
This November marks 30 years of fashion history for a Dallas Landmark. It’s 3 decades strong for H.D.’s clothing company, located in the heart of the M Streets on Greenville Avenue. Harry and Vicki DeMarco not only partners in life, but in business as well. Separated into two stores Vicki works from the women’s store and Harry from the men’s. The fascinating part about the relationship is that all buys are mutual. If one of them says no, it’s not bought. It’s been a great model and it works.
As for disclosures sake, I have been a “H.D.’s groupie” for over 20 years. What first hooked me was the subtle and sometimes not so subtle way about the store. I knew before going in that something would be walking out with me but, what wasn’t known was what I would learn in the process. If you are lucky enough to go in on a day DeMarco is working the store, boy are you in for a treat. My only advice is to keep quiet, listen and learn. What you will first witness is someone that truly has an appetite for fashion with a hunger that after a few minutes you will have as well. Often it’s difficult to see a pant or a shirt come to life when it’s on the hanger. Within just a few seconds the way DeMarco tosses a shirt onto a flat display case followed by a pant and the perfect belt…It’s like viola and the outfit dances to a life of its own.
Sometimes referred to as, “Father of Dallas Contemporary Fashion”, DeMarco see’s himself more as an “educator”. Teaching Dallas about style is exactly what he has been doing and doing extremely well.
When asked what makes H.D.’s Retail Punk?
“It’s a different type of operation. You’re not looking at 30 of the same shirt--- you want it you buy it. And you better, because it won’t stay shelved long.”
The appetite for fashion that Harry often speaks about is a big one. Europe sees the DeMarcos multiple times per year. Once on the ground DeMarco reveals, “I’m like a horse that can’t get out of the barn fast enough...drop bags at the hotel then off to see what’s hot.” Asked why he travels so much, “ I don’t know what’s there without going and I can’t depend on a swatch or a picture… I have to touch and see the stitching in person”. Ultimately the product is taken out of that realm into product presentation into their Dallas stores.
Coming up on the 30th anniversary, DeMarco reflected about the moment he and Vicki decided to go for it. Celebrating their one year wedding anniversary, they both had the experience and passion but disliked their corporate work in the fashion business. Sixty-four days later they were in business. Think that’s fast? Their approach to fashion is even quicker. For those Texans needing some Italian brush up “Pronto Uomo” (the term used to describe instant fashion) the product is ready to be bought with no waiting. From Italy to Paris, the DeMarco’s hand select each item and actually boxes the product right up. And they do that 5 times per year. Sometimes the product gets to the store before they are even unpacked from their trip. On the horizon for HD’s is their annual sale at the end of June. Then it’s back to the skies with a trip to New York, Paris then Florence.
When asked what he likes:
Dining-
Café Pacific
24 Highland Park Village
Dallas, TX 75205-2729
www.cafepacificdallas.com
Health and Beauty-
Spa at the Crescent
400 Crescent Court
Dallas, TX 75201-1838
www.crescentcourt.com
Home and Décor-
Robb & Stucky Interiors
8687 North Central Expressway
Dallas, TX 75225-4570
(214) 360-3200
The H.D.’s philosophy can be summed up in short-- present a product that’s not available throughout the U.S.…They find the products that people can’t find.
Retail Punk’s advice is to get to the store quickly; your fashion is probably being bought as you read!
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