Dürk has a
simple mission
To create your favourite pair of shorts. Hand stitched and made with 100% cotton fabric, Dürks embody quality and comfort. The use of Kenyan Kikoy paired with a sturdy twill cotton makes for a dependable broek with a lovely splash of colour.
Dürks are also ethically manufactured. We have partnered with Sisters in Design (SiD) as our manufacturing specialists. The design house is run by Sisters, Susan Hendricks and Benjunita Blouw, located in Gordons Bay. We have worked together on all Dürks manufactured since 2022. Their attention to detail and many years of experience make them the reliable, obvious choice.
Durks Story
Dürk began as an idea in 2019: Why not make shorts using kikoy as the foundation? The Kenyan fabric held a
personal significance for me, as my family had lived in Kenya, and I was fortunate enough to experience the
country firsthand, where I fell in love with the vibrant kikoy fabric.
The concept had been on my mind for some time but was finally set in motion with the simple question, “How hard
can it be?” The answer: very hard.
I started with a few sheets of kikoy sourced from local vendors in Nairobi and managed to sketch and sew a basic
pair of shorts. However, my first sample lasted only about 10 minutes before the seams gave way. “Not the best
start,” I thought.
Despite the setback, I felt driven to prove something. I wanted to create a remarkable pair of shorts, yet I was
far from achieving that goal. I also noticed a decline in the quality of kikoy fabric, which made sourcing the
right material even more challenging.
Eventually, Dürk evolved. The next iteration combined kikoy with hemp, preserving the softness and vibrant colors
of kikoy as an accent while using durable hemp fabric for the main construction. Hemp provided a stronger weave,
making the shorts sturdy enough to withstand the wear and tear expected from a favorite pair. The kikoy added the
distinctive “Dürkness” to the design.
The final, current version of Dürk marks a return to form. Keeping the softness of kikoy and the durability of
hemp, we ultimately decided that a twill cotton fabric would be the best option.
Today, Dürks are made entirely from 100% natural cotton. They now have the perfect balance of style, comfort, and
durability, creating the ultimate “go anywhere, do anything” garment.
The journey has been one of patience, persistence, disappointment, and reward. Along the way, more and more people
became intrigued by the brand.
Why?
Because Dürks are unique. They are the result of collaboration between friends, creatives, pragmatists, and
determined supporters. Dürk is greater than the sum of its parts, and every contribution reflects that truth.
embrace different
embrace dürk
Founder, Dirk Bonnema