Today, I turned 21 and Dirgy turned 1. I do not even know where to begin. This past year has been so exciting and busy. A year ago, the Dirgy Facebook page had less than 200 likes, today we have over 800. However, Dirgy has not only been around for a year. I started it junior year in high school with my best friend, Blaine Bunn. He helped me with everything from designs to the vision of Dirgy. I was hand screen-printing t-shirts in my basement and selling them at school.
When I came to VCU freshman year I met an awesome group of people. We went to our first Richmond artwalk where my friend Nick Smith noticed a store called Turnstyle. We went in and he mentioned how awesome it would be if Dirgy was sold there, I couldn’t agree more, but I dismissed it thinking that it was far-fetched. Nick took the initiative and talked to Joanna Oremland for me about getting Dirgy in the shop. We met with Joanna that week and she immediately set up a purchase order. I brought all my screen printing equipment to VCU and printed the order in my dorm room in GRC II. My roommate (and now current roommate yet again), Cory Johnson, had to deal with shirts spread out all over the tiny room. Dirgy was then officially in a retail store. I then heard about a VCU fashion show called STRUT. I casually inquired about getting Dirgy in the show. Several months later after meeting with Caitlin Alfred and Karen Wilkes, Dirgy was a part of its first fashion show, and it was incredible.
Sophomore year: I wanted to take Dirgy to the next level. I wanted to do something big; I wanted Dirgy to be a legal business and a legitimate brand. I met with a good friend by the name of Sam Mull and we worked out a deal. On October 21, 2011, Dirgy became a legal business in the state of Virginia. None of what has happened in the past month would have been possible if it weren’t for Sam Mull. The following month I completely re-established Dirgy, as a brand. I designed the first line with a lot of input from my good friend and roommate at the time, Abdul Nur. By some miracle, I launched the first line in November.
Over this past summer, I contacted Ronnie Beale of Sophisticated-Ignorance.com, an online boutique dedicated to men’s accessories. Within two months, we had Dirgy a part of his online store. Ronnie has been absolutely amazing to work with. Also, towards the end of summer, I met a young lady by the name of Jazmin Tanner, who I soon found out was the behind-the-scenes manager of the STRUT Facebook page and was in-fact the one who passed my inquiry on to Caitlin and Karen. She has given me some great advice, help, and ideas with Dirgy; most importantly that I “wasn’t thinking big enough.” I picked up three members to the Dirgy team: Hassan Burke, Lamarr Townsend, and Darryl Sharp. Next thing I know, one of my favorite Hip-Hop artists, Black Cobain, from right here in VA posted a picture on Instagram wearing the Gentleman’s Club Crewneck sweater.
Aside from the excitement of Dirgy, this past year has been quite emotional, even though I try not to let it show. I have learned so much about myself and my surroundings. My mom and dad are the most amazing parents; even after giving them such a hard time in high school, they have supported me and my dream. My mom, raising five boys in a military family, is the most incredible woman ever. My dad has sacrificed so much for his family and is the hardest working man I have ever seen. I am so happy that he is finally getting some of the things he has always dreamed of. He sure is enjoying his new Harley! My brothers are an amazing group of guys, I am so thankful to have them to look up to. I am so grateful to be able to call myself a Wolfe. Mom, Dad, Gabe, Justin, Chris, and Brian, I love you all so much. Thank you for everything.
I am looking forward to my future and the future of Dirgy. We have barely even begun; I have a lot of work to do. Thank you to all who have supported me and my dream, you do not realize how much you mean to me. This is our brand.
We outchea. Wolf Head Gang.
-Andrew Wolfe
P.S. A special thank you to Brooke Nelson, Sabrina Chavez, Jennifer Burchette, and everyone else who have supported and/or helped me in any way. Thank you.