Ariel and Shimon Ovadia of Ovadia & Sons
Who they are: Twin brothers Ariel and Shimon Ovadia scored their first jobs in the fashion industry when they were just 14 years old, ticketing clothing for their father's children's-wear label, Magic Kids (magickidsusa.com), which was started out of the back of the family station wagon in Flatbush. Fast-forward 15 years, and the dapper duo, now 29, run their own menswear line, founded in August 2011. Since they have no formal fashion training, the pair draws on years of real-world experience working for the family business. It's no surprise that the twosome are partners: They've been inseparable all of their lives, sharing a childhood bedroom, then an apartment in Manhattan, and they now live just a few blocks apart. "It's shouting and yelling, and we know in 20 minutes we have to sit back down and get over it," divulges Shimon, who admits they're both very opinionated when it comes to running their company. "We're doing this because we love it more than anything else," he adds.
About the line: The Ovadias' timeless collection appeals to the debonair man of any age. "There is a lot of old-world influence," says Shimon. "We borrow from the past and make modern updates with fit and fabric." The luxurious, well-tailored pieces range from classic silk ties ($85–$195) and crisp cotton button-downs ($165–$450) to bespoke suits ($1,995–$4,500). The Brooklyn natives are passionate about supporting U.S. manufacturing, sourcing natural cotton and silk from local mills and making the majority of their clothing in the Garment District and East Williamsburg. Next up: The brothers plan to launch an exclusive collection for Barneys in fall 2012.
Where to buy:Bloomingdale's(1000 Third Ave between 59th and 60th Sts; 212-705-2000, bloomingdales.com) and Barneys New York(660 Madison Ave at 61st St; 212-826-8900, barneys.com)
