Beyond the hype // Jalan and Jibril Durimel

Jalan and Jibril Durimel are 20 year old twin brothers from Paris living in Los Angeles. Visit their blog at durimel.com.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and where you live.

We recently moved to LA about a year ago from Paris, and before Paris we went to high school in the Caribbean, elementary school in Miami but born in Paris, France. That was said backwards but yeah, haha!

Now we express our taste at Durimel.com, and make apple juice in the morning.  

What are your passions?

We’re passionate towards genuine sartorial art and colors palettes overall.

How did you first become interested in fashion and why is it important?

So first we discovered “style” in 2012 but only got into “fashion” in the summer of 2013. We started with fits and were mainly focused in vintage 90’s - print shirts, acid wash, boho, etc. Then we “broke the rules” and now we TRY to be as innovative as possible with clothing and the aesthetic of our blog.  

How do you describe the fashion scene in Los Angeles compared to other major cities or fashion capitals?

There are definitely different cultures and scenes but Jibril always says, “Fashion is not a place, it’s an Industry.” Socially, LA is not the most fashion forward city but business wise it’s surprisingly really connected. The power of the entertainment industry takes a large toll on trend sets and so much more brands manufacture here than one would imagine.

Paris is just the capital of fashion and holds a lot of heritage, couture houses but unfortunately a lot of the street-style and fashion culture comes from LA or the US overall. Regardless there’s still amazing characters/culture out there - Pigalle clothing for example.

What do you love about living in Los Angeles?

It’s super metropolitan which is nice but we’ve learnt that LA is all about social curation. We like it here because we choose whom to surround ourselves with and have come upon some great opportunities.

Tell us your top 3 places to visit in the United States:

We haven’t been that much places in the US, haha! So LA, New York, Miami…that’s where we’ve been.

Describe your personal style and its influences or inspirations.

We love colors but we’ve refrained from really bright ones recently but not purposely. We love comfortable large fits. Inspired by the Japanese but we were taught by the French.  

How do you compliment each other’s styles?

We don’t leave our house trying to match at all, but surprisingly our colors end up being in sync quit a bit of times. I guess we have the same moods.

What are your biggest similarities and differences?

Biggest similarities: Our taste.

Biggest difference: Jibril is a bit more quiet. Jalan can't stop talking.

Basically like the cartoon “CatDog.”

What do you love the most about being twins?

Definitely the honesty in our relationship. There is no filter!

What are your favorite designers and places to shop?

Favorite designer: Burberry Prorsum, everything from their styling to their runway music choices are perfectly curated.

Favorite place to shop: Nowhere in particular we shop anywhere though. Sometimes, even hardware stores.

The first thing you look at in another person's outfit is:

The overall shape of the pieces.

What do you skimp on?

Accessories.

What do you splurge on?

Bottoms.

A fashion rule you always break:

Fits, we always try to recreate the ideal menswear silhouette.

A fashion rule you never break:

With all due respect, we aspire to break them all. Last year, 2013, was our year of learning the rules now we’re more experimental with our style.

What do you think is the most recent notable trend to appear/reappear, and what are your thoughts on it?

Definitely those Celine, Vans type loafers. We usually don’t like trendy things, (because we’re too cool, JK) but those loafers are actually really cool. ☺

What is the most underrated item in menswear and womenswear?

Plain t-shirts. Everyone is looking for the next best piece which is shadowing the basics.

Your favorite color of the moment is:

Sand. We’ve recently found interest in different shades of browns.

What is your next "must have" purchase?

Etudes hat. Here’s a link, they’re perfect, in our opinion.

What is the ultimate showpiece in your closet?

Our two main hats, for sure! We wear them all the time. Jibril’s round bubble shaped felt hat and my brown, wide brimmed, straw fedora.

Are there any fashion icons or famous people whose style you admire?

Yes there are a few: Susie Bubble, Judas Lee, Sam Lambert and Shaka Maidoh (Art Comes First).

What's on your iPod / bookshelf / movie list at the moment?

Music: Chvrches, Geeorge Ezra, Chance the Rapper

Movies: The Wolf of Wall street, Blue Is the Warmest Colour

What can't you live without?

Honestly we couldn’t live without each other… I mean its just nature, haha!

Next place you want to travel to:

Japan hands down, we love their humility and fashion culture. It would be the perfect getaway.

What is your personal favorite outfit on Lookbook by you, and by another member?

Personal for Jalan.

Personal for Jibril.

Hard to choose with Judas, but this one.

In the year 2019, you will be:

Notable tastemakers in the fashion industry. 

What would you say to someone seeking general fashion advice?

Look outside of “fashion!” 

Our last interviewee Rachel Lynch wants to know: If you could only pick three items to take to Paris with you for three days worth of looks, which three items would you bring?

A fitted black sweater, cool black pants and our Chelsea Bravo one piece.

What should we ask the next interviewee?

What would be your dream project if you could receive all the backing you needed while keeping full creative control?