New Designs from Danial Webster

Daniel Webster Design is kicking off a bunch of new products this weekend, including the racer undies (shown). The new products also feature photography by Clayton Ryan with modeling by Seattle's own Guerrilla Gogos. I'm really liking the feel of the new photography and the new underwear styles. The photography lends a very high fashion edge to these fashionable pants.

In celebration of all these exciting new features DWD will be offering $5 off any purchase made from now until Midnight on Sunday, July 13th. Just enter coupon code DWEBSTER5. Basically you will be getting your shipping costs covered by DWD.

Danial Webster Design on Feast of Fools

Danial Webster Design was featured on Feast of Fools, "a gay fun show" podcast. You can listen to the episode here (February 29th). In honor of this feature, DWD is giving you $10 off on all orders, just enter coupon code "feastoffools".

Clearance at Danial Webster Design

Here's a quick note from the folks at Danial Webster Design:

The holiday season was great here at Danial Webster Design, and all thanks to you. As the new year sets in, we're planning some updates to our site and, hopefully, the introduction of some new products and fabrics. As part of this update process, we've phased out a couple fabrics and are clearancing the line of Lime Camo Tank and Undies and the Red Stripe Undies. All three of these products are selling for only $10 each. This sale will continue until February 2, or until supplies run out. No coupon codes necessary.

Danial Webster Design Deal

You may remember Danial Webster Design from my review a while back. If you don't, they are great undies, and you should definitely look into a pair or two. DWD, in honor of the holiday season is offering $10 off on all orders (no minimum purchase!). Just enter coupon code "xmas10" at checkout. They ship via priority mail which usually takes 2-3 days, so you have quite a bit of time for them to arrive before Christmas.

Exclusive Discounts at Danial Webster Design

After all the great response from the interview I did with him, Danial Hellman of Danial Webster Design decided that he would extend exclusive discount codes to UB readers. Here's how it works:

DWEBSTER15 will give $15 off a $50.00+ order

DWEBSTER20 will give $20 off a $100.00+ order

So there you have it. The codes expire in about two weeks.

Exclusive Interview: Danial Webster

In a continuation of our interview series, I just sat down to interview Danial Hellman of Danial Webster Design. You may remember Danial Webster Design underwear from this review I did a while back. Anyway, here is the interview. Enjoy!

UB: What inspired you to start creating men's underwear?

DW: I was inspired by the lack of great mens underwear on the market. At the time, there weren't any brands that were fun, playful and sexy, without catering to a look that is very childish and fetishizing of little boy underwear. At the time, I was also looking for way to support other clothing design ventures, and men's underwear seemed like a good market to enter into. I figured that if I couldn't find any underwear that I really loved, there were other guys out there with the same problem.

UB: What underwear are you wearing right now?

DW: I'm wearing one of my original samples, from the beginning of it all. They're a red "punk rock" plaid.

UB: What inspires you to create the individual designs?

DW: In general, I let the fabric inspire me. As you can see, I really enjoy stripes, but over all I just hunt down fabric that inspire me. Fun energetic prints and bold graphics really inspire me.

UB: You started as a one-man operation filling all the orders yourself, is that still the case?

DW: I'm still a one man operation, but had a chance to build up a backstock earlier this year. That means no more playing catchup when bunch of orders roll in, or a new store wants to carry my line.

UB: Where do you find all the great fabrics that you use for your underwear?
DW: I hunt all over for them. I've ordered fabric from NYC and LA, but also order from online stores all over the country. I even hit the local Seattle fabric stores and buy up anything the looks like fun. I'm really hoping that in the coming year I will be able to have some fabric custom knitted for me. There's some fabrics that I'd love to have, but just can't find.....like the red plaid I mentioned earlier.

UB: What prompted you do the fun contrasting pattern on the inside of the pouch?
DW: That all started with a joke, actually. I was making underwear sample for a friend to try out and lined the pouch with a fun fabric, and realized what a great detail it was. It's in every single pair from the very first too this day.

UB: How did you decide on a pattern for the underwear? And why did you decide to go with trunks, why not briefs or boxer shorts?

DW: I started with a pattern that I already had from another project, but never really liked. I altered the waistband, pouch size, leg length and some other details to achieve the fit you all now know. I deicded on the trunk because i like them. I think they're the most comfortable style and also fairly attractive on lots of body types. I've been told by major online stores that g strings and bikini styles outsell trunks 10 to 1, but still stand by my design.

UB: Are there any plans to create briefs or boxer shorts in the future?

DW: I have considered a brief style but have yet to decide on whether to develop it, but I do know that I would much rather develop a boxer style. Unfortunately, developing a boxer would require a large output of time and money in research and development that I currently can't afford. It's definitely on my list if the company continues to grow, though. Other than these styles, I would really like to develop an all-in-one men's undergarment. I love the turn of the century all in ones and think they'd be a fun addition to my line.

UB: What do you mean by the "all-in-one" styles of men's underwear?
DW: By all in one, I mean the style that is like the underwear and a tank top all connected into one garment, with buttons or snaps down the front. Sort of like a long underwear union suit.

UB: All your underwear is limited edition. How limited are they?
DW: It varies widely. I've been trying to buy at least enough fabric to make 30 pair of a style. It's difficult to put the very limited edition styles up on my website, so not many of them make it. Currently, the truly limited editions are carried in one my retailers in Seattle, Fancy+Pants (www.pantsunderpants.com). They carry some styles that only have 3 pairs, one per size. On the high end, I can make as many as 100 pair of some styles. It's definitely a balancing act, keeping the quantities small enough that they are unique, but having enough fabric that I can make a profit off of the business. The reason many underwear lines can sell so cheaply is that they manufacture styles in large quantities, and I'm at a total disadvantage in this area.

UB: Do you always wear your own brand of underwear, or do you wear other brands as well (if yes, what are they)?
DW: I really only wear my own undies anymore. Not out of disliking all the other brands, but I just have a lot of samples that I get to keep.

UB: Besides websites, where can we find your products?
DW: Currently, I'm mostly in Seattle retailers: Fancy+Pants, Retail Therapy on Capitol Hill in Seattle and then a store called Apartment 3, in Los Angeles, CA. I'm about ready to do a new photo shoot and make a big push to get into more retailers all over the nation. Right now, its definitely spreading word of mouth, so it's a slow build.

UB: What are your goals in creating men's underwear? How do you want men to feel when they put on your underwear?
DW: I want them to feel sexy and fun. Underwear is such a personal item, and no matter what you're wearing on the outside, you can wear whatever fun, colorful, crazy undies you want and no one will know.

UB: Who is your target market?
DW: I really think the market for people looking for fun underwear defines itself. I have clients that cut across a full spectrum of classes, ages, body types. I think my product is for anyone that wants to have fun underwear.

UB: Are there plans to expand further into men's clothing (you already have some T-shirts)?
DW: I do have some tshirts, but they are more a sideline and not a focus of my line. I really want to rework my tank tops and expand my line a little with the styles I mentioned earlier. Since I am a small business still, I think my big goal is to establish myself and do this one product really great. After I've done that, I can then start focusing on other items and have the energy to really pour into perfecting them.

So there you have it! I'm interested to know what you think about Danial Webster Design. Any follow-up questions?

Danial Webster Design (DWD)

I'd like to tell you about a new (to my knowledge) brand in the men's underwear world. It is called Danial Webster Design. DWD is fairly well established in Seattle, where it is made. Danial is now looking to expand his market to the web and more U.S. boutiques. Danial Webster has a background in theater and in couture techniques. Although his line of underwear is machine sewn, it is all sewn by Danial Webster himself in the meticulous couture-style. They are not made to order, but they are all limited editions. These limited editions are not in set numbers, but rather go as long as the particular fabric lasts. He sources his fabric from various suppliers around the US, so you are sure to have unique fabric under your pants. Last year he traveled to LA and did a lot of buying of fabric for his underwear line. He believes in offering his customers "something I know will delight them and keep them coming back to see what I have to offer" even if it cuts into his profits. Now that's dedication to the customer. And it shows in the quality and styling of his underwear line. Danial Webster is truly dedicated to having good quality underwear that really pleases his customers and meets their needs.

Danial sent me a couple samples to review. I was sent the 'Creamsicle Stripe Undies' and the 'Mod Stripe Undies'. They are both very similar in terms of styling and fit. In fact the only difference is that the Creamsicle Stripe has an exposed waistband and the Mod Stripe has a fabric covered waistband. But for the purpose of this review I will only talk about the 'Creamsicle Stripe Undies'.

I'd like to start off with the fit of these finely made underpants. The fit is excellent. There is not much more I could desire. I really like the leg length, it is a little shorter than most trunks, but this is great because it prevents them from riding up. They are also very low-rise. Also the fabric is very stretchy so it will stretch to fit anyone. Unlike the 2wink trunks, the leg openings are perfect and they will stretch to accommodate any size thigh. These undies are very well fitting everywhere. The only area that is a little too small is the pouch; it is a little uncomfortably small at times (ahem). But it does make you look like you are packing whether you are or not. So overall on the fit they get a 9.

The comfort level is quite good. The fabric is very soft and smooth, and because it is so stretchy it comfortably allows movement. As previously mentioned though, the pouch is a little small. Despite the pouch issue, most of the time while wearing these I barely even realized I was wearing anything at all. Although these are not perfect, they are quite possibly the most comfortable trunks I have ever worn. Therefore they receive a 9 overall for comfort.

The style of these undies is excellent. It is everything you would expect from a man with background in couture sewing. There is lots of attention to the details. Every seam is meticulously made, and very well made at that. Also the overall look of these trunks is very stylish and hip. One particular feature that I would like to point out is one that has not been pointed out or shown on his shopping site. It is the pouch. Yes, I am talking about the pouch a lot in this review, but that's because it is so unique. The pouch has contrasting print fabric on the inside. It is very cool looking and it shows just how much attention Danial Webster devotes to every detail of these undergarments (that truly deserve to be called garments). Check out the photo to see just how much detail this pair of underwear has. Also just a little aside, I've gotten lots of compliments (from both sexes) on how cool these undies look.

The quality of these underwear is superb. They are everything that would be expected from a man with such high credentials. I do not think I can give these undies enough praise. A 10!

The value of these undies is exceptional. They are rather pricey at $25 or $30 a piece (depending on the retailer), but if you can afford them they are worth it.

MY RATING:
Overall, I give the Danial Webster Design, Creamsicle Stripe Undies a total score of 9 based on the following criteria:
FIT -- 9 (out of 10)
COMFORT -- 9 (out of 10)
STYLE -- 10 (out of 10)
QUALITY -- 10 (out of 10)
VALUE -- 9 (out of 10)

********** 9

Danial Webster Design Underwear can be purchased at:
Danial Webster Design
Pants-Under-Pants