Meet DFTLU

We had the good fortune of connecting with DFTLU and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi DFTLU, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Starting our own business was a deeply personal and collaborative journey. Raluca’s passion for fashion has always been a driving force in our lives. She has an incredible eye for design and a keen sense of style that I’ve always admired. Our experiences, both individually and together, shaped the foundation of what would become Don’t Forget To Look Up (DFTLU).

The thought process behind starting DFTLU was fueled by a desire to create something meaningful that could inspire others. The idea truly sparked when we witnessed something unexplainable in the Las Vegas night sky. We realized we were missing out on so much because we tend to forget to look up! We noticed how much time people spend looking down at screens, missing out on the beauty and experiences around them. We wanted to develop a brand that not only offers stylish, minimalistic fashion but also carries a powerful message: to look up, be present, and appreciate the moments in life.

I come from the Coffee and Beer industry. Although those two don’t typically coincide with fashion…what captivated me was the brand experience within those worlds. Raluca’s insights into fashion and my own experiences and observations combined perfectly to form this vision. We wanted to build a brand that reflects our values and encourages positivity. The idea was to blend fashion with a purpose, creating pieces that are not only visually appealing but also serve as reminders to live in the moment. This blend of personal passion and a broader mission is what drove us to take the leap and start DFTLU. -Noe

What should our readers know about your business?
Don’t Forget To Look Up (DFTLU) is more than just a fashion brand; it’s a movement. We specialize in minimalistic designer streetwear that emphasizes quality and purpose. Our brand is rooted in the idea of inspiring people to be present and appreciate the world around them. In today’s fast-paced digital age, it’s easy to get caught up in screens and miss out on real-life experiences. We aim to counteract that with our clothing, serving as a reminder to our customers to look up and engage with the world.

What sets us apart is our commitment to combining fashion with a meaningful message. Our designs are clean and minimalistic, focusing on high-quality materials and timeless styles. But beyond aesthetics, each piece carries a deeper significance. Our shirts are not just about looking good; they are about feeling good and being reminded to live fully in the moment.

One of the things we are most proud of is the community we’ve built around our brand. Seeing how our message resonates with people and how it positively impacts their lives is incredibly rewarding. We’re also excited about expanding our product line and continuing to innovate while staying true to our core values.

Getting to where we are today has been a journey filled with both challenges and triumphs. Starting a business is never easy, and we’ve faced our share of obstacles. From sourcing the right materials to navigating the complexities of marketing, each step required persistence and creativity. One of the biggest challenges was staying true to our vision in a market saturated with trends and fleeting fashions. We overcame this by constantly reminding ourselves of our purpose and the impact we want to have.

The lessons we’ve learned along the way are invaluable. One key lesson is the importance of staying authentic. In a world where it’s easy to get swayed by trends, sticking to our core values has been crucial. We’ve also learned the power of resilience. There were times when setbacks felt overwhelming, but each challenge taught us to adapt, grow, and push forward with even more determination.

We want the world to know that DFTLU is about more than just clothes. It’s about a lifestyle and a mindset. Our story is one of passion, persistence, and purpose. We started this brand to inspire others, and every piece we create is a testament to that mission. We hope that our journey encourages others to pursue their dreams, stay present, and always look up.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If our best friend were visiting, we’d want to give them the ultimate Dallas experience. Living in Las Colinas gives us the perfect blend of a serene neighborhood with easy access to the vibrant city life of Dallas. Here’s a little itinerary for a week-long trip:

Day 1: Exploring Las Colinas

Morning: Start with breakfast at Pax & Beneficia in Las Colinas. They have incredible coffee and have just the right assortment of food to get the day started.

Afternoon: Take a walk along the Mandalay Canal Walk. It’s a beautiful area for a leisurely stroll or a gondola ride. Maybe stop by Ginger Man after for a quick lunch.

Evening: Dinner would definitely have to be at Mr. Max. This spot serves up amazing authentic Japanese cuisine in a cozy atmosphere.

Day 2: Arts and Culture in Dallas

Morning: Head to the Dallas Museum of Art. It’s one of the largest art museums in America and has a vast collection that spans centuries.

Afternoon: Visit the Nasher Sculpture Center and enjoy the beautiful sculptures and serene garden.

Evening: Dinner at Toussaint Downtown Brasserie. Great Whiskey bar with French-American Fare. Everything there is tasty!

Day 3: Shopping and Entertainment

Morning: Brunch at Bread Winners Café. Their brunch menu is legendary.

Afternoon: Spend the afternoon shopping at NorthPark Center. It’s not just a shopping mall but also a place to enjoy art installations.

Evening: Most likely either try and go to the movies! OR We would likely look up what concerts are going on and find something like that to do. There is always a fun dance night or great artist in town.

Day 4: Outdoor Adventures

Morning: Breakfast at Ascension Coffee (close to us at Cypress Waters) to fuel up for the day. We like the area a lot!

Afternoon: Visit the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. It’s a beautiful place to relax and take in nature.

Evening: Head to Las Colinas to eat at Whiskey Cake to cool off and enjoy great food and drinks (I love the actual Whiskey Cake there…SO GOOD)

Day 5: Food and History

Morning: Start with breakfast at Yolk in One Arts Plaza.

Afternoon: Visit the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. It’s actually a very interesting thing to do.

Evening: Dinner at Pecan Lodge in Deep Ellum for some of the best BBQ you’ll ever have.

Day 6: Day Trip to Fort Worth

Morning: Breakfast at Joe T Garcias because….it’s Joe T’s! Beautiful place and Historic!

Afternoon: Visit the Fort Worth Stockyards for a taste of cowboy culture and maybe watch a cattle drive. There’s quite a lot to do there!

Evening: Dinner at Reata. It’s a great spot for Southwestern cuisine with a rooftop bar that offers stunning views. (You have to try their Calamari!)

Day 7: Relax and Reflect

Morning: Just some coffee and our place to start the day because if this last day is a Sunday (let’s pretend it is) Then we are heading out to eat and relax.

Mid morning-afternoon: Head to the Dallas Buddhist Temple to have some SUPER tasty homemade thai food. And being at the Temple what better place to just sit and soak in the day for a bit with some great food and people

Evening: End the trip with a bang… dinner at Fearing’s Restaurant. Located in the Ritz-Carlton, it’s an upscale dining experience that’s perfect for a farewell meal.

Throughout the week, we’d make sure to visit some local coffee shops like Houndstooth Coffee and bars like The Happiest Hour for fun, food and drinks. Dallas has a vibrant and diverse scene, and we’d want to share as many of our favorite spots as possible! It’s an endless list it feels like.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Thanks to family we are able to pursue our dreams and be able to navigate this journey with love and support!

Website: www.DFTLU.com

Instagram: @dftlu_official

Facebook: DFTLU

Other: Tik-Tok: @dftlu_official

Image Credits
Product Shots by: Sharron Jordan Profile Shots by: Jayden Sun