Meet Dustin | Dad Life
Dustin Horowitz, previously a creative director at Tommy Hilfiger, has taken his love for architecture and design into the real estate industry. Now, he continues to find new ways to foster his creativity through running, spending time in nature, and cherishing the simple moments with his two children.
How has your background in fashion helped you approach real estate in a unique and fresh way?
“The main objectives and plan are design, build, sell. Which is essentially the same philosophy of any brand or any design company. The idea of designing a house is no different than the idea of designing a pair of jeans. You need a team to build a house, the same way you need a team to execute a pair of jeans. And after the product is executed, the same principles fall into place in both industries where you need to market it. Whether it’s through a website or through print media, there are essential marketing skills, because you could design something great but if you can’t market it, you can’t sell it. When I’m selling, that’s when my experience with photography comes into play. It helps with the way you view a product and whether you use a creative way of shooting it and a creative way of selling it.”
Your family has some strong ties to some of the most iconic fashion brands in America. Would you care to elaborate?
“My grandfather was one of the original Ralph Lauren employees and then my dad was the co-founder/CEO of Tommy Hilfiger, which is going back 40 something years now.
“In the 60s, my grandfather was a tie manufacturer who lived in the same circle as Ralph Lauren when living in the Bronx. And Ralph's original product was ties. My grandfather was essential on the manufacturing side, and the one responsible for the production aspects of the ties. Then, as the brand grew, his focus expanded past just ties. That was my family's introduction.
“In the early years of Ralph Lauren my father, Joel Horowitz, helped launch Polo Western in 1978. My dad was really involved in the design merchandising world then. He did Polo Western for a couple years and then transitioned to work on other parts of the company. Then, after meeting Hilfiger in 1984, he was soon hired as the chief executive officer for the new company, where he worked for the next 19 years. My family and the foundation they created was my original introduction into the fashion world, which opened doors for a 3rd generation in the apparel industry."
“Becoming a father has made me realize the importance of functionality in design. Design has always played a large role in my life, but now with kids, whether it's furniture, architecture, space in our home, or even a dress, it is important that it serves a purpose. You have to ask questions like: How does it work? How does it last? Your cooking glove is a good example. It's durable, it's functional and it's not a silly object that falls apart in six months. I've had it on my barbecue for several years.”
“I'm not one to dwell on mistakes, but I always go back to selling my Apple stock, which is obviously something I regret because, had I held it, maybe I'd be calling you from a jet. Something my dad used to say is that it’s important to bet on things that affect your day-to-day life, which is a motto I still carry with me when investing.”
If you could spend a day doing anything you wanted, free from any obligations, what would that day look like?
“Tennis, beach, and barbecue. I stand by that.”
What is your go-to meal for cheering up a loved one when they’re feeling down?
“Pizza. The best pizza is Sally's in New Haven, Connecticut. I take my dad there every year."
What is your favorite Dad hack for cooking and prepping meals?
“Cold pizza. I toss it in the toaster or put an egg on it. Breakfast pizza.”
How did you and Ubi meet, and how have you guys bonded through different seasons of life?
“We met in design school and spent some formative years running around the city working at Tommy Hilfiger. We loved snowboarding together and spent some time in Vermont and Jersey Shore. As we got older, we were given opportunities to work on different projects for different companies from different parts of the world like Montana and Europe."
Which Mi Cocina product is your favorite, and why?
“The denim Oven Mitt. It’s my go-to for the barbecue. It's not your run-of-the-mill item that you would get at the hardware store. It's durable and also unique, which I appreciate.”
Is there a particular environment where you feel most creative? What is it about that space that inspires you?
“I would say running. You're probably the clearest in your head when doing it. And then, you kind of forget about your day-to-day, and you're just focused on what you're doing. I usually have some songs playing, and nine times out of ten I'm outside in the fresh air, with no distractions.”
“Rather than focusing on the past projects, I always like to think of what's ahead.”
“You can always see the creativity with the family when appreciating the little things. There's creativity in activities like boogie boarding and tennis. My daughter draws a lot and does more traditional creative things but I think sports like snowboarding and surfing are equally as creative. There's creativity expressed in all of their hobbies.”
“Kids always make you appreciate the simple things. Looking back on this summer, we had a lot of beach days, and instead of surfing the perfect wave, sometimes it's nice to just go in the ocean, jump over some waves and enjoy the simpler moments. Even just riding a bike to the beach, sometimes that's more fun than actually getting there.”
