O ne of the country’s most iconic preppy heritage brands, Duck Head, just turned 160 years old, and they chose to celebrate their birthday in Dallas with a swanky party at Babou’s in the belly of Hôtel Swexan.

Duck Head’s origin story dates back to 1865, when two brothers — George and Joe O’Bryan — repurposed surplus army tent material to make work pants. As avid outdoorsmen, the brothers named their company “Duck” after the heavy canvas material. In order to successfully register their company, “Duck” became “Duck Head.” They added a mallard logo, and an icon was born. During World War II, the government even contracted Duck Head to make soldiers’ uniforms.

In 1978, Duck Head bought 10,000 yards of cotton twill known as “chino” and applied the gold mallard logo over the back pocket.

See Full Page