Tariq Dixon’s work in TRNK’s home décor has always been digital, but over the years has delved into brick-and-mortar business making connections with clients that can only be achieved in person. So he’s now taken a permanent residence on Jay Street, and the space is just that: Designed to feel like home.
“Having a place to host and entertain has always been an important way to interact with our customers more intimately,” said Dixon. (His own home was highlighted in Bed Stuy in AD.) “As our collection grew and new layers were added to the business, I needed a home where everything could culminate and appear together and interact with one another.
Dixon founded the company in 2013 with Nick Nemecic – both refugees from the menswear industry – via Baltimore, Harvard and Armani. One attraction at first was attracting more men – “there was an interest in disadvantaged customers, we wanted to discredit the idea that men don’t shop” – but that fizzled out over time as the thinking about gender identity and design (thankfully) became more complex.
Photography by Elliott Jerome Brown, Jr
The company consists of three main components: TRNK Group of its own designs; TRNK Editions – limited edition images; and its curated pieces representing over 50 brands from around the world, from small independent ceramic studios to larger brands. The idea is that everything for the house is in one place – “I hope it’s in a very cohesive and modded line.”
Dixon, who is black and Korean, has sought with this company not only to better represent BIPOC in the industry, but also to open discussions about race, identity, and cultural bias when it comes to design itself. The company’s structure and mission allows for the support of fledgling designers and in this way leads some discussion. He uses the platform to support organizations such as the Ali Furney Center for LGBT Youth and Black Youth Project 100.
And I will note that his addition to the neighborhood brings us one of the very few black-owned businesses. In fact, when I tried to tally during the pandemic, all I could identify was Shopboy, the tailor at 62 Walker. Readers have identified Brooklyn Chop House in Nassau as black owned, and of course if we want to focus on minority owned we don’t need to go further than Chinatown.
The company has always had a downtown sensibility, so choosing Tribeca was straightforward, especially with the Tribeca Gallery area booming and what it hopes (you’ve tried!) will become the Tribeca Design District. (We won some and lost some in that front: Stella, R & Company, Jenni Kayne, Lambert & Fils, Egg Collective, Clic, Espaso, Room, Urban Archeology, Stillfried Wein, Studio Twenty Seven on the wins; Maker & Son and David Weeks Studio among the losses.) “The appeal was also its beautiful, quiet, cobbled streets and obviously the client is here too.”
Currently, Jay’s shop—which is amazing, by the way—acts more as a showcase for his collection with a few small pieces and photos that complete the look. But this is subject to change, especially around the holidays, when there is more focus on the little things. “It always comes in handy for customers when they can see multiple things in one ride,” Dixon said. “And it’s good to have a place where they can work together in harmony.”
Note: TRNK is part of NYC x Design, now runs through May 20, and will host an open studio on May 14.
TRNK
18 Jay | Greenwich and Hudson
From Tuesday to Friday, from 11 am to 6 pm
“We encourage people to make appointments so we can do a little better service.”
