Last Friday, while juggling a cellphone, a pen, a Moleskine, and a tray of soppy nachos, I had the opportunity to speak with ambitious, local men's underwear entrepreneur Dylan Ribkoff.

I must admit men's underwear fashion is not something I'm very familiar with, nor was I aware there was much thought put into it outside of functionality. Turns out my assumptions might have been justified, as Ribkoff himself entered the business wanting to change it.

"I felt dissatisfied with what was out there," said Ribkoff. "I never loved an underwear brand like I loved an outerwear brand."

He got the idea to start his own line around June of 2009. In short, he was on an airplane, headed to the men's room, and noticed the logo on his underwear. Ribkoff wanted to offer something different in terms of quality and design.

"My line offers manufacturing in Canada... and we have a step up on quality," he said. "We also do colour; bright, bold and infectious colour. There's a lack of colour in men's underwear and there are generally more options for women."

Ribkoff's line is not geared towards any age or income bracket in particular. Instead, his brand reflects the idea that clothing is not simply a necessity, but a way to express oneself.

"My line is for people who feel good about themselves," he said. "It's for people who love fashion, want to have fun, and live."

Starting a company from scratch posses many challenges financially and personally, thus, Ribkoff chose underwear partially because he values focus and drive, but also, because it posed a more affordable option to beginning a clothing line. Regardless, he learned that it is always difficult to balance finance with brand integrity.

"I don't encounter challenges so much as opportunities to head in the wrong direction. It's easy to cut corners, but that compromises the vision," he said. "I learned that I'm strong minded and tend to avoid that kind of thing."

Originally from ÃŽle Bizard, Ribkoff does not plan on moving into men's fashion in a broader scope. However, he would be open to the option once he has achieved all he wants in the underwear industy. Ribkoff's competitive personality and genuine passion for business is what drives him forward.

"I'm very competitive and I see the business that I do as a game... one of high stakes," he said. "It's an ongoing game with no end in sight. The idea of getting to the top is intriguing to me."

More information available on the company's official web page: http://www.dylanribkoff.com/, as well as their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Dylan-Ribkoff-Underwear/136062696418123?ref=mf

Photo by Bryan Wilkat