Steadfast and Dapper

The traditional stereotype of the Christian in socks and sandals may be a thing of the past if the boys from Doxa Clothing have their way. The creative minds behind the fresh new brand from Bury St Edmunds were at Link on the Ipswich waterfront last night to tell people about what got them started, and why their trademark phrase is “steadfast and dapper”.

 

The company was dreamed up a little over a year ago when Josh Stannard and Ben Ryan were working together with a Christian football organisation in the USA, and takes its name from the New Testament Greek for “glory and splendour”.

 

“We were just sitting down one evening talking about the future,” says Josh, “and we both kind of said, wouldn't it be great to have some decent Christian t-shirts and to make them ourselves and to not have to buy so much mainstream stuff again. From then on it was embedded into our hearts to provide that service and to share the good news through this means.”

 

Although only in its early stages, say the lads, there are big plans ahead as far as Doxa is concerned. Not only do they intend to continue developing the range of stock available to the public, but they are also planning to develop links with the farmers in Kenya who supply the cotton used to make the clothes. This way, they say, “we can give back to the local economy, provide people with jobs and show the love”.

 

It was clear to everyone at Link that Doxa is about far more than just fashion. “We want to feel like a family, and a community, and not to feel impersonal. We don't want to limit ourselves to just clothing and nor do we want to just sit back and wait for others to do things. We want to pioneer something, and see lives changed in a way that only God can.”