Ouigi is A.OK

ouigi is A.OK

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Meet Ouigi Theodore: Founder of The Brooklyn Circus and the visionary turning style into culture

Introduction

As Creative Director of The Brooklyn Circus, established in 2006, Ouigi Theodore has spent over two decades shaping not just fashion and retail, but the very fabric of Brooklyn culture. Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and now a fixture of Brooklyn life, Ouigi has created more than a clothing store—he's built a community hub where style, art, and connection converge.

Through The Brooklyn Circus's evolution from its corner spot at Bergen and Nevins to its new Canal Street location, Ouigi continues to push boundaries while staying true to his roots. His latest ventures include incorporating his own artwork into the brand's DNA and exploring concepts for a bookstore, museum, and educational initiatives. But at the heart of it all remains his commitment to community, creativity, and the beautiful intersection of art and life.

Backstory

My connection with Ouigi began simply as neighbors—his Brooklyn Circus store and I share the same block. But in true Brooklyn fashion, proximity turned into community. During the uncertainty of COVID, he participated in my project The Space Between You and Me on Instagram, joining a collective documentation of how we were all finding ways to stay connected while apart. His contribution spoke to the heart of what makes him special—the ability to build bridges between people, even in the most challenging times.

Later, I joined his run club, TeamWRK, where his infectious energy and relentless spirit pushed me to new limits during our training sessions around Prospect Park and to Little Island. Between his encouraging words and steady pace, he helped transform my running from casual exercise into sharing stories and dreams between breaths.

With love, Alessandra

Q+A

Can you introduce yourself and tell us what’s new with you? Can you introduce yourself and tell us what’s new with you?

Hey— I am Ouigi Theodore, Brooklynite born in Port-au-Prince Haiti. I am creative Director of The Brooklyn Circus, a clothing store + gallery established in 2006, with our newest location opening at 361 Canal Street in 2023. Professionally I've been in the fashion/retail industry for over 20+ years, the longest thing I've ever done. I really enjoy what I do, too much sometimes. I always have to remind myself that it is a business after all.

Personally—I am the father of an amazing 1 year old boy and partner/husband to an amazing woman who might be the baddest estate attorney on the planet.

Where are your favorite places to go in a normal week? Where are your favorite places to go in a normal week?

I love going to the office to engage and interact with my team. I try to visit as many galleries as possible during the week as well. Not just art galleries but furniture, pottery and more. I love beautiful art, beautiful design, beautiful things and beautiful people.

What's a ritual or creative practice that helps you reset and feel A.OK? What's a ritual or creative practice that helps you reset and feel A.OK?

I really love to eat good Haitian food while listening to classical music, jazz music or Haitian Kompa to reset. I love to paint as well and explore new things with my hands, which has been a secret of mine for a long time. It’s not much of a secret anymore, because I recently started sharing the work publicly. Small steps but opening more and more.

When or where do you feel most at ease? When or where do you feel most at ease?

I am most at ease at home relaxing with my family.

Publicly it’s an empty gallery or museum. I love the peace of being surrounded by art and the calm of empty galleries or museums.

Do you recall a time you didn’t feel A.OK? How did you move through it? Do you recall a time you didn’t feel A.OK? How did you move through it?

Sad to say that eating good food, or cookies (not the healthiest thing-I know) lifts my spirit up. Long distance running as hard as it can be, also helps shift my mood. I train for marathons and I go through all of the emotional highs and lows through a normal 16-week training cycle.

Ouigi Recommends

After any shower at home I move to soak myself in A.O.K oils from head to toe. The smell and the feeling of it brings me joy and peace. There’s something special in it and knowing the process of how it came to be makes it even more special.