Gabe Eng-Goetz is taking his creativity to the next level with apparel business Runaway. Eng-Goetz says his love for fashion began while spending time in New York City during college, and he later returned to Durham to execute his ideas. “Upon returning to North Carolina, I started making clothing in my basement for my friends and it just grew from there. Today, we have a flagship store in downtown Durham and sell internationally online. I wanted to start something from scratch with as few limitations as possible and a strong direction.”

Eng-Goetz designs each collection on his own, with the exception of collaborations. Since its inception in 2011, Runaway has collaborated with organizations like the Carolina Hurricanes, Lululemon, the Durham Bulls, and Hopscotch Music Festival. The brand direction is clear, and its gaining traction outside of Durham, too. Their classic DURM slogan continues to pop up on hats and tees throughout the Triangle—the company’s campaign to celebrate the city and ‘say it like you’re from here.’

 The Durham native says he started the company in the Bull City to give back to his community. “I’m from Durham, this city has given me everything: its people, its schools, its resources. I came back after college to give back in the only way I know how, through the arts,” he says. “Runaway was founded on the idea of ‘running from convention’. Everything we do is to further a lifestyle that we want to live.”—Catherine Currin

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