How Corridor Took Brooklyn’s Gritty Glamour Global

For more than a decade, Corridor has been a chief exporter of Brooklyn cool. The independent clothing brand, founded in 2013 by designer Dan Snyder, reflects everything that’s artful, urbane and unapologetically audacious about a borough legendary for its feisty creativity.

I first noticed Corridor in Los Angeles at two retail locations — one near me in Venice, the other in Larchmont — that somehow make you feel like changing your entire look (maybe even your entire life) to match the easy sophistication of whatever’s on those shelves.

Even in California, autumn feels like Corridor’s high season, with the brand’s sustainable knits and sweaters, and there’s always a few enviable new fall pieces to dream about. The Blanket Stitch Coat, in hard-wearing wool with flap pockets and almond-colored buttons, is what the handsome, moody art forger in your forthcoming detective novel would probably kill to wear. Pair that with the rugged new Carpenter Jeans or a Siena Crochet Cardigan, hand knit in Peru, and your hero is fit for a late-night opening at Microscope Gallery in Bushwick.

Noirish-ly enough, Snyder got his start at the F.B.I. as an intelligence contractor in D.C., but he wasn’t a fan of the baggy olive suits agents were expected to wear, so he took up night classes in tailoring to fix up his own wardrobe. In 2012, he left the bureau to study diplomacy at Tufts, but while making shirts for his classmates to pay the bills, he realized fashion was his true passion. Fast forward to today, and his brand is sold in 170 stores across 20 countries, with six U.S. retail locations (in NYC and LA).

Snyder, 39, and I spoke recently about staying true to Corridor’s roots and aesthetic even as the company goes global.

David Hochman: If you had to describe Corridor to someone unfamiliar with the brand, like my mom, how would you explain the aesthetic?

Dan Snyder: I’d describe it as expressive, artful menswear that’s still wearable. It’s high-quality, thoughtfully made, and designed with an eye for detail and texture. Our clothes are meant to be lived in, but they have a sense of creativity and individuality that makes them stand out without being flashy.

David Hochman: How has the brand evolved since you started?

Dan Snyder: When I started, I was really just a hobbyist, making things for fun without much formal training. Over time, I had to learn to become a designer on the job. In the early days, we were manufacturing locally in New York, sourcing textiles from Japan and elsewhere. As the brand has grown, our processes have become more sophisticated, and our partnerships with factories have matured. It’s been a learning curve, but it’s exciting to see how much more refined the brand has become over the years.

David Hochman: You’ve been in the fashion world for over a decade now, which is no small feat. How do you stay above the trends and keep things authentic?

Dan Snyder: It’s easy to get distracted by what other brands are doing or what’s trending, but I’ve learned that the real power comes from staying true to your own vision. I liken it to being a horse in a race—you know there are others around you, but you have to focus on your own stride. That’s how I stay connected to why I started in the first place, which is finding joy in creating, not chasing trends.

David Hochman: If you had to pick one piece from Corridor that best represents the brand, what would it be?

Dan Snyder: I’d say the Opus Cardigan from our current collection. It’s a wool blend with a large paisley print that’s both natural and psychedelic. The color is earthy and grounded, but the pattern has a lot of movement, almost hypnotic. It feels classic but still modern, and I think that really reflects what we try to do at Corridor—make things that are versatile, textured, and timeless, but always with a fresh twist.

David Hochman: Give me a quick list of designers or brands you admire.

Dan Snyder: Margaret Howell has incredible style—her approach to timeless, understated design really resonates with me. Our Legacy does great work too, and there are a few smaller brands like Bode and S.K. Manor Hill that I think are doing some interesting things. But, to be honest, I don’t look too much at other people’s designs. My inspiration mostly comes from textiles and how I can create something that feels deeply personal through color and texture.

David Hochman: What are your other muses?

Dan Snyder: I’m always studying how artists use color to evoke emotion. Rothko, for example—there’s so much movement within his use of color fields. I also love abstract expressionists in general, and painters like JMW Turner or Annie Besant’s water color illustrations in her work on theosophy. For me, the way color can communicate something intangible is fascinating, and that’s what I try to channel into my textile designs.

David Hochman: After 10 years of building Corridor, what’s exciting you about where the brand is now?

Dan Snyder: I think the most exciting part is that we’ve finally established a strong foundation. We have the right team in place, solid wholesale partners, and our own design language. It takes a long time to not only create a brand identity but to speak fluently in that design language, and I feel like we’re really there now. We know who we are, and now it’s about seeing where that foundation can take us. The possibilities feel endless.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.