Dear Customer and Friend:

Rafael Contreras Soldevilla, the founder of D’Accord, passed away April 7, 2006. He was born December 8, 1914 in Madrid, Spain. He was the third of six children. When he was four years old his father died and my grandmother lacking all the entitlements that people take for granted today, had to send my father to a school for orphan children.

A few years later, his grandfather who had settled in Havana, told my grandmother to migrate with the children to Cuba for better opportunities. So at 13 years of age my father began his schooling in the world of business, to help support the family. His first job was in a hat shop, shaping the hats that priests wore. Later he worked in retail stores. As an enterprising young man of 16, he began his own business by buying and selling suits on the streets of Havana. At the tender age of 21 he founded Cancha, that became one of the most exclusive men’s stores in Cuba. During the 1930’s, 40’s, 50’s Cancha was visited by international dignitaries, sports figures and artists.

In 1959 the scourge of communism brought in by Castro seized Cancha and the entire island of Cuba. Being forced to leave everything behind, we exiled to the land of freedom, America, to begin our new lives in 1960. In 1964 my father founded what became one of the finest men’s wear manufacturing companies, D’Gala. In 1980 he started D’Accord, keeping the tradition of making fine men’s apparel that current and past presidents wear. In his memory we will strive to continue to provide the finest men’s wear. He shall be greatly missed.

Sincerely,

Rafael Contreras Jr.
President