Teddy Grasset of Dr. Collectors Tragically Killed in Nashville

The denim community is an incredibly close-knit group. The people who work in this industry span the globe and meet up regularly to share and discuss what we’re passionate about. When a member of the community is lost, especially someone so young and unexpected, it is especially tragic.

Unfortunately, such is the case with Teddy Grasset, the co-founder of the Los Angeles-based vintage denim and workwear brand Dr. Collectors. Teddy was killed early Monday morning after trying to escape what police believe is an attempted robbery in downtown Nashville. According to the Tennessean:

Police spokeswoman Kris Mumford said Grasset and his 28-year-old friend Larry Niehues of Los Angeles were walking when two suspects got out of a gray or silver Chevrolet Impala and approached the men, spooking them. The driver of the Impala, police say, remained in the car.

Mumford said Niehues ran south toward Korean Veterans Boulevard and was not hurt, but Grasset ran toward Demonbreun and was shot in the chest by one of the suspects.

The suspects then fled the area.

Grasset was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center where he later died.

Teddy was 30 years old and he ran Dr. Collectors with his father, Olivier Grasset. Both of them were French and the brand has a heavy influence from French workwear, which they displayed out of their store/showroom LA Trading Post on Los Angeles’s La Brea Avenue.

Teddy and Dr. Collectors were a frequent exhibitor at the Inspiration vintage show in LA. Show organizer Rin Tanaka tells us, “We had super great times with Eddy in last seven years. What a great young man he was…”

Blair Lucio of General Quarters, a denim and heritage store just up the block from LA Trading Post had similar feelings, “He was one of the most gentle people I’ve met. His excitement for his work and passion for creating special things was visible in his person. Always positive and supportive, we had a respect that shop owners tend to have with each other. We really feel for his family and closer friends….and it’s not enough to say that we will miss him everyday.”

A memorial ceremony will take place at the Hollywood Forever Cemetary in Los Angeles on Monday, October 3 at 1pm. Dress code is indigo/blue, NO black.

If you knew Teddy, please feel free to share your favorite memories of him in the comments below.