Designer Q & A - Ruby Denim
This week's Designer Q & A is with Kate Eccles, Owner/Designer of Ruby London Denim.
1) Why do you think after 200 years jeans are still one of the most popular items of clothing?
Most versatile, workable, reliable garment, best investment for money in fashion terms and the key item in a wardrobe that remains fashionable season on season.
2) Last time I counted there were well over 100 brands of premium denim jeans, what makes your jeans stand out from the rest?
RUBY is known for its great fits, quality denim, relablilty and for the tonal knot detail found on ruby back yokes and pockets, as well as key fashionable organic styles.
3) Who do you imagine is a typical customer?
Hard to say we go from Lindsay Lohan to Joe Whiley.
4) Where do you get your inspiration from?
Spiritual people in spiritual countries such as Burma, India and Africa.
5) Which style and wash of your jeans are flying out of the shops the quickest at the moment?
Rennie, slim leg knot back yoke detail , all ruby jeans are clean washes and soft, best colour at the moment is deepest plum (see above) in organic stretch.
6) Are there any essential jeans that everyone should have in their wardrobe?
The rennine slim leg, the connie bootcut, the patty kick flare (most forward style) the vera highwaisted straight leg the winner for htat night out.
7) What are the first pair of jeans you remember?
Levis 501.
8) What have been your favourite pair of jeans that you have owned?
RUBY rennine in rinse, vera in fuschia pink, connie in white and john in rinse.
9) What have been your favourite pair of jeans that you have produced?
rennie.
10) How many pairs of jeans do you currently own and which are your favourites?
50-70 , ruby without a shadow of a doubt, all my 7 jeans are now redundant , I honestly cnat find a pair of jeans that bet RUBYS fit and fabric and appeal for my body shape.
11) Are you a "wash your jeans after each wear" person or a "wear your jeans for six months before you wash them" person?
Wash my jeans after 2 wear type of person.
12) Do you own jeans for different occasions (for instance I have work jeans, smart jeans, weekend jeans, holiday jeans, jeans for going to concerts in, jeans for gardening in) if so what have you got?
I have ruby jeans which are all sexy jeans, if I want to stand out in the day to night it’s the rennie, for the ultra slim and sexy look it’s the vera, for the dinner date it’s the patty and for kick around and play with my son it’s the connie jean.
13) Which is your favourite jeans shop?
Difficult, House of frasre re vamp denim walls are pretty good as is fenwicks, then donna aida is just amazing because of the service, for eco jeans its equa.
14) Which celebs are currently wearing your jeans?
Lindsay Lohan (see above), Jo Whiley, Anna Friel, Katie Meula, Miquita Oliver, Rachel Bilson, Katie Price, Scarley Johansson.
15) How important big an effect does it have on your sales when a celeb is seen wearing a pair of your jeans?
Worldwide celebs sell products, I wish it was no like this and people bought for quality but celebrity is 905 of all magazines and editorial so it is the main selling tool.
16) Who is your current favourite denim icon (male & female). I am thinking the person who has the most denim style?
Male it would have be Ralph Lauren back in the 70’s, he reminds me of a Steve Mc Queen, no man looked sexier in jeans than him well actually maybe james dean. Woman it would have to be myself, I am always in denim, after me then it would have to be all sexier woman from Cindy Crawford running around in her jeans, to Elle Mcpherson effortlessly chic, to Kate Hudson dress down and Cameron Diaz sexy diva, so all woman in denim worn well and confidently are my icon but I suppose the one who kicked it off for me would have to be Farrah Fawcett and charlies angels.
17) Which person living or dead would you most like to see in a pair of your jeans?
Anyone who would be happy in them, Princess Diana would have to be at the top of the list, then woman I admire any woman who can be a mother, wife, and work so that would have to be people like Tamara Mellon, Angelina Jolie and then even Hillary Clinton, why not, the Patty would work on her, lift up the derrier, tight top thigh and little kick under knee to enloglate her legs, in fact hilary would feel great in Patty I am sure.
18) What is the worst denim crime?
Ripped jeans on the bottom area or knee areas , why, why damage denim I like smart sexy denim.
19) If jeans had not been invented, what would we all be wearing?
Good question, cords maybe, or cotton twill trousers I suspect, it shows what a loss it would be to the wardrobe of any person.
20) And finally, any predictions for denim in 2008/09
A move to more organic hopefully, and more people discovering RUBY and buying more RUBY.
