Designer Q & A - Habitual

This week's Designer Q & A is with Lee Holman who is Creative Director at Habitual.

1) Why do you think after 200 years jeans are still one of the most popular items of clothing?
I think Yves Saint-Laurent's quote about jeans perfectly expresses why it continues to be so popular in Today's market. "I have often said that I wish I had invented blue jeans: the most spectacular, the most practical, the most relaxed and nonchalant. They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity - all I hope for in my clothes." YSL

2) Last time I counted there were over 200 brands of premium denim jeans, what makes your jeans stand out from the rest?
HABITUAL is one of the Original LA Premium Denim brands and it has kept the same core principles, which is offering sexy body conscious fits made from luxurious fabrications. With each HABITUAL jean it goes through an intricate labor-intensive wash and dye process and they are handcrafted out of the USA

3) Who do you imagine is a typical customer?
We have a diverse client base due to the rigorous work on making the HABITUAL fit versatile for all body types.

4) Where do you get your inspiration?
HABITUAL always draws on inspiration from the rich heritage of New York or Los Angeles to combine a bicoastal sensibitity to the brand.

5) Which style and wash of your jeans are flying out of the shops the quickest at the moment?
The skinny in graphite grey (see above) and Eventide Blue, also the Boyfriend super destroy in white (see below).

6) Are there any essential jeans that everyone should have in their wardrobe?
A jean that makes you feels sexy

7) What are the first pair of jeans you remember?
The Levi's 501 due to the 1985 Launderette television commercial with Nick Kamen, stonewash jeans never looked so good

8) What have been your favorite pair of jeans that you have owned and why?
It has to be a pair of Levis 501 that I had in my teens, they were like a second skin. But unfortunately I gave them away to an ex Girlfriend.

Boyfriend super destroy in white

9) What have been your favorite pair of jeans that you have produced and why?
I made a 5 pocket jean in my first year at Design College and it gave me a real appreciation and passion for workwear designed garments

10) How many pairs of jeans do you currently own and which are your favorites?
I have a huge collection of old vintage garments; but my favorite jean is from the rose bowl that had been preciously sewn by hand

11) Are you a "wash your jeans after each wear" person or a "wear your jeans for six months before you wash them" person?
I love the idea of not washing my jeans, but after a while it comes down to hygiene smelly jeans are not the greatest

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?
No, I wear my Jeans for all occasions

13) Which is your favorite jeans shop?
The Rose Bowl in Pasadena is the best open-air shop

14) Which celebs are currently wearing your jeans?
Sarah Jessica Parker, Rihanna, Katie Holmes

15) How important big an effect does it have on your sales when a celeb is seen wearing a pair of your jeans?
It has a huge effect on promoting the brand, but more importantly it's just great to see people wearing the HABITUAL jean

16) Who is your current favorite denim icon (male & female). I am thinking the person who has the most denim style?
The style icons that influence me are everyday people I see on the street which have their own original sense of style

17) Which person living or dead would you most like to see in a pair of your jeans?
My 3 yr old son

18) What is the worst denim crime?
Seeing my uncle wearing a pair of Denim Bellbottom flares was a shocking crime

19) If jeans had not been invented, what would we all be wearing?
I wish it would be suits, but I'm sure it will be Tracksuits

20) And finally, any predictions for denim in 2009/10
I think there is going to be a cleansing period in the premium denim market and I hope the consumer evaluates what really makes a premium denim jean.