Designer Q & A - Flux

As shown previously on Denimology, Australian menswear label Flux are making waves on the international market. Their new collection "VICTORIE" is flying out of stores as we type. Denis and Julian from Flux have taken some time out to do a Denimology - Designer Q & A.

1) Why do you think after 200 years jeans are still one of the most popular items of clothing?

Jeans are versatile, dressed up or down. They came from a workwear background, then the rebels and rockers got 'em, and if the rebels and rockers say it's cool, who's gonna argue with them!
Especially for us guys, what the else are you going to wear? That's what FLUX make - jeans and tee's. That's all you need.

2) Last time I counted there were over 200 brands of premium denim jeans, what makes your jeans stand out from the rest?

We hand treat each and every pair of jeans we put out. So that means no mass productions and no overseas imports - it's all made and treated here in Melbourne by us. Our jeans are very simple in that there are no frills, no bells and whistles - just great fits, the best washes and extreme attention to the fine details. And the branding is subtle and clever.

3) Who do you imagine is a typical customer?

A guy who wants to have a better product and will pay the extra for it.

4) Where do you get your inspiration from?

We saw what's out there and realised we can do it better. Inspiration comes from strange places, we are both rock guys so you'd find our designs reflect that in someway.

5) Which style and wash of your jeans are flying out of the shops the quickest at the moment?

The HETFIELD FUCKING SKINNY jeans with holes, and the BOGAN BLACK STRETCH also with holes in the knees.

HETFIELD FUCKING SKINNY

6) Are there any essential jeans that everyone should have in their wardrobe?

I love my raw indigo jeans that are gradually getting worn in. They are hard work but the results are amazing.

7) What are the first pair of jeans you remember?

'Faberge' stretch jean red cast indigo jeans. Circa early 80's. We have a tribute to them in our range called '82 BLUE FUCKING SKINNY STRETCH.

8) What have been your favorite pair of jeans that you have owned and why?

I'm not that sentimental, I love new jeans, because the fits are better. Every season I update.

9) What have been your favourite pair of jeans that you have produced and why?

The HETFIELD BLUE FUCKING SKINNY LEG because they are a great fit and color and also the wear and tear is really well designed.

10) How many pairs of jeans do you currently own and which are your favorites?

I couldn't tell you how many I own, but there are boxes and boxes of them. I had a wardrobe designed at home with all special length cavities to hang all the current styles I am wearing from butcher hooks so I can see them all, it's like a denim store.

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 don't wash them too much, if they start to get nasty I'll air them out. Never wash the raw denim, only the faded stuff.

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'm really bad, I just wear the favorites all the time. Gardening, painting, posh dinners... whatever. People will say "I like your new season, how do you simulate all that dirt?" To which I reply "actually that really is dirt!".

13) Which is your favourite jeans shop?

Anyone stocking FLUX! No really the best I saw was a little underground place store in Tokyo, where they were customizing each pair of jeans to order. The hardwear was all rusted and the jeans were presented as art. A lot of love was taken. But I don't remember the name of the store or how to find it. Damn.

14) Which celebs are currently wearing your jeans?

We don't have celebs here in Melbourne. I though they all lived in Hollywood.

15) How important big an effect does it have on your sales when a celeb is seen wearing a pair of your jeans?

We really aren't the sort of brand that people wear because they want to look famous. I hope our guys are better than that.

16) Who is your current favourite denim icon (male & female). I am thinking the person who has the most denim style?

Cliff Burton from Metallica gets a nomination for his small denim jacket and original 70's flares.

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

Iggy Pop would wear our product well.

18) What is the worst denim crime?

The over sprayed and treated cheap brand denim, that we see way too much of. Generally if it's from china it ain't any good.

19) If jeans had not been invented, what would we all be wearing?

Really nice underwear!

20) And finally, any predictions for denim in 2009/10

Still skinny, still torn and also some 70's mid blues.