Denimology

Rising Sun & Co - Profile

Rising Sun & Co. has been producing hand crafted jeans out the back of their shop for the past two years. Rising Sun has a big link back to vintage Americana styles with not one aspect in construction left untouched, whether it be the vintage machines or the turn of the century details on each pair of jeans. We have been lucky enough to catch up with the crew for a company profile.

Why does the world need Rising Sun Denim?

One of our goals is to show the immense quality that traditional American needle work can produce. Some of the heartbreakingly beautiful needle techniques we use have become obscure artifacts of a forgotten past, made unnecessary by more automated and efficient modern sewing machines.

What is the story behind the name?

We are inspired by the optimistic spirit America is founded on, symbolized by the rising sun. So long as the sun rises and we are provided daylight we can labor for our passion. The idea of using the rising sun to represent this optimism came from Benjamin Franklin who witnessed the signing of the United States of America's Constitution. In speaking of the painting of a sun on the chair of the Convention President, George Washington, he had remarked often wondering if the sun was rising or setting and with what must have been profound conviction he was certain it was rising.

Designer Q & A - Rock & Republic

This week's Designer Q & A is with Michael Ball, CEO and Creative Director of Rock & Republic.

1) Why do you think after 200 years jeans are still one of the most popular items of clothing
Because they are so versatile. Casual to Sexy, Levi's to Rock & Republic.

2) Last time I counted there were over 200 brands of premium denim jeans, what makes your jeans stand out from the rest?
Rock & Republic is Sexy, Comfortable Luxury Denim

3) Who do you imagine is a typical customer?
Our Customer is confident, sexy and fashion-forward.

4) Where do you get your inspiration from?
Music. Our office space is filled with it. You are actually required to know the number 1 and 2 songs of all time by Led Zeppelin.

Designer Q & A - James Jeans

This week's Designer Q & A is with Seun Lim, Designer of James Jeans.

1) Why do you think after 200 years jeans are still one of the most popular items of clothing?
People have changed much more in so many respects in the last twenty years than the last two hundred years combined. We now have the internet and full-fledged globalization. We really feel like we are connected to the rest of the world. Denim jeans are a classic wardrobe staple that have kept up with such terrific changes. In coming years, jeans will play an even bigger role in our apparel choices. We live on one planet with limited resources but jeans are as natural and organic as they get. People no longer dress according to segregated social classes. Jeans are the ultimate expression of democracy and equality. We are born the same but what we do makes the difference and jeans are thus our highest and lowest common denominator of self-expression. From a fashion trend standpoint, we are seeing a convergence of high fashion and fast fashion and jeans are the obvious connective tissue of choice to harmonize the cultural gap. There are now jeans for every taste and choice. The faster the people change, the faster the jeans must adapt. Jeans will forever be in vogue. They are durable and versatile and ideal for our transforming lifestyles.

2) Last time I counted there were over 300 brands of premium denim jeans, what makes your jeans stand out from the rest?
From day one, James Jeans has been about the fit. And to date, we are sticking to the same program as there is still much to improve in our journey towards the land of perfect fit. Our fit is both comfortable and sexy at the same time. That's a duality hard to play out in co-existence. We give out and relax where we have to provide the comfort and we suck in and pull in where we have to create the sexy shape. Jeans by definition are tightly fitting on a person. How we can mold the shape of the body to create that sexy yet invitingly comfortable fit is our specialty. Our brand ethos has been three S's: Sophisticated, Subtle and Sexy.

Designer Q & A - True Religion Brand Jeans

This week's Designer Q & A is with Jeff Lubell, Founder of True Religion Brand Jeans.

1) Why do you think after 200 years jeans are still one of the most popular items of clothing?
After all these years, jeans have become iconic. They are a casual wardrobe staple, just like the black pant is a dressy wardrobe staple.

2) Last time I counted there were over 200 brands of premium denim jeans, what makes your jeans stand out from the rest?
We don't follow trends. We make innovative, trend setting product every season. Our jeans don't look like any other jeans out there in the market. Everything about our jeans is special: from the fabric, to the wash, to the stitching, to the hardware. We pay attention to every little detail. I always say "it's all about the product!"

3) Who do you imagine is a typical customer?
That's a hard question to answer. We are in 50 countries around the world and we sell everyone from toddlers, to girlie girls, to tomboys, to soccer stars in Europe and celebrities in Hollywood, to older gentlemen (like Larry King).

Album Jeans - Designer Interview

With the success of the label Maise already under her belt, former Top Shop designer Claire Greaves has started a new venture, Album Jeans. Seeing a gap in the market for well priced, understated jeans, Claire has created Album which is due for release in the first half of 2010. We are lucky enough to have Claire take some time out to answer a few questions on her new venture.

Why does the world need Album Jeans?

Album jeans are your faves from the get go. They are soft and comfortable and adapt to their owners style instantly because of their simplicity. The world needs good quality well priced understated and under branded denim

What is the story behind the name?

Album means a collection of things, often your favourite things, a great pair of jeans, an awesome fitting t shirt. People over look these things sometimes but they make you feel good about yourself and show your personality... just as an album does, whether it is music, photos or clothes.

Where are you based?

We are based in Sydney Australia

Stefano Aldighieri - Another Design Studio Interview

Stefano Aldighieri designs jeans for some of the worlds biggest denim companies. His company Another Design Studio in LA is one of only a hand full of companies selected to show at the denim trade event The Kingpins. We are lucky enough to have Stefano answer some questions for us.

What does "Another design studio" do?

* We offer a number of services, ranging from design (concept, research and development of fabric, trim, patterns, washes), to branding, marketing, positioning, web development for textile or apparel companies and brands.

How did it start for you? What drew you to the world of denim?

* I grew up in Northern Italy, in an area where textiles and garment manufacturing were very present; I studied Architecture, then Business; worked in the music industry first, and then gradually I got attracted to the world of jeans (it is a long story, we would need a whole lot more space to tell it all!)

You pretty much have a dream resume for any denim head in the world having worked for the likes of Levi's, 7 for all mankind and Hudson to name a few. What would be your first point of advice for anyone trying to get into the world of denim design?

* From the outside, denim looks very simple, it is just a basic cotton fabric with a blue warp and a white fill yarn, with very humble origins. However, because of the nature of its component, it can become very complex and it has to be studied thoroughly in order to understand it and make the best out of it. I would recommend studying the fabric and then constantly researching vintage garments.