Designer Q & A - Radcliffe Denim
1) Why do you think after 200 years jeans are still one of the most popular items of clothing?
- I think Denim is such an iconic and versatile fabric that it can just keep re-inventing itself. At least every decade it is used in a totally different way - just think 10 years ago the concept of premium denim did not even exist.
2) Last time I counted there were over 50 brands of premium denim jeans, what makes your jeans stand out from the rest?
- Many jeans brands are approaching denim in a traditional 'california lifestyle' approach. I was bored and tired of endless blue, boot cut jeans and wanted something different - something more refined. Being British, Radcliffe comes at Denim from a totally different perspective. Our background is in traditional Savile Row tailoring - so while we are obsessed with denim we use it in a very unexpected way - for instance our Denim Trafalgar trench coat is a very traditional tailored coat but cut in one of the most innovative denims it is transformed into something very contemporary
3) Who do you imagine is a typical customer?
- Radcliffe is for a very modern woman, who is very confident in her style. She appreciates luxury and impeccable fitting clothes - but loves the energy and attitude of denim.
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Designer Q & A - Dr Denim Jeans
1) Why do you think after 200 years jeans are still one of the most popular items of clothing?
- Firstly, casual clothing has become increasingly accepted in a lot of social settings, which of course has to do with the entry of designer jeans in the 80s. Since there’s continuous R&D going into denim production, there is constant evolution and an ever increasing variety of things you can do with denim – more so than on any other type of fabric. This keeps denim interesting and sets it apart from other types of fabrics.
2) Last time I counted there were over 50 brands of premium denim jeans, what makes your jeans stand out from the rest?
- Quirky Scandinavian design at value-for-money pricing available only at selected high-end retailers. That’s quite unique.
3) Who do you imagine is a typical customer?
- We make jeans that we like and that we hope others like as well. We keep things very down-to-earth, and I believe that’s a strong reason why our jeans appeal to a variety of people who have one thing in common: they know a good pair of jeans when they see them.
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Designer Q & A - Paige Premium Denim
1) Why do you think after 200 years jeans are still one of the most popular items of clothing?
- I think jeans are still so popular today because they are so versatile. We can wear them just about everywhere! Dressed up, dressed down denim today is comfortable and lasts a long time. It truly is a staple in any wardrobe!
2) Last time I counted there were over 50 brands of premium denim jeans, what makes your jeans stand out from the rest?
- I think that Paige premium denim is a stand out among the crowd because of its fit! There is truly a jean for just about any body type. The classic, clean look of Paige premium denim is not overpowering. You wear the jean, it does not wear you!
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Designer Q & A - Sass & Bide
1) Why do you think after 200 years jeans are still one of the most popular items of clothing?
- I think they have been accepted as a co-ordinate/basic after their long history, and whilst mainly indigo in various guises, I believe their indigo-ness and even their fade thru dark incarnations are now accepted as part of a monochromatic palette... therefore they work with everything. Their basic-ness makes them an easy wardrobe staple. They don't have to clash with an ensemble, they blend if necessary. Jeans wear and age with us, the fact is their wear is an accepted seductive quality to us. The fact that historically the jean has been a figurehead of celebrities though cinema, music, era's of revolt and fashion's own whims ensure they have paid their dues as a stalwart of our attire, and those same incarnations give great footholds for us as we develop our fabrics and styling for the now and the future.
2) Last time I counted there were over 50 brands of premium denim jeans, what makes your jeans stand out from the rest?
- I believe sass & bide has its own high end footing, and whilst a relative newcomer in the grand scale of brands, we aren't any newcomer to those that have had their eyes on great denims for the last near decade. Our brand has always been one for the girl that has something and wants to show it. sass & bide understand a good cut enhances everything about the wearer's own personality, and will attract attention to them in the way anyone does great art or aesthetics. We cut our jeans on real figures, and test them so our fabrics and our make stands up to the stretching out in a day's wear that most jeans companies don't attend to enough. We use techniques that cost a little more (fitted waistbands, cut on the straight, so waistbands don't sag out), we ensure our girls have jeans that fit even those blessed with forever legs, and we are always working on silhouettes that are going to be the next big "it fit". When Heidi and Sarah-Jane commenced the label with their first jeans, girls immediately noticed their style, and the zeitgeist of the brand made inroads amongst the cognescenti and the aspirational alike.... and we still cater to the leaders in the premium denim market. Our range seasonally scours the offerings from the best mills of the world, and then we develop our finishes and fits, and that offering always captures some of the leading edges the rest of the market often can't cater to. We are always striving to offer a little edge, yet realizing the best pair of jeans is one that is able to be worn every day under a variety of guises.
3) Who do you imagine is a typical sass & bide customer?
- A girl woman that loves to look great, very knowledgable of the market's great brands and directions that haven't yet become trends. Beauty is a quality she lives with, not aspires to, and we are part of how she presents her beauty. Our customer also appreciates fun, and can laugh at a feeling, not being precious. Any woman that appreciates time spent on fit and the finest attention to detail will give her a look that will be beautiful, sexy and mostly always svelte. Our girls are out at the clubs, in the shows, shopping the best stores, eating at the best restaurants....digging the new music from the pop girls to the alternative folkie and rock boys.
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Designer Q&A - 18th Amendment
1) Why do you think after 200 years jeans are still one of the most popular items of clothing?
- Denim holds history, it's iconic. At various points in history jeans have made certain statements eg: for over a century they were workwear, the uniform of the working class. In the 50s they and 60s they represented anti-establishment rocker and beat cultures. Later on they were key in the punk rock movement. Jeans are the most versatile and durable of all wardrobe staples. They stand the test of time both physically and in our psyche. One can never underestimate the influence nostalgia has on what we wear.
2) Last time I counted there were over 50 brands of premium denim jeans, what makes your jeans stand out from the rest?
- 18th Amendment jeans have a fashion focus not shared by the majority of denim labels. Our fabrics, finishings and detailing also have a unique point of view in an overly generic denim market.
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Designer Q & A - Superfine
1) Why do you think after 200 years jeans are still one of the most popular items of clothing?
- L: They're the easiest and cutest thing to wear. You can dress them up or down.
F : They're sexy without being too 'try hard'.
2) Last time I counted there were over 50 brands of premium denim jeans, what makes your jeans stand out from the rest?
- L: Our identity is strong & our imagery is important to us as it creates a whole look. Our backgrounds make Superfine a little more "fashion denim" I guess..
F: We're London too.
3) Who do you imagine is a typical customer?
- L: I think people with a little bit of a sense of style/fashion. I hope there's a good mix - all backgrounds, ages and sizes.
F: They've probably got a bit of Rock & Roll going on.
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