Designer Q & A - Genetic Denim
Jessica Simpson in Genetic Denim True Leggings in Zinc
This week's Designer Q&A is with Ali Fatourechi, Creative Director of Genetic Denim.
1) Why do you think after 200 years jeans are still one of the most popular items of clothing?
- Jeans are the only article of clothing that transcends seasons and borders, it’s timeless.
2) Last time I counted there were over 50 brands of premium denim jeans, what makes your jeans stand out from the rest?
- For me it’s all about fabrication and fit and really understanding the shapes and contours of different body types. We use fabrics from all over the world for specific styles taking into account how it will mold to a silhouette. I feel other denim brands answer to their jeans not fitting is to go up a size. I spent one year traveling the country going to 42 cities in search of the perfect fitting jean. The one thing I can say with the utmost certainty is that everyone is different in shape and size so instead of telling my customers to go up a size I designed the Recessive Gene for the slender girl and the Dominant Gene for the curvier girl. We separate ourselves by looking at a men’s and women’s silhouette and making jeans based on my research and how I saw 26,000 people try on different pairs of jeans.
3) Who do you imagine is a typical customer?
- A confident customer that’s secure in his/her own skin. The name Genetic and the concept adhere to women’s and men’s genetic composition that makes them unique in this world, and that’s what truly sets everyone apart. I go from basic to fashion pieces it just depends on how that person is feeling at that specific moment when choosing what to wear. It’s about the person not the clothes.
4) Where do you get your inspiration from?
- I draw my inspiration from 1970s’ surf. I think that era in denim exudes a laid back yet sexy and androgynous sense of style.
5) Which style and wash of your jeans are flying out of the shops the quickest at the moment?
- I cannot say just one. These styles are equally blowing out; our Carbon Sailor, true leggings in Zinc, Silver, and Onyx and our Recessive and Dominant bootcut in Carbon, Nitro and Cobalt.
6) Are there any essential jeans that everyone should have in their wardrobe?
- I think everyone should have a worn out pair of jeans that’s a part of them. A jean that they’ve had experiences with. I think it’s very sexy when a woman wears a worn out pair of jeans with heels and a fitted shirt with a blazer, sophisticated yet edgy…leaves you wondering what those jeans have done.
7) What are the first pair of jeans you remember?
- My 501’s
8) What has been your favorite pair of jeans that you have owned?
- Genetics, my Recessive bootcut in our Lead wash
Lindsay Lohan in Genetic Denim Sailor Pants
9) What has been your favorite pair of jeans that you have produced?
- Our twisted seam sailor pant (see above) in our Cobalt wash that hits store at the end of May - very 1970’s Mia Farrow
10) How many pairs of jeans do you currently own and which are your favorites?
- I currently have 28 pairs of jeans in my closet. My favorites include my Recessive Straight leg in Zinc and Chalk and my Recessive bootcut in Lead and RNA
11) Are you a "wash your jeans after each wear" person or a "wear your jeans for six months before you wash them" person?
- No I firmly believe in wearing your jeans for six months then washing. That’s when the true characteristics are seen from your wear and tear. After 6 months when you wash them the whisker and fading that your body creates are very pronounced. This is when you can call them your own jeans it’s got the highs and lows in color that the silhouette of your body creates.
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 definitely have jeans for occasions. I wear my clean Recessive straight legs with a blazer and high top Converse All Stars for more formal occasions. I wear my distressed vintage inspired washes with high-top Nike Dunks with a t-shirt to chill during the day. And at night I wear my Recessive bootcut jeans in RNA and Lead with vintage boots and a button down or a cashmere sweater.
13) Which is your favorite jeans shop?
- Fred Segal, Kitson, Denim Doctors, Scoop and Intermix
Jennifer Lopez in Genetic Denim True Leggings in Zinc
14) Which celebs are currently wearing your jeans?
- Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Jessica and Ashley Simpson, Kiera Knightley, Lindsay Lohan, Mary Kate Olsen
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 an initial affect and helps at the onset of a business. I grew up between NY and LA and was fortunate enough to grow up with friends that people look at as trendsetters that have supported me from day one in all my ventures. When they wear our jeans it sets the initial buzz around the line but ultimately it’s all about fit. They helped get Genetic recognized but my customers dictate my place in this business.
16) Who is your current favorite denim icon (male & female). I am thinking the person who has the most denim style?
- Sienna Miller and Brad Pitt
17) Which character (male & female) from a movie had the most denim style?
- Mia Farrow and Fara Fawcett from Charlie’s Angel and Robert Redford
18) Which person living or dead would you most like to see in a pair of your jeans?
- James Dean and Jackie Onassis
19) If jeans had not been invented, what would we all be wearing?
- 1950’s heavy constructed twill slacks and skirts
20) And finally, any predictions for denim in 2007
- 07’ is all about volume and true denim washes. Wide leg sailor pants and bell bottoms are more flattering because of the break from the knee down to the hem. My favorite era, the 70’s look is going to be big for 07’.
| AndyK: 9/05/07 |
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knee high converse
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Sascha
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