Denimology

Designer Q & A - City Of Others

This week's Designer Q & A is with the two Steves, first of all the founded Iron Army and now they have moved on to start another denim brand City of Others.

1) Why do you think after 200 years jeans are still one of the most popular items of clothing?
I think that jeans are associated with some pretty radical moments in history, and those stories and iconic images help in creating a culture obsessed around a fabric. When we see those pictures of cultural hero’s like James Dean, Elvis Presley, wearing jeans we are have a parallel to this old world look and I think that gives us a daily experience and an attitude. The fabric alone is really incredible in that it’s one of the only fabrics that wears out beautifully and gets better with age.

2) Last time I counted there were over 50 brands of premium denim jeans, what makes your jeans stand out from the rest?
Out of those 50 brands, our jeans might be half the price. We retail at $100 but that’s not what would make you pick them up. Aesthetically they look, feel and fit like every other premium product on the market, and a killer fit is a must! Another cool aspect of [city of others] is that we designed a way for the jeans to help connect the privileged world we live in, and the needs of others less fortunate. On every hangtag there is a donation code that allows the customer to go online to www.city-of-others.com and enter it in to the [needs of others] page. They can choose between 3 well-researched and approved charities and watch the informative videos on each one before making their decision. We feel like this is an important forward act in socially conscious commerce today.

3) Who do you imagine is a typical customer?
Someone who is tired of other denim brands, wants not just value for their money but also brand depth, and is looking for a community that is doing something different (also if that’s you! Get in touch with us because we wanna hear your thoughts!)

4) Where do you get your inspiration from?
There is never a shortage of inspiration. We live in LA and come into contact with brilliant minds who are progressive and community focused in there thinking. If it’s not clear yet, we are a community and denim is the glue, but it’s not the end of the story. Inspiration for design however is everywhere just go to a show in Silverlake.

6) Are there any essential jeans that everyone should have in their wardrobe?
Dark skinny’s and a pair of beat up, worn in jeans - especially for the summer.

9) What have been your favorite pair of jeans that you have produced?
The [city of others] Stockholm fit is perfect skinny jean it took months to get it just right and it’s by far our favorite jean to date!

10) How many pairs of jeans do you currently own and which are your favorites?
Opperman: I probably have about 20 (I like my raw [city of others]) Dubbeldam: I probably have about 25 (and my fav’s are a pair of [city of others] cut off’s. It’s hot in LA....cut-offs fo’ life)

11) Are you a "wash your jeans after each wear" person or a "wear your jeans for six months before you wash them" person?
We’re a "never wash your jeans" kind of people :/ eeek the truth is out!

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?
Nope, ha ha. Just jeans.

13) Which is your favorite jeans shop?
Villains Vault is a great shop up in San Francisco that is proudly flying the C.O.O. colors

15) How important big an effect does it have on your sales when a celeb is seen wearing a pair of your jeans?
Celebrities have a lot of cultural influence and leverage, so having the right people evangelizing for your brand can really help put a lot of eyes on what you’re doing.

16) Who is your current favorite denim icon (male & female). I am thinking the person who has the most denim style?
See photo above. These guys seem like they got it goin’ on? (Ha ha, JK and no disrespect to Mr. JT)

17) Which person living or dead would you most like to see in a pair of your jeans?
We don’t want to see any dead people wearing our jeans - only living people please.

18) What is the worst denim crime?
See attached photo for questions # 16 (again, JK and no disrespect to Mr. JT although something tells me that he would agree)

19) If jeans had not been invented, what would we all be wearing?
Most likely black umbro shorts!

20) And finally, any predictions for denim in 2008/09?
[city of others] will have a range of basics and a bright colors program. Although our prediction is that pants will get looser and cleaner with a rolled hem for men’s and for women’s a more rock n’ roll distressed jean.