Designer Q & A - Adriano Goldschmied

The week's Designer Q & A is with Denim Legend Adriano Goldschmied, President, Founder and Creative Director of Goldsign.

1) Why do you think after 200 years jeans are still one of the most popular items of clothing?
Denim has long been a symbol of freedom, and still is.

2) Last time I counted there were over 200 brands of premium denim jeans, what makes your jeans stand out from the rest?
Goldsign is constantly evolving and utilizing the most innovative techniques to offer the finest fabrics, washes and fits. Our customer knows they are they are getting the highest quality in denim when they purchase Goldsign.

3) Who do you imagine is a typical customer?
The Goldsign customer is an independent woman around 30 years of age who pays close attention to fashion but is not a victim of fashion.

4) Where do you get your inspiration from?
Everywhere - vintage, art, music, the street, travel. My surroundings are a constant influence on my designs.

5) Which style and wash of your jeans are flying out of the shops the quickest at the moment?
Our exclusive Super Stretch fabrication is our best-selling wash/fabric at the moment. The Super Stretch fabric is made using Japanese Bemberg fibers that create a style with an extremely soft hand-feel and body hugging appearance. Innovative processing allows for an unheard of 35% stretchability.

6) Are there any essential jeans that everyone should have in their wardrobe?
The Goldsign Jem denim leggings (see above), which are offered in our Super Stretch fabrication, are an essential jean to have. The Jem is a true legging in that it does not include a zipper & button closure or pockets, but instead has an elastic waist band. This is an extremely versatile jean that can be worn day or night, all year long.

7) What are the first pair of jeans you remember?
Corduroy Wranglers in 1968

8) What have been your favourite pair of jeans that you have owned and why?
I can't say I have a particular favorite. There's something different about each pair I've ever owned.

9) What have been your favorite pair of jeans that you have produced and why?
The first pair of Selvage denim I produced in 1989. This was the first time we attempted to replicate the vintage style and it was very exciting.

10) How many pairs of jeans do you currently own and which are your favourites?
I own around 5 pairs of jeans - yes, it's true. I really favor a pair of Maverick's.

11) Are you a "wash your jeans after each wear" person or a "wear your jeans for six months before you wash them" person?
Wash after each wear. I like the feeling of newness and being able to break them in again.

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 don't have jeans for different occasions; I wear jeans for their functionality.

13) Which is your favourite jeans shop?
An Army surplus store where I buy shrink-to-fit 501 Levi's. You purchase them 1 size bigger and then wash them until they shrink to your actual size.

14) Which celebs are currently wearing your jeans?
Sharon Stone, Elizabeth Banks, Rashida Jones, Leslie Mann and Anne Heche to name a few.

15) How important big an effect does it have on your sales when a celeb is seen wearing a pair of your jeans?
Extremely important. Celebrities have a huge effect on what consumers are purchasing because they are seen as style influencers.

16) Who is your current favorite denim icon (male & female)? I am thinking the person who has the most denim style?
Male: Clint Eastwood - he still wears denim well.
Female: Jane Fonda

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

18) What is the worst denim crime?
Not to wear denim.

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

20) And finally, any predictions for denim in 2010
Spring 2010 will focus heavily on clean, draping fabrics for Goldsign.

AndyK: 5/10/09