Designer Interview: Rebekka Bach, G-Star RAW Women
Continuing my interview of G-Star RAW designers, here is Rebekka Bach, responsible for G-Star's women's collection.
Q: What is the first pair of jeans you remember?
A: Probably my father's worn out Wrangler jeans - fitting far too high... After that, a pair of Levi's 501 jeans - I saw the older students at school wearing them
rolled up at the bottom and thought, "I can't wait till I'm old enough to wear a pair
of those!"
Q: What is your favorite pair of jeans that you have owned and why?
A: From the G-star jeans collection, a pair of basic jeans called Midge Skinny (see thumbnail below). This is a perfectly fitted style. They rescued me so many times. Those days when I didn't know what to wear and the days when I didn't feel like wearing anything - my Midge's always saved me! I have had several fabrics and washes, can't have enough of those.
Q: How many pairs of jeans do you currently own and which ones do you wear the most?
A: I have just moved, so this has been a good excuse to "clean up" my closet. I probably own some 100 pairs of jeans at the moment. Right now, my favorites are G-Star's Low-T Loose Tapered jeans in a raw, worn-in finish, which are cool paired with brogues and a classic white shirt.
Q: Which is your favorite jeans shop?
A: Christophe Loiron and his fantastic store called "Mr. Freedom", in Los Angeles.
Q: Who is your current favorite denim icon. I am thinking, the person
who has the most denim style?
A: My mentor and godfather, Pierre Morisset, who has been the head designer at G-Star for the past 20 years.
Q: Which person, living or dead, would you most like to see in a pair of your jeans?
A: Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel - she was one of the first women in pants, which was at that time considered very masculine. At the same time, she was also known for her elegance and perception of modern classics.
Q: Having previewed lots of jeans companies, I still think that G-Star is one , if not THE, most forward collection. As I told you when we met, I was impressed by the vast choice of exciting jeans and denim in general. What is your explanation?
A: a) G- Star is a super specialist denim brand operating in a mass denim market;
b) G-Star introduced 3-D construction techniques in its designs, thereby offering
maximum comfort;
c) G-Star is "Just the Product" ... functional classics with a luxury edge. G-Star products portray denim craftsmanship, with a consistent signature that represents both street and luxury;
d) G-Star is inspired by the "unexpected combinations" philosophy - chic & RAW, street wear & couture, denim & silk;
e) G-Star has deep roots in the creative worlds of art, design, music and movies and maintains relationships with the iconic talent that share the brand's philosophy; e.g. Marc Newson, Dennis Hopper, Benicio del Toro and Liv Tyler;
f) G-Star is RAW. G-Star is real!
Designer Interview: Remco de Nijs, G-Star RAW Men
We have been featuring lots of G-Star here on denimology. And when I talked to the designers, Rebekka and Remco, at G-Star's fashion show here in NYC, the idea of introducing them to you began building up and here is what Remco de Nijs, Collection Stylist, tells us:
Q: What essential jeans should every woman/man have in their wardrobe?
A: For G-Star that's an Arc Pant (see thumbnail below). This denim features a low crotch and straight hip, with an asymmetric tapered leg that "turns" around the human legs, thanks to twisted side seams and inseams. This creates a 3D silhouette in which the pant follows the natural shape of the leg.
Q: What is the first pair of jeans you remember?
A: That would probably be a pair of OshKosh denim that I wore when I was around six.
Q: What is your favourite pair of jeans that you have owned and why?
A: For me, that's the Arc Pant. It's not only a really comfortable fit but also a
completely new silhouette.
Q: How many pairs of jeans do you currently own and which ones do you wear the most?
A: I think I have around 60 pairs of denim. Of course I have all the highlights from the G-Star denim collection, past and present. At the moment I mainly wear denims from the RAW Essentials program. RAW Essentials really is the top end of G-Star's denim offering, with selvedge denim from the best Japanese looms which are washed in the finest Italian laundries. They look like vintage denim couture but have a lot of high tech details. There's an Arc Pant and a Lumber Pant in the RAW Essentials program which I wear a lot.
Q: Which is your favourite jeans shop?
A: Tenue de Nimes in Amsterdam.
Q: Who is your current favourite denim icon. I am thinking the person who has the most denim style?
A: Pierre Morisset, G-Star's head designer. He has his own style when it comes to denim and isn't afraid to experiment, while keeping the heritage of the denim in mind.
Q: Which person living or dead would you most like to see in a pair of your jeans?
A: Steve McQueen, one of the coolest and most authentic actors ever.
Q: Having previewed lots of jeans companies, I still think that G-Star has one of, if not THE, most forward collection. As I told you when we met at Fashion Week, I was impressed by G-Star's vast choice of exciting jeans and denim pieces. What is your explanation?
A: G-Star has a few pillars on which our designs are based. These are traditional tailoring, craftsmanship, innovation and functionality, among others. This results in various denim fits, silhouettes, washings and details, so we can offer a very broad choice range.
We will follow up with Rebekka Bach, G-Star's designer responsible for the women's collection.
Designer Q & A - Jennifer Herrema
Few people can take who they are and translate that into fashion without losing their integrity trying to appeal to the masses. When Jennifer Herrema and Volcom got together to collaborate it was a match made in heaven. The rocker chick shared her thoughts on denim and has become my new email friend. I can't wait to go to an upcoming Volcom event in L.A. and meet her in person. She's a strong kick-ass woman with a cult following, great sense of humor and has put forth a denim line with Volcom that is a reflection of all that she is. You can see more of their collaboration here.
1). Why do you think after 200 years jeans are still one of the most popular items of clothing?
Because they are so classic, utilitarian,versatile,unisex, and acceptable.
2). Who do you imagine is a typical customer?
Haaaaa.....people (men and women) with Great taste who are savvy enough to know that purchasing the Volcom brand over newer and most likely short lived trendy denim "fashion" lines is a cool utilitarian and timeless choice.
3). Where do you get your inspiration from?
Arts and crafts and my own style that evolved out of necessity
4). Which style and wash of your jeans are flying out of the shops the quickest at the moment?
I was just told that the dep jeans and shorts and the black lace up slingshot jeans are all sold through.....very exciting
Continued (with more photos)...
Designer Q&A : Level 99
This weeks Question & Answer is with Susan Woo of Level 99 denim whom we've interviewed before and decided to catch up with and see what stands the same and what has changed in the last couple of years in her world of denim.
1) Why do you think after 200 years jeans are still one of the most popular items of clothing?
The dominance of American pop culture is prevalent here. The very influential culture rears its head especially in fashion and denim is such an iconic staple in American fashion.
2) Last time I counted there were over 200 brands of premium denim jeans, what makes your jeans stand out from the rest?
Premium quality, style and fit at a good price. Nothing in the collection retails over $100, but you would never know based off of the quality and fabrics used. When we lowered price points we definitely did not sacrifice the most important aspects of a pair of jeans: fit, fabric, and quality.
3) Who do you imagine is a typical customer?
A busy, modern woman who wants versatility and effortless elegance to transition from day to night.
Continued (with more photos)...
Designer Q & A - Charley 5.0
This week's Designer Q & A is with Sue, Sales Director at Charley 5.0.
1) Why do you think after 200 years jeans are still one of the most popular items of clothing?
#1 Comfort , #2 goes with everything
2) Last time I counted there were over 200 brands of premium denim jeans, what makes your jeans stand out from the rest?
We're not your basic 5 pkt jean, we're a collection of fashionable items whose main fabrication is denim
3) Who do you imagine is a typical customer?
A Savvy Fashionista
4) Where do you get your inspiration from?
Girls / Women on the street. Everyday people.
Continued (with more photos)...
PSFK Interview Evisu, CEO - Scott Morrison
Trend website PSFK paid a visit to Evisu's loft in NYC to visit CEO, Scott Morrison and ask a few questions about how the brand is evolving now that he is at the helm.
