Designer Interview: Michelle Siwy Of Siwy Denim
This year on Denimology we are going to take you behind the scenes to learn a little more about the people who design the jeans that you are all wearing. We are kicking off with Michelle Siwy, the superhip Founder and Designer of Siwy Denim.
1) How would you describe your personal style?
I went through literally every possible style phase growing up. Now I am a complete mixture of all the genres of my past, but with a more sophisticated, grown-up overtone. The best way to describe my style would be bohemian-goth-glamour.
I have a dark side, but always with a touch of humor.
2) If you could only wear one pair of jeans for the rest of your life which would they be and why?
I would wear Siwy Rose jeans in Kiss wash. I love the length, and how they have broken in over the years. They are super soft, and the way they fall over my ankle feels very dreamy and sexy.
3) When you go shopping, what do you look for in a pair of jeans?
For women, jeans should serve the purpose of making you feel long, lean, and accentuate your curves. I think the most important thing is that your jeans give your bottom a good lift! It's just way cuter. I don't know one guy who finds a flat bottom attractive either.
4) Legging jeans are big this season, how would you wear them?
Legging jeans are versatile and comfortable. Our leggings have denim styling, with pockets on the front or back, so it's easier to wear them with shorter jackets. I like to wear my Siwy jeggings in black (Lush),with a loose white tank top, and a shorter black blazer (often with sequin detail). I top the look off with thigh high suede boots or floppy ankle boots. If I am wearing something that shows my ankle, I'll wrap necklaces or bracelets on them for a little personality and fun.
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Designer Q & A - R13
This week's Designer Q & A is with the mysterious man behind R13 who wishes to remain anonymous for the time being.
1) Why do you think after 200 years jeans are still one of the most popular items of clothing?
I think it's due to a sort of Darwinism effect for clothing. Survival of the fittest. Probably the most significant pieces of clothing man ever invented. We haven't come up with anything that can rival a pair of jeans since it was invented. Functional, timeless and nothing could be sexier.
2) Last time I counted there were over 200 brands of premium denim jeans, what makes your jeans stand out from the rest?
Every brand can be distinctive if it is true to itself. R13 is committed to its vision; it has its own individuality. It speaks to those who understands it.
3) Who do you imagine is a typical customer?
The individual who wants to stand apart from the rest...
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Rising Sun & Co - Profile
Rising Sun & Co. has been producing hand crafted jeans out the back of their shop for the past two years. Rising Sun has a big link back to vintage Americana styles with not one aspect in construction left untouched, whether it be the vintage machines or the turn of the century details on each pair of jeans. We have been lucky enough to catch up with the crew for a company profile.
Why does the world need Rising Sun Denim?
One of our goals is to show the immense quality that traditional American needle work can produce. Some of the heartbreakingly beautiful needle techniques we use have become obscure artifacts of a forgotten past, made unnecessary by more automated and efficient modern sewing machines.
What is the story behind the name?
We are inspired by the optimistic spirit America is founded on, symbolized by the rising sun. So long as the sun rises and we are provided daylight we can labor for our passion. The idea of using the rising sun to represent this optimism came from Benjamin Franklin who witnessed the signing of the United States of America's Constitution. In speaking of the painting of a sun on the chair of the Convention President, George Washington, he had remarked often wondering if the sun was rising or setting and with what must have been profound conviction he was certain it was rising.
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Designer Q & A - Rock & Republic
This week's Designer Q & A is with Michael Ball, CEO and Creative Director of Rock & Republic.
1) Why do you think after 200 years jeans are still one of the most popular items of clothing
Because they are so versatile. Casual to Sexy, Levi's to Rock & Republic.
2) Last time I counted there were over 200 brands of premium denim jeans, what makes your jeans stand out from the rest?
Rock & Republic is Sexy, Comfortable Luxury Denim
3) Who do you imagine is a typical customer?
Our Customer is confident, sexy and fashion-forward.
4) Where do you get your inspiration from?
Music. Our office space is filled with it. You are actually required to know the number 1 and 2 songs of all time by Led Zeppelin.
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Designer Q & A - James Jeans
This week's Designer Q & A is with Seun Lim, Designer of James Jeans.
1) Why do you think after 200 years jeans are still one of the most popular items of clothing?
People have changed much more in so many respects in the last twenty years than the last two hundred years combined. We now have the internet and full-fledged globalization. We really feel like we are connected to the rest of the world. Denim jeans are a classic wardrobe staple that have kept up with such terrific changes. In coming years, jeans will play an even bigger role in our apparel choices. We live on one planet with limited resources but jeans are as natural and organic as they get. People no longer dress according to segregated social classes. Jeans are the ultimate expression of democracy and equality. We are born the same but what we do makes the difference and jeans are thus our highest and lowest common denominator of self-expression. From a fashion trend standpoint, we are seeing a convergence of high fashion and fast fashion and jeans are the obvious connective tissue of choice to harmonize the cultural gap. There are now jeans for every taste and choice. The faster the people change, the faster the jeans must adapt. Jeans will forever be in vogue. They are durable and versatile and ideal for our transforming lifestyles.
2) Last time I counted there were over 300 brands of premium denim jeans, what makes your jeans stand out from the rest?
From day one, James Jeans has been about the fit. And to date, we are sticking to the same program as there is still much to improve in our journey towards the land of perfect fit. Our fit is both comfortable and sexy at the same time. That's a duality hard to play out in co-existence. We give out and relax where we have to provide the comfort and we suck in and pull in where we have to create the sexy shape. Jeans by definition are tightly fitting on a person. How we can mold the shape of the body to create that sexy yet invitingly comfortable fit is our specialty. Our brand ethos has been three S's: Sophisticated, Subtle and Sexy.
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Designer Q & A - True Religion Brand Jeans
This week's Designer Q & A is with Jeff Lubell, Founder of True Religion Brand Jeans.
1) Why do you think after 200 years jeans are still one of the most popular items of clothing?
After all these years, jeans have become iconic. They are a casual wardrobe staple, just like the black pant is a dressy wardrobe staple.
2) Last time I counted there were over 200 brands of premium denim jeans, what makes your jeans stand out from the rest?
We don't follow trends. We make innovative, trend setting product every season. Our jeans don't look like any other jeans out there in the market. Everything about our jeans is special: from the fabric, to the wash, to the stitching, to the hardware. We pay attention to every little detail. I always say "it's all about the product!"
3) Who do you imagine is a typical customer?
That's a hard question to answer. We are in 50 countries around the world and we sell everyone from toddlers, to girlie girls, to tomboys, to soccer stars in Europe and celebrities in Hollywood, to older gentlemen (like Larry King).
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