Interview with Jason Trotzuk, designer of Fidelity Denim

Today we are featuring an interview the DenimBlog.com had with Fidelity Denim designer, Jason Trotzuk.  Fidelity is a big premium denim brand in Canada, and its begun making its way to the U.S. for some time now, with many celebrity fans.

DenimBlog: So tell us about Fidelity.  Why should people buy a pair of Fidelity’s if they are die hard fans of brands like Rock & Republic or 7 for All Mankind?

Jason: Fidelity Women’s is a luxury jeans brand for the contemporary modern women. Focusing on the 3 F’s… fabric, fit and finish.  Fidelity used the best fabrics, impeccable fits and amazing finishes. We are devoted to making the best jeans on the market.  Fidelity Men’s…”the Modern day original”… is based of the 3 F principal, but is for the “Original Blue Jeans” man. A classic jean for true denim wearers…. Vintage washes and details, nothing flashy…NO decked out pockets or crazy stitch detail, just great fitting premium jeans.  Why should people buy a pair of Fidelity’s over the other brands??? So much of the high-end denim market has been based on hype…all fluff and no foundation. Fidelity’s focus is always on the customer and making an incredible and timeless pair of jeans…end of story…we focus on doing things right where others wrong… details on fabric fit and finish where others fall short…

DB: We hear Fidelity is known for its fit.  Give us some pointers on picking the right type of jeans for your body type, which styles of Fidelity you recommend our readers try? 

Jason: All of our styles/fits are created with purpose…whether everyday jeans or fashion jeans, we have many different fits but here are a few of the essentials:
HYACINTH – 5 Pocket Trouser jeans…wide leg mid rise…fits all body types…always dressy!!!
BELLADONNA- Mid Rise Boot Cut…Most versatile cut for a woman…The Belladonna medium rise is the perfect rise @ 8.5”, the thigh is slimming and the boot cut open allows for both dressy or casual occasions.
THE LUX - flare,  Do some damage with this cut…clean tailor details on a 5-pocket  jean with a long lean flare.

 Again, there are many bodies too numerous to mention, but our specialty is our fit… many customers swear by our “uplifting” qualities and Fidelity has been coined as the “butt bra jean”.

DB: Can anyone wear skinny jeans or should only smaller sized women go there?

Jason:  I think anyone can wear skinny jeans…if the designer knows how to properly cut the shape of the leg…a skinny can fit anyone…that’s what makes Fidelity skinnies different… I think of skinny as more of an accessory that goes with your top and shoes or boots…sure there are the toothpick women who can wear them any way imaginable.

DB: What do you see being the next big style in denim for 2008/2009? i.e. Are skinnies still in, or do we stick to high rise wide leg styles, or something else?

Jason: I think the brand will be the next big style…we have bounced all over the fashion map with high, low, skinny, wide…the next big style may be the high low skinny wide the way things are going…ha ha.  It is time to go back to basics…not in terms of style but in terms of a brand having clarity to capture the quintessential look and feeling that is denim. A good brand designs for its customer and if its focus is always the customer then it will never go out of style and will always be relevant!!!!  Having said all that…if I was pick a great look for Fall ‘08….it would be the lean mean classic and clean straight leg!!!

DB: Do you see lighter colored jeans becoming big in the denim industry for 2008/2009?  That’s what are we hearing, a throw back to the 1990’s.  And what about brightly colored denim – has that trend come and gone?

Jason:  We forget that when colored denim was in back in the early 90’s, it was inexpensive!  Everyone tries to bring it back and it never sticks, if it is cheap and disposable I think colored denim has a chance…I would rather see non denim pinstripes and trouser looks in the fashion market…that is always hot!!!  Brightly colored denim…hmmm, no!

DB: Is premium denim all about the fit and fabric or the logo on the pockets? 

Jason:  It is all the above, anyone can find a jean maker in LA and have them produce a high priced jean (believe me, almost anyone does)…doesn’t mean it’s high end! There are only a handful of great denim designers.  Designing denim is very complicated and a good denim designer must spend the same amount of time as a designer who puts together a fashion sportswear collection…the challenge is to put the right denim with the right wash, with the right topstitch, with the right packaging, with the right pocket with the right fit etc…and that’s just one style…now do it for 80 more styles….a designer who has mastery over all those aspects is a real denim designer!

DB: Why should someone who’s used to buying less expensive denim try a pair of Fidelity jeans?  And does premium denim necessarily equal better quality?

Jason:  Premium should totally mean better quality, better fit, better wash, better fabric, better detailing, better hardware, better everything…all these things go into a premium jean….to cut any corners means a compromise in quality.   Fabric suppliers are always sending me a cheaper version of a high end denim telling me it’s exactly the same…and it never is!!! It never fits the same, it never washes the same, it never looks the same…

DB: What is your favorite style for men and for women of Fidelity’s?

Jason: MEN’S: My favorite style is the Slim Jim, it’s lean, mean and will kick you in the ass if you don’t watch it.
 WOMEN’S: out of the many styles, the Hyacinth 5-pocket wide is still my favorite. Looks great on anyone…always a classic never goes out of style.

DB: What celebs are currently big fans of Fidelity jeans?

Jason:  Some of the names include Heidi Montag, Blake Lively, Kristen Cavalleri, Eva Longoria, Demi Moore, Virginia Madsen, Debra Messing, Vanessa Minillo, Susie Castillo, Victoria Recano and a ton of others.

DB: What online stores can our readers pick up a pair of Fidelity’s in?

Jason: Check our website – FidelityDenim.com for online and retail stores but TheDenimLoft.com has a great selection.

DB:  What brands besides Fidelity might we spot you in – what are your favorites?

Jason: Levi’s… where it all started, they are the “Old original” and Fidelity is the “New Original”.

DB: How should readers care for their premium denim?  Do you go for month’s without washing yours like some people do? 

Jason: Wash them sparingly…cold water wash, hand to dry….dry clean is also an option.

Check out some pictures of Fidelity’s latest line below!