New Line: Earl Pickens makes “Made in France” denim collection

Famed designer, Earl Pickens, who has designed for denim lables like Lee Cooper has designed the “Uri Pickens” line which will feature couture looks that have hefty, $2,500 price tags.  Despite his new collection, Pickens is not a stranger to denim design. He also designed denim for Castelbajac, which was unable to survive the economic downturn after the September 11th terrorist attacks. However, Pickens describes his rational behind this couture price tag, “When Tom Ford did denim with floral, there was an explosion everywhere. Denim became luxurious,” Pickens said. “Then in 2000, along came rap and denim got huge, literally, the pants were huge. We want to make it a little bit luxurious, not in the five-pocket sense. The idea was a collection that’s tailored, with beautiful suits made in denim.”

Not only was he influenced by other designers but also chose the Bocage Avenir Couture and Vendée Couture to produce his line, which also works with names like Louis Vuitton and Hermes. His fabrics will come from the Japanese mill, Collect. The fabric’s tight weave was meant to protect and is used in firefighter’s uniforms in Japan.

The line iteself will feature cropped jackets, including a stretch denim one with what appears to be hand stitched detailing. The use of fabric is also unique, as he takes Chambray material and creates a denim suit. The jackets start at $900 and the pants at $700, but given the rich detailing, fabric and design, these peices will be truely unique. The pieces can be purchased online this fall.

Photos and excerpts from article at WWD.com