As you know, the gorgeous Nikki Reed and 7 For All Mankind have collaborated together on a jewellery collection. We announced this a couple of days ago and you can shop the collection online at their website here. In light of the collaboration, I got the chance to interview Nikki about the collection to see how it came around, what her favourite pieces are, what she could see Rosalie wearing and more. Nikki’s really sweet and I am grateful to her for taking time out of her busy schedule to do this interview for DenimBlog!

DB: Hi Nikki, thanks for doing this interview with us here at DenimBlog! We are big fans of 7 For All Mankind, what inspired you to want to collaborate with them?

Nikki: Thank you! This collaboration came about in a really organic way. I hosted an event with 7FAM for the Step Up Women’s Network and someone who worked at 7 approached me about a piece I was wearing from my first jewelry collection (Mattlin Era). They expressed interest in me after hearing the story behind my collection, and before I knew it we were talking about working together! It has been such a wonderful experience. I have always been such a fan of theirs!

DB: How come you chose to do a jewellery line instead of denim?

Nikki: My great grandmother was a jewelry designer. Ever since I was a kid, it was always something that I was interested in. I am also a huge fan of fashion, so I am definitely not against the idea of expanding and exploring other areas!

DB: What is your favourite piece you have designed from the collaboration?

Nikki: At the moment I am really loving the Starry Knight necklace. I designed this piece because I wanted something to go with the denim shirts I wear on stage when Paul and I sing. So there is a special meaning behind it.

DB: Since we are a denim blog, what is your favourite 7 For All Mankind jean?

Nikki: I love the skinny distressed jeans!

DB: And just for fun, what jewellery piece could you see Rosalie wearing?

Nikki: Rosalie is very bold, so I feel like she would wear the Starry Knight necklace and earrings. Her strength is reflected in her style and those pieces feel very strong to me.

DB: Thank you so much Nikki!

Images courtesy of Peter Larson/WireImage.

DenimBlog did an interview a few years ago with Jason Trotzuk of Fidelity Denim, but we thought it was time to do another one and get the dirt on what the new collection is about, some inside info on the up and coming fall 13 collection, his inspirations when designing, his history with denim and more! Carry on reading to find out below!

DB: What can we expect to see from your new Spring 13 collection?

Jason: Fidelity’s Spring 13 collection is a throwback of yesteryear with a refined edge — from our Savannah Vintage collection – full of character, complete with abrasion patch repairs, to our Iona collection – the softest, lightest weight denim you have ever dreamed possible.

The color palette includes soft sage and easter lilac mixed with bold earth tones like terra cotta, earth browns, and natural greens. Signature fits Like our AXL girlfriend jeans and shorts give spring a relaxed chill vibe, while the always popular ACE mid rise ankle skinny and our BELVEDERE high rise ankle skinny are both cut in our custom made Italian denim, making Fidelity the most coveted denim in your closet.

DB: Would you be able to give us a sneak preview of FW 13 as well?

Jason: If Joan Jett and Marilyn Monroe collaborated on a jean colloection, this would be it. Fidelity’s Fall 13 collection is rock ‘n roll edge meets timeless sophistication. Butter soft denim and twill incorporate leather and suede — two of my obsessions right now. Continuing Spring’s vintage theme, Fidelity fuses vintage denim with secondary fabrics, like suede and leatherteen that looks like the real thing but has the comfort and luxury only Fidelity’s custom made fabrics provide. Fall ’13 offers clean and subtle washes with uncompromising stretch and recovery — staying true to our commitment to quality.

DB: What has been your inspiration behind your designs

Jason: It’s always my goal to inspire others with Fidelity. I’m constantly trying to design a collection that makes our customers fall in love with our denim. Each style should only enhance one’s personality and individuality. Our timeless details, nuances and lasting quality are a reflection of who we are, and also a reflection of what our consumer demands.

DB: Why did you decide to create Fidelity?

Jason: My initial goal when I founded the brand was to set a new standard for denim in the market today. This may sound a bit cliché but it was important to me to create a brand in the market that brought back the true meaning of “premium,” in both design and performance.

DB: What’s your history with denim or the fashion industry?

Jason: Believe it or not, designing denim has been my life’s blood for over 20 years. In my early 20′s, I put myself through college by hand painting old pairs of Levi’s and selling them for hundreds of dollars a pair. In my late 20′s (in the late 90′s) I started my first jean brand that I was fortunate enough to see grow to 20 million in just two years. My most recent venture, Fidelity, has enabled me to work with the best denim houses in the world and customize our quality, our fit and our beautiful, signature washes.

DB: How many jeans do you actually own?

Jason: Surprisingly, I only own about 20 pairs of jeans… but, like most everyone I know, I have three favorite pairs that I continually cycle through. I have thrown out all my competitors jeans and only have Fidelity sitting in my closet these days.

DB: Do you have a favourite jean you have designed?

Jason: FOR MENS: The IMPALA, a slim leg jean, but not too slim, just right. The most versitile fit for any age. FOR WOMENS: That’s a tough one, Either ACE, our skinny jean with an 8″ rise and 10″ ankle/sweep or the BELVEDERE with a 9″ rise and 10″ ankle sweep.

DB: Thank you Jason for doing this interview with us!

We caught up with designers Jens and Erik of the new denim brand, FRAME, that already have a huge cult following. They have already been spotted on some of the best legs in the business including Miranda Kerr, Cara Delevingne, Anja Rubik and Lara Stone. Those are just the models. Blogger Elin Kling, actress January Jones as well as many others are also huge fans of theirs. You can see how they got their start, how the name came about and more below.

DB: How did you get your start?

FRAME: We worked at fashion magazines – met at Wallpaper in our early 20′s and 2 years later set up our own agency for fashion, called Saturday. It has since grown into a group of companies, spanning all elements of the fashion industry – advertising, digital, PR, talent, distribution and more…

DB: What made you decide to start your own line?

FRAME: Love denim, always have. Erik’s first job at 18 was for Levi’s and since, has always had a fascination. We have both been in fashion for so long, and having worked with some of the most amazing brands and designers in the world, it comes a time, when you want to try it for yourself. It started as a fun project, and has become really serious. It felt so natural. It is our passion.

DB: How did you come up with the name FRAME?

FRAME: We are thinking about the physical FRAME and also how we relate to denim, as being the FRAME to your look, more so than the main event.

DB: What can we expect in this new line?

FRAME: Great quality and great fits, clean aesthetic and always fashion! We have a discreet edge. Without getting technical, we also put a lot of money back in to the product, and that is what people are responding too. We have many girls buying 3-4 pairs a go, because they become hooked.

DB: What was your inspiration for this season?

FRAME: A sense of french chicness absolutely. Denim to dress up, even when it is really distressed, we do it with taste.

DB: I noticed that you guys are very into minimal detailing. What made you choose a simple “F” stitched at the outseam opposed to something on the back pocket?

FRAME: We love everything chic. We don’t want anything on our own back pocket, so we don’t want anything on hers. The shape is more important than branding.

DB: What are your favorite style(s) from this season?

FRAME: Le Skinny de Jeanne.

DB: How many pairs of jeans do you own? And which is your go-to?

FRAME: Too many to count, but only wear a few. FRAME doesn’t do men yet, so Erik wears Dior and I wear Acne, both religiously.

DB: Who can we expect to carry Frame?

FRAME: This season you will find FRAME at Barneys, Net-A-Porter, Fred Segal and Shopbop among many others. Starting in May you will find us in selected Nordstrom and other landmark retailers like Selfridges.

-See who is wearing FRAME below.

We got the chance to catch up with Maurice, the man behind Williamsburg Garment Co. to see what was in store for the brand! For those of you not familiar with Williamsburg Garment Co., we also asked Maurice to explain more about his brand, his history with fashion and denim as well as what styles are his favourite from the brand and more! Carry on reading below to find out more!

DB: Hi Maurice! Thanks for doing this interview with us, could you tell our readers about Williamsburg Garment Company?

Williamsburg Garment Company designs denim for men & women with a tagline “cash only to trade,” which means WGC‚s selling price to the trade is so low that we use a cash and carry business model in order to survive finance charges, unpaid invoices, returns, and other common costly expenses that usually drive up the prices to the trade at the wholesale level. This allows us to offer an incredible mark-up to Retailers while allowing them to price the jeans at an attractive price to the consumer.

We do high quality denim using the best fabric quality and some serious neighborhood pride (all fits are named after Streets and Avenues in Williamsburg, Brooklyn). We make both domestically produced and imported styles with a goal of producing the core of our collection in our own factories based in Brooklyn in the near future.

DB: So what’s your history working in the denim industry?

I’m from Detroit, Michigan and my career extends back to 1984. With aspirations to be a special effects artist, my career plans changed after seeing the British 80‚s group JoBoxers music video, Just Got Lucky. The singer wore a hat that I couldn’’t find in any stores so I taught myself to sew to make my own. At age 19, I then started a company named “Hardwear by Maurice Malone” and began selling the hats to local stores.

In 1991, I entered the jeans industry with “Mojeans” and targeted my line at the hip-hop market. This brand helped establish myself as one of the founding forces behind the birth of Hip-Hop fashion. By 1997, I was staging designer fashion runway shows during NY Fashion Week and my debut tailored men’s collection drew wide spread ovation, earning myself a nomination for the Perry Ellis Award for New Menswear Designer of the Year.

From 2004 to 2006, I presented collections during a short-lived partnership with my eyewear licensee. Later, with backing a factory I re-launched the Mojeans collection under the “Black Label” name, which featured a skull-winged logo for the Premium Streetwear Market.

From the later part of 2006 to 2011, I worked out of sight, mainly earning freelance and production work through my company DenimWork.com. Williamsburg Garment Company, Inc was originally set-up in 2009 to raise capital for a tailored collection called “Fat Mattresses &nd Golden Underwear” but exhausted with the process of seeking investors, I decided the time had come to take my own advice that I had given to many young designers seeking my guidance and approach launching a new collection as a new designer with limited funds.

Following my advice, the Williamsburg Garment Company brand was born and launched in November 2011. Williamsburg Garment Company is currently establishing a foundation in the world’s top designer boutiques and denim specialty stores.

DB: If you could describe you brand in just 3 words, what would those be?

Bargain Quality Style.

DB: What can we expect from your AW13 collection?

I plan to make more basics non-basic while still remaining very basic.

DB: Do you have a favorite cut/jean you have designed?

For Men, the “Grand Street” which is slim with a tapered leg opening and eased knee & lower thigh area. For Women it would be the “Metropolitan” which initially was suppose to be a unisex jean but landed firmly as a relaxed fit rigid straight leg for women. In this style we offer our only Raw Denim for women.

DB: What makes your denim brand so different to the others?

1. The lack of branding while still being branded via our coin pocket detail.

2. Our incredible fit. I didn’’t go out and copy other brands fits, during my time with no product on the market I found good fits and improved them. For the Grand Street, I found a popular brands slim fit too big in the waist which caused too much bulking of fabric at the waist when wearing a belt. I also made the leg opening smaller for a better look with high top sneakers, boots and rolling the cuff for low cut shoes. I tweaked the knee and thigh areas as well.

3. Last and most importantly, when I started this brand I knew I couldn’’t compete with big brands in the traditional ways of doing business so I decided to go back to the old days of doing business with a high level of customer / personal service. A “small time operation” but in the modern world using technology as a aid. About 40% of my time is spent on my website, customers and their orders. I think no major brand can say their designer or company owner personally answers every customers email as well as ships and inspects 95% (sometimes I have to go out of town) of web orders.

DB: How many jeans do you personally own?

I don’t know, but I usually keep 1 pair in heavy rotation, wearing it nearly everyday until it’’s worn enough, until it’’s retired as a wash master copy.

DB: What makes you love denim so much?

I don’t know. Runners run, Singers sing, I like to do denim.

DB: Thank you so much Maurice!

You’ve seen Denimocracy’s Spring lookbook and their Spring line in action, but what about behind all of that? I have for you an exclusive interview with Denimocracy’s designer Janine Shaw. I sat down with her to ask her a few questions about the line and even a few questions about her personal life. Ladies and gentleman…meet Janine!

DB: What sets Denimocracy apart from other denim brands? –

JS: The fabrics are the finest fabrics available sourced from all over the world, they are amazingly soft and comfortable. We work with the best laundries in Los Angeles and the wash processes are extremely ground breaking and like nothing that is out there. The Denimocracy line is sexy and not afraid to have fun. While staying on trend, we have no desire to look or feel like everyone else. We strive to push for perfection in all aspects.

DB: Take us through the steps of developing a collection for Denimocracy-

JS: It all starts with finding the most beautiful and innovative fabrications. We then create mood boards with inspiration images in order to visualize the overall feeling & direction for the season. From there we play with color palettes, silhouette sketches, denim wash & novelty dye treatments and creative concepts & details. Each piece is made one by one and perfected until it is loved and adopted into the collection.

Denim Blog: What was your inspiration for Spring/Summer 2013?

Janine Shaw: The theme for Denimocracy Spring 2013 is Utopian Dream – inspired by the natural elements (earth, wind, water & fire) in a bright fantasy wonderland. Natural sun bleached corrosion;dreamy and marbled rock surfaces of bleeding color & exquisite sunsets. This line has a Romantic, ultra femme & bohemian free spirit feeling.

DB:What is your ultimate goal/vision for Denimocracy?

JS: My goal is to perfect the evolution of denim by creating a line that is inspired by vintage aesthetics while constantly updating and pushing the envelope with modern elements. As a brand we want our customers to feel confident and love how they look and feel while expressing their unique personality to the world.

DB: LOVING the tie dye that’s entering the Spring/Summer 2013 collection, how is Denimocracy’s tie dye denim different and what inspired you to bring these types of tie dye in?

JS: Playful prints are extremely popular right now but I wanted to create pieces that looked like a work of art. We developed one of a kind dyes that were done by hand and naturally affected by nature. There are several multi color batik tie dyes, that are really special and stand out.

DB: What is your favorite item from the collection?

JS: My favorite item is the Indigo Jigsaw in our best selling Luxe Skinny. This style has a modern and edgy patchwork denim, I really love the various shades of denim in one garment.

DB: Off the topic of denim, name one interesting thing about yourself that our readers would love to know/find interesting.

JS: The highlight of my day is coming home to my scruffy poodle mix puppy named Levi.

DB: Thanks Janine!

A.N.D (standing for A New Denim Brand) recently launched in September with 5 different denim fits, one jacket and one pair of shorts and the brand is based around an exclusive revolutionary fabric process. The founder of A.N.D, Sean Barron, who owned successful brands previously, has developed a trademarked technique that takes untreated denim and transforms it into a soft and worn-in fabric without using water during the process, thus maintaining the authenticity and integrity of the indigo dyed denim, so we caught up with Sean to find out more about this unique way of making jeans!

As no water is used during the making of the jeans, A.N.D. provides “wears” rather than the traditional “washes”. The line provides three different “wears” – 50 wears, 150 wears and 250 wears. Sean mentioned, “A few years ago I started working with the most prestigious denim mills to develop a process that would take the pure raw indigo denim and break it down. Once the fabric has gone through the process we are able to truly create jeans that look and feel as if they have been worn without being washed.“

DB: Hi Sean, could you tell us a bit about your new denim brand A.N.D?

Sean: Being in the fashion industries for many years, the one area that I have always loved, but never really went full force into is DENIM. At Katayone Adeli and Joie (two companies the I founded) we always had a few styles in denim but never a denim collection. So a few years ago, I started developing a process to make raw denim soft and worn. Finally I was able to launch A.N.D. using this technique.

DB: Why did you decide to name it ‘A New Denim Brand’?

Sean: I love the word AND – if you think about it , it’s in almost every sentence… When I was explaining to my friends what type of company A.N.D. was going to be I said “a new denim brand …” I realized that A.N.D. was “A New Denim” brand.

DB: What makes your brand different from the many others on the market?

Sean: First of all we development a process taking raw denim and make it soft and worn without using any water. The reason this was important to me was I love the color and authenticity of raw denim especially after it’s worn (not washed) many times. Instead of washed we offer “wears…50 wears , 150 wears and 250 wears” The other main difference is we do not do trend driven jeans, no printed, embroidery or colored jeans in the collection. We make real jeans in authentic heritage denim.

DB: What is your SS13 collection about?

Sean: Introducing the core six shapes and the wears to the market and laying the foundation for A.N.D.

DB: Do you have a favourite style you have designed?

Sean: I do – the JACKSON. It’s a “slouchy ciggy with an inside slit “

DB: What makes denim so important to you?

Sean: Unlike most other fabrics, with denim you can create many shades and casts from one fabric. Plus being born and raised in Los Angeles, denim and jeans manufacturing has always been around me.

DB: Do you have a background in denim that you would like to share?

Sean: Other than few styles I made at my last companies this is my first full denim brand.

DB: Thanks Sean!

For their Fall/Winter 2012 campaign, they brought on indie vixon Sky Ferreira to be the face and she rocked it on that rad motorcycle. I had the honor of meeting the Vigoss team at MAGIC back in August and was pleased to do an interview with the CEO, David Kubresi. Enjoy!

1. Hi David! So tell me, how did you get started in denim?

When I moved to the US, I knew I wanted to start a business that really tapped into American culture. I noticed right away on the streets, subways, restaurants…everyone wears jeans. Denim is such an integral part of the way we dress, no matter what age.

2. What separates Vigoss from other denim companies?

Our quality, styling and price point. Our jeans have premium details like leather-backed buttons and hand-blasted denim for under $100.

3. Your life is denim. What is YOUR favorite denim wash/cut/fit?

My favorite denim wash is dark and deconstructed…it looks very American vintage.

4. What era was/is your favorite for denim? Why?

The current era. Denim has evolved so much in terms of quality and style. Today, women can get away with wearing pretty much any silhouette. You can be adventurous without looking out of style.

5. Who is the Vigoss girl? 

The Vigoss girl is a trendsetter—confident and original. Very fashion savvy, she demands quality and craftsmanship.

6. Vigoss is a very interesting name, where did the Vigoss name come from?

I wanted to name Vigoss after my brother—his nickname is “Vigo.” We played with the name until deciding on Vigoss.

(A few pairs from their Fall/Winter 2012 collection)

7. What was your vision for Vigoss when you started, and how is it different or the same?

My vision for Vigoss has always been the same—for every woman on the street to be wearing Vigoss. I want to continue to give women stylish denim at an affordable price.

8. Anything exciting coming up for Vigoss that we should know about?

We are focusing on creating innovative washes, amazing new colors, fun prints, and denim with special details like embroidery, zippers, and studs. For the fall, we are excited to make a return to blue denim, offering a wide range of styles.

Thanks David and Vigoss!

James Jeans has just released their brand new coated styles for Fall in various cuts and colours. I caught up with designer, Seun Lim, to find out a bit more about the jeans, how they can be styled, what makes them different to others and more. Carry on reading below to find out about the new collection. My favourites are definitely the Twiggy in Black! I think those are gorgeous! All of the styles are available for purchase on their website by clicking here.

DB: So tell us, what makes your coated jeans different to the many others on the market?

When it comes to coated denim, it has to be the weight, touch and breathability of the fabric. You do not want to sweat in them unless you want to lose weight. Our coated denim is light, soft and has natural characteristics for a vintage coated look. One more thing to add, we use matte coats which gives you a slimmer and sexier look rather than being super shiny!

DB: What are your recommended washing instructions for the jeans?

Dry clean only for extra longevity. If you want to continue the natural vintage look of the coating then you can wash inside out in cold water and hang dry. Another method would be freezing them. I was just speaking with one of our leading denim mills and they said this was the best way to avoid washing while still cleaning your jeans. apparently the cold eliminates bacteria caused by daily wear.

DB: Will these just be for Fall 2012?

Coated denim is here to stay for a while. You will see various shades, techniques and washes. It’s like you almost have too many options and that’s what makes the coated denim so special.

DB: How would you recommend styling your new coated jeans?

Just play with texture and material. You can wear them with almost anything…like basic white tees, chunky sweaters, tuxedo jackets…I would add some bold metal accessories for an edgier look with stilettos or booties.

DB: Will they suit everyone or do you think there are certain styles and colors for different body types?

I would say skinny and slim-straight styles. You just have to pick the right shoes to wear with them. You can wear them with stilettos, booties even with sneakers. Regarding colors, I prefer dark and neutral/earthy tones for fall.

DB: Which is your favorite color and style?

Java java java in twiggy. Very subtle dark brown, almost looks like a warm black…I love the hue.

DB: Lastly, is there anything else you would like to add?

Well one of the best aspects of any coated jean is that they are 100% Animal friendly. So for all of us animal lovers, we can still wear the classic “Leather” look without anyone being harmed

DB: Thank you Seun for taking time out to do this interview with us!

I got the chance to catch up with David Koral (middle), the founder and designer of the new premium denim label, Koral Los Angeles. I got to ask him more about the brand, his favourite designs, the idea behind the name and concept, what’s coming up next season and more! So click this post to read the entire DenimBlog exclusive interview! You can also read my review on a pair of Koral jeans here and an introduction to the brand here.

DB: Hi David, nice to meet you! Could you tell us a little bit about your new denim brand, Koral Los Angeles?

DK: I’m always happy to talk about the story behind our brand because it not only tells how the premium denim market got started, it shares the story of my family. Following my grandfather’s path into the garment industry, my dad created and helped shape the premium denim market as we know it today, turning the jean into a versatile staple of everyday fashion. Now, I’ve followed my father’s lead and the two of us have reassembled a number of great talents he worked with before to help unleash our passion for denim and its continual evolution.

DB: So what sets Koral apart from other denim brands?

DK: Quality. I feel like there’s a growing void in the denim market. It seems like quality has been being sacrificed in the chase for novelty trends. Koral is devoted to bringing back the essence of what makes a great pair of jeans – quality material, refined finishing and flawless fit.

DB: There are a LOT of denim brands in the market today, how do you see Koral standing out and succeeding?

DK: There are definitely plenty of other brands on the market, but Koral is bringing an elevated sophistication with minimalistic influences to denim. From the purity of our fabrics, to our sexy silhouettes, to our immaculate packaging, I think Koral will be pretty hard to miss.

DB: I have looked at my Koral skinny jeans closely and I absolutely love the attention to detail. I find the little things in garments make them much more special. Is that why you wanted to add them in?

DK: Glad you asked that question. Painted-to-match labels, stitch details, rivet placement, and gilded-edge hangtags are some of the elements we have laboriously worked on from the get-go. These are definitely neither gestures nor afterthoughts that have been added in to our jeans. We’ve even enlisted the work of art director Marc Atlan [his portfolio includes Comme des Garçons, Helmut Lang, Tom Ford, and Maison Martin Margiela] who has done a remarkable job conveying our vision through every single detail that goes into our packaging and branding.

DB: What sort of person do you see wearing Koral jeans? Or do you think they are versatile enough for everyone?

DK: The Koral woman carries a subtle, but powerful confidence. I imagine her with an appreciation for fine things, an appetite for culture and a playful spirit. She is a woman who other women respect and men adore. Whether she’s personified in the body of a 20 year-old or a 40 year-old, she is the Koral woman.

DB: I love the fit, the material, the style, everything about my pair of Koral jeans. I’m interested to know how long it took you to come up with the brand from the beginning to now?

DK: I convinced my dad to get back in the game last October and I still can’t get over how quickly it’s all come together. A lot of times you’ll hear people around the office talking about how they love our family environment and how we all work so well together. I think those sentiments play a huge factor in how extremely dedicated everyone is and how much we’ve been able to accomplish in a short period of time.

DB: I know [Peter and Rick] are the brains behind the ever successful 7 For All Mankind brand (which I also love). Can you compare Koral to 7 in any way, or would you say they are completely different?

DK: 7 For All Mankind was undoubtedly instrumental in creating the premium denim market, so I think it is fair to say Koral is its second generation. However, the creative inspiration, brand aesthetic, and craftsmanship of Koral are very different. I see 7FAM as more vintage, sexy and ornate, while Koral is contemporary, sophisticated and minimalistic.

DB: Do you have a favourite style you have designed?

DK: Right now I’m really into our colorblock styles. However, I’ll always be biased to our signature Lived In Length concept which features a range of washes progressing from 0-Month to 48-Month, hand-processed to reflect the natural wear and personality of its owner over time.

DB: Speaking of the lived in length collection, are you a fan of raw denim? I love raw denim and how it creates and tells a story through wear, what made you want to do this collection?

As a long time denim enthusiast, I have an extremely strong affection for raw denim and the way its character is enhanced over time. An aged pair of denim is not only comfortable, it’s comforting. Each pair suits a different mood and this was definitely an inspiration for our Lived In Length concept.

DB: What can we expect to see from the brand in the near future? Anything fun and fresh?

DK: Of course! Spring should always be fun and fresh. Our color palette is filled with pastels and bright jewel tones in high-stretch, high-recovery fabrics. We’ll also be introducing relaxed versions of skinnies, straight legs and cigarettes. But the best news (for me), is that we’ll be debuting our first men’s collection. A variety of fabrics, such as a modern stretch, a moderate rigid and a selvage denim will be offered in washes that coincide with the women’s line, including white washes, color techniques and of course our signature “lived in length” washes.

DB: I have been waiting for a new brand to come around that I completely fell in love with in every way. I think Koral may be it! Did you expect this reaction from everyone when you were creating the brand?

DK: That’s what I like to hear! Got to admit, it was a little nerve-racking the first day our jeans hit the retail floors. I had confidence the response would be outstanding over time, but I was overwhelmed by all the great feedback that started rolling in the first week.

DB: As an interesting fact, how many jeans do you personally own?

DK: Too many to keep track of, but I feel like I only keep a few of them on rotation at a time.

DB: Same as me! I am assuming the brand is named after your surname as well as the city it’s made in, were there any specific reasons for choosing the name?

DK: Like my dad says, we want to build a brand that lasts a lifetime. That’s why we put our name on it.

DB: Thank you so much for doing this interview with me and I wish you so much luck and success with the brand!

We caught up with Sal Parasuco, the owner and founder of Parasuco Denim, to find out more about his brand, his history with denim and what’s new for the up and coming seasons. You can read our interview below.

DB: Hi Sal! Thanks for taking the time to do this interview with us. For our readers who haven’t heard of Parasuco, could you let us know more about the brand?

Parasuco was created for free living. For expressing your individuality. For unapologetic sex appeal.

DB: I know Parasuco is quite big in Europe and Canada, how do you think the US market will be different for you?

Although we were under the radar, between 1995-2005 Parasuco was actually a “street” CULT brand in the USA. Parasuco was in fact featured on “America’s Most Wanted” as America’s most shoplifted jeans during this period! We helped discover and grow “Stretch Denim Jeans”. In 1976 I presented my concept of denim fabric made with Lycra to several American mills and they laughed at my silly idea. But today there are more stretch fabrics made than non stretch! Our Success in the USA created many clones and Parasuco knock offs; we didn’t have the budget to protect ourselves so we pulled out of the USA for a while. Now, we are excited to resurface in a big way!

DB: I know you have quite a history in denim, would you be able to elaborate on that for us?

I was almost 4 when I crossed the Atlantic from Sicily to Montreal and my family and I lived in a very small home with very limited means. “Necessity is the mother of invention”. From an early age, my gut told me to understand my environment, to make the best of it and to work on improving it. My father stopped working due to his 2nd world war traumas when I was 13, and this was right around the time that the Beatles hit and the magnitude of style hit me! Because we were struggling just to stay afloat, I had to make clothes with my mom at home, so I would look cool at school. I needed to help support my family and was able to find a job washing floors in a clothing store for .50 cents /hour and by age 16, I was the store manager and sole buyer. I also began selling the jeans that I made at home out of my high school locker and so began my romance with Denim!

DB: Your new collection looks great! What was your inspiration behind it?

I go by instinct. I love the human body. I love to beautify the body with amazing clothing. I want to pierce the barriers and I want to make people feel damn sexy when they put on our clothes. My inspiration is always the same; we design clothing but we sell an attitude.

DB: What has been your bestseller throughout Parasuco’s existence?

Our Stretch denim products continue to be our best sellers and it’s our innovations with washes, fit and finishes that keeps it fresh.

DB: One question I always like to ask is; what makes you love denim or why is it so important to you?

It’s portrays youth, sexiness and confidence very well but most of all it’s the canvas of our life. Everyone can relate a key moment in their life to their favorite jeans.

DB: How many jeans do you actually own?

…You don’t want to know!

DB: Back to the new line, I love the tie-dye jeans! Do you think those will be a big seller for you?

Again it’s one of our core styles with an innovative wash ready to lead tomorrow’s trend. The fit is there, the head turning novelty is there and we’re always democratically priced.

DB: What can we expect to see in the near future for Parasuco?

A lot more of Parasuco in the USA . The rest will be a surprise!

DB: Lastly, thank you for doing this interview with us Sal, is there anything you want to add that we have left out?

Every artist paints on canvas, artists like Picasso turned that canvas into a work of valuable art. In our case, our canvas is raw denim, the street and our customers are our inspiration, the result is PARASUCO.