Interview with Gregory Abbou, designer for Degaine denim

Jennifer Aniston in Degaine jeans

Check out our interview with Gregory Abbou, designer for Degaine – a hot label getting lots of attention lately!  You can find Degaine at Revolve Clothing.

Who is your typical customer?
Our actual customers shop at A-list contemporary boutiques and  deaprtment stores who carry the latest trends. I design for discerning sophisticated Men and Women.  I am not necessarily targeting fashion victims but I’m trying to address shoppers who’ve seen everything, worn everything and now are going for a classic timeless style.

What is your most popular cut? Wash?
This season would be definitely our Boyfriend fit. It comes in various washes but our most popular is our Beat Up wash. Using a pure Indigo Denim we have been able to recreate an extremely authentic vintage look. Easy to wear and very comfortable.

Name your most favorite pair of jeans that your brand has produced?
Our Super Slim Boot in our Midnight Destroy wash. It will be available in stores starting January 09′. It is truly a new and innovative fit, from my 10 years of experience I haven’t seen anything like it in the market. By far the sexiest jean I ever made.
 
With so many premium denim brands, what makes your jeans better than your competitors?
I won’t say that our jeans are better from such and such, they are simply different. This is the beauty of denim and jeans in particular, the different fabrication are the direct expression of each brands personality, taste or way of life. This personality should fit the personality of the wearers.  Degaine attracts the folks with a stronger personality who don’t need fashion to dictate their “style”, they exude real confidence.

How many pairs of jeans do you currently own?
I’ve stopped counting 5 years ago…I have never thrown away a pair of jeans.

Do you have jeans for different occasions?
Of course, I always have a pair that I wear most of the time but I have jeans for sunny days, cold days, movie night, dressed up night out, travel jeans, etc…
 
When do you wash your jeans?
I start wearing my jeans raw for a few months without washing them, just a quick tumble in the dryer every week.  My way of life and time, takes care of the wash for me. When they are really used and get a very cool vintage character (usually 8 to 9 months), I give it a nice wash (soap without bleach).   The result always amazes me and usually everybody around me…it  just takes patience.

Name your favorite pair of jeans. Do you own these?
They are actually my own, Degaine Red Labels jeans.

Whom or what inspires you?
Mostly the streets of the big cities like New York, LA or Paris. My first passion is photography so I love to observe people in the streets. It’s a kind of sociologist study…I find the way you dress reflects so much of your way of life and who you are.
 
What are the most impactful/memorable pair of jeans you remember?  Were they yours or someone else’?
When I was 15, one of my dad’s friend took me to an antique denim auction in Paris, I saw a pair of Levi’s from the 1920’s sold for more than $5,000.00….it was just like a piece of art.
 
Which celebs are currently rocking your denim line?
We have several, but Jennifer Aniston is actually the celebrity who has been spotted the most in our jeans recently.

Which celebrity would you like to see wear in your jeans? Why?
Probably a famous and extremely talented designer like Marc Jacobs or Tom Ford, it would be the greatest compliment.
 
Why are jeans are so popular?
Jeans are the only garment that crosses race, age, sex, social backgrounds…denim is universal.
 
What’s the worst denim crime you could commit?
Not wearing jeans!

Denim Fashion predictions for 2009 Summer? 2009 Fall?
We are going back to authenticity and vintage looks. Rigid denim is definitely back for women…

-Gregory Abbou

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