Did You Know?

 Did you know many designers with lasting power do not find success until later in life?

(The below information was originally posted as the first part to a 6 part series of fashion myths debunked for the Crescendo Apparel E-Zine which comes out monthly. http://www.crescendoapparel.com/ezine-archives/ )

Although some designers find fame and success early on in their careers many of the designers that have had lasting power started later in life. Today many young designers and students are impatient and plan to start their own lines right out of college. If we use the example of some of the fashion design icons of today we will see that the average age of these icons was 30 years and above when they first started their own lines and even later when they found success. Many of today’s most iconic and successful designers felt it necessary to gain the necessary experience under other designers in order to inform and enhance their own design philosophies and skills.

Christian Dior founded his own line at 41 years old.

Despite Coco Chanel starting in the business on her own at a young age, she was 31 when she established her Maison de Couture in 1919. Though Mademoiselle Chanel often lied about her age as well as her childhood, as a result there is often debate over the truth about Coco Chanel.

Donna Karan was 37 when she showed her first womenswear collection after working for Anne Klein for many years.

Giorgio Armani was40 years old when launched first men’s collection in 1975.

After designing for Gucci, Tom Ford launched his own label at the age of 44.

YSL was founded when the designer, Yves Saint Laurent, was 26 but he first began as an assistant doing mundane tasks for Christian Dior.

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Did you know the word "jeans" derives from their place of origin--Genoa?

Jeans were first worn in Genoa and originally worn by sailors. Levi's brand was responsible for starting the US jeans trend in the 1850s.

Now that jeans are part of our culture and a growing part of the retail industry what has the journey been like for this fabric since it's US introduction?

 

As trade, slave labor and the increase number of plantations became more prominent in the 18th century a need was created for a material that was durable and long lasting. The solution was denim cloth given its strong twill weave and durability.

During the California's Gold Rush, miners were in search of clothing that was strong and did not tear easily. Loeb Strauss offered a solution in 1853 and began wholesaling and supplying clothes to the miners. Later Loeb changed his name to Levi leading to the iconic American denim brand Levi Strauss, today known as Levi's.

Roughly 80 years later in the 1930s denim became popular with cowboys as the fabrication proved durable enough to stand up to the test of time of their work.

10 years later the world was at war and fewer jeans were made. Denim was introduced to the world by the American soldier who would often wear them when they were off duty. After the war more companies developed and provided competition to Levi's. Lee and Wrangler being two such companies.

In the 1950s denim was the uniform of rebels and an icon for American youth. Denim became so synonymous with rebellion that some schools even went so far as to ban them entirely.

In the 60s and 70s new silhouettes evolved from the classic jean and embellishments such as painting and decorating denim became popular. This was also the time when denim became a status symbol representing a higher class and they became harder to come by.

In the 1980s designer jeans emerged in the marketplace and sales grew tremendously.

In the 90s denim saw a decline as young shoppers were turned off to wearing what mom and dad wore and turned to options such as khakis, camo and athletic pants. Vintage jeans from thrift shops and vintage stores became popular over traditional store bought.

Today denim is alive and well and has evolved and incorporated in every facet of life from casual to a night out on the town. The focus and development of washes and treatments have also increased the value and price of premium denim.  Today denim is such an integral part of a wardrobe that many times you can open a closet and find 2, 3, 4, 5 and sometimes even more pairs of denim ranging from boyfriend, straight leg, relaxed, skinny, bootcut, mid rise, stone washed, dark rinse, etc...