Monday, February 25, 2008

Naked & Famous Part Deux

Given the increasing interest in the Naked and Famous brand I am including some additional pictures and information. I truly believe that the attractive retail prices will introduce many uninitiated to not only selvage but quality raw denim. The market currently purchasing raw denim in the $120-140 price point can use Naked & Famous as a stepping stone to higher priced jeans like Sugar Cane, Samurai, and Full Count.

Blue in Green in NYC will receive their first Naked & Famous shipment in the next week or two.

This is their standard Indigo Selvage (13 oz; approximately $120 retail):



Big Slub Indigo Selvage front and bank (18 oz, high flame character, approximately $150 retail):





Black Selvage (13 oz, approximately $120 retail; my apologies for the bad photo):



Vintage Blue Selvage (15 oz, approximately $130 retail):



If one thinks of these as fashion items then the Vintage Blue is probably the most fashion forward (to take it further I think this shade and its variations are very trend right). But at the end of the day what Naked & Famous offers is a wearable showcase of beautiful fabrics at amazingly low prices. One of the reasons for that, as I understand it, is the Canadian factory where these garments are sewn is owned by the family of Brandon Svarc, proprietor of Naked & Famous. Nor are the garments washed (a huge cost contributor). The other reason is the construction, though solid, is not superbly complex (the current collection does not have hidden rivets --but neither does it have expensive, loud embroideries). Some of the details found on $200+ garments are not present. But did I mention their entry level indigo selvage Japanese denim jean is targeting a retail of $120?? Isn't that more easy to swallow for your True Religion-wearing friends?

When asked about the where the funky name and artwork comes from Svarc replies:

The name Naked & Famous is meant to be a satirical view of our celeb obsessed society. The owner wants to make fun of "Hollywood" and "glamor" brands that cost $300 and up only because Jessica Simpson wears them and not because they are higher quality.

The logo is reminiscent of 1950's Pop-Art. Lichtenstein and Warhol made satirical paintings of mass media and the "ideal blond" to make fun of society. Naked & Famous aims to do the same.


Naked & Famous Website

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Friday, February 08, 2008

Hippies Era Orange Tab Big E Levi's











Edit: Here is what Lynn Downey, Levi's Historian and Archivist (and dare I say friend in the industry?), has to say about these:

[These are a pair of] juniors jean from the Levi's For Gals line, 1970ish. [...] would have been sold in junior departments of specialty clothing stores. We didn't sell in the big chains like Penneys or Macy's until around 1979. Marketing was mostly at point of sale.


When asked about the logic behind the non-red tabs she replies:

Orange was for fashion jeans, white was generally for Levi's For Gals except it was also for corduroy. Black Tab with gold lettering meant the pants had undergone the STA-PREST process.


Thanks Lynn!
Hippies Era White Tab Big E Levi's