With a gap in fashion denim throughout Spain, three friends decided to create what they always wanted, a fashion forward, beautiful, flattering jean at a reasonable price. Maribel Lopez and Claudia Olmeda fashioned the design and Toño Safa with years of experience in denim, organized the manufacturing aspect. Together they have launched Denimfactoria.
Lynn Furge: How did you get started designing denim together?
Maribel Lopez: Claudia and I met through her brother in law about 5 years ago and we really made a connection. I had moved to Madrid and while getting to know the city I noticed there was a definite gap in Spain’s denim industry. There were no in-between jeans, you had to go either to the high-street stores and look through piles of poor quality and fit jeans or to high-end stores, with prices going at 400+ euros. We spoke to my good friend Toño Safa and Denimfactoria was born
LF: With the world of denim growing every day what do you think is the most important thing about producing original jeans?
ML: Every brand is doing it’s own thing. What I think makes us a bit different is that we take emerging trends we see and try and include them into our designs. For example we saw lots of zippers in the catwalks and we designed our Zip style (to be released in Winter 2009). This is straight legged jean with double zippers down in the outside of each pant leg. They open all the way to the top, too!
We’ve also been loving everything with star prints and were inspired to create a style with really cute distressed leather stars on each leg.
LF: What do you feel is the most important transition in terms of season with denim? The weight of the fabric? Color Style? and why?
ML: I think denim as a whole is pretty much seasonless. There are a few specific pieces in each collection that are made for a specific season. The weight of the fabric does play a big part in that. In our opinion, color is now not as relevant season-wise as it was before. You can use very light washes in winter or very dark washes in summer. We are actually producing a very cool tuxedo jean in white denim for winter. White denim in the winter adds a pop of brightness to otherwise drab wintery clothes.
LF: What are your favorite 3 things to see your denimfactoria jeans styled with?
ML: Mmm tough one…. We like oversized blazers, gladiator sandals and nicely cut t-shirts. Some of our jeans take a center stage by themselves and others are complimentary of other items of clothing. This is what makes jeans so much fun.
LF: Who or what is your inspiration behind the brand?
ML: A definite “who” is our good friend Gala Gonzalez ( www.amlul.com ). Gala has become a net-celebrity not just because of her looks but because of her amazing knack for fashion. She can make anything look cool and covetable. Our Gala skirt is inspired by her! Very high-waisted and flouncy, a very fresh silhouette in denim design.
Another source of inspiration is the street-style in Madrid, people here dress unbelievably well.
LF: You have eco-conscious elements to the message behind denimfactoria... can you speak more about that?
ML: When we were creating our company, we talked about a cause we could draw attention to. We are all really into recycling and reusing stuff (Claudia and I are constantly customizing old clothes) and we had all notices all the extra packaging that you end up with every time you go shopping. Cardboard bags, plastic wrapping, bubble-wrap, all ends up in the garbage. So we thought that giving a free reusable tote with the purchase of any of our products would result in a lot less waste generated by us and also, if people got into the habit of reusing it, a lot less waste in the overall consumer cycle!
It seems a lot of people are catching on… the other day I saw three women carrying groceries in our bags! It was a VERY EXCITING MOMENT FOR ME!
LF: Brooke Shields said nothing comes between her and her "Calvins" what 5 things make Denimfactoria jeans be the one covetable thing in a woman’s closet?
ML: First and foremost, I think our fit. We are set on making people look amazing in our jeans. The Charlie style for example, makes almost everyone leaner. The Foxtrot (winter 2009) has a very different silhouette but once you put it on you can see it gives you a “tummy tuck” and accentuates the rear.
Also we try and give a very nice quality for a very reasonable price. We personally select the fabrics, buttons, threads, etc.
Another reason would be we make very special styles in a sea of denim. I mean, we also make regular jeans but some of our styles are very recognizable as ours. The Alpha style, my all time favorite, is inspired by the kind of menswear Kathleen Turner wore. I find this style very fresh and an amazing basic to dress up or down, it is very office appropriate whereas that is a rare thing in denim.
We aim to be a very personal and close brand for the consumer. We don’t mass produce jeans, our aim is that each and every one of our styles is something we LOVE and would wear over and over and so we try that they prove the test of time.
Brooke definitely embodied the nature of what Calvin Klein jeans. Many times the person that buys our jeans has a very similar mentality or lifestyle as us and identifies with our philosophy. Someone who wants quality, price, fashion, good fit.
I for one, think that there is a Denimfactoria jean to suit everyone. Some of our jeans are more rock n’ roll, others more bohemian or hipster. Some don’t make a statement but are just about making your body look its best.
[All denim available at www.denimfactoria.com. All Other Clothing available at www.akirachicago.com.]
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