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Blue Jeans Blog Postings for June 2006
Jun 1, 2006, Jeans Tailored for MuslimsEx Max Mara designer, Luca Orradi was contacted some time ago by Franco Giorgio Lotta, president of Al Quds Jeans, to design a line of jeans geared for the World’s Muslim population. The concept is simple: a high waist and more room in the legs, coupled with sufficient stretch, to make kneeling less uncomfortable. They also feature larger pockets to hold watches and other objects that are removed during prayer. The seams are sewn with green thread, a color that is holy to Islam, and the logo is in Arabic.Some Muslims have comented that they believe this product line aims to exploit religion and gain sympathy amongst Muslims. Others are pleased by the idea of a company taking note of a specific cultural need and developing a product to satisfy it. The company advertises them as “the jeans of choice for Islam”. With a world population of 1.2 billion, Al Quds may just hit the jackpot. The company is based in Udine, near Venice, but manufactures its jeans in Pakistan. They are also planning a manufacturing plant in Kuwait in the near future. 10,000 pairs have already been placed in Carrefour stores throughout Europe since march, but they have a very aggressive plan to sell 500,000 pairs throughout the Middle East by September.
Jun 8, 2006, Jacob Davis Honored in RenoJacob Davis, the Latvian imigrant who first came up with the idea that led to the Levi’s patent for copper rivet reinforced denim pants, was recently honored in Reno, Nevada.The oldest pair of Levi’s, valued at $125,000, were on exhibit and the city of Reno placed an honorary marker on Virginia Street where Davis’s shop once was located. The pair is believed to have been made in 1879. Lynn Downey, historian for Levi Strauss & Co, said about the jeans on display, “This is about as close as you can get to Jacob Davis’ original jeans." They were purchased by Levi Strauss in 2003, as part of a collection. The ceremony was held 133 years after the business partners were granted a patent for Davis’ improvement, which basically involved placing 11 copper rivets in strategic, high stress locations on the pockets and other seams of what were purely utilitarian work pants. Jun 26, 2006, Target Couture
Target fans love the stylish yet inexpensive clothes that the giant retailer offers. Count me amongst them. So, many will not be too pleased by this new venture.Target has basically licensed it’s name and red and white bulls-eye logo to Brand Central to market a line of high end denim. The jeans will be in the $140 range. The line will initially be available at the chic LA store Intuition, and is targeted, excuse the pun, to expand to high end department stores nation wide. Some experts believe, and I tend to agree with them, that this type of branding outside of their stores will be confusing to consumers. The move may have more to do with just placing the brand outside of their store’s walls and gaining awareness, whether the jeans sell or not.
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