Lix Jeans
As a family-owned business—Sue Yang-Eaves serves as the company’s chief executive officer and designer; husband Patrick M. Eaves is in charge of the daily operations; and Yang-Eaves’ sister, Jennifer Yang, handles most of the company’s marketing—the 2-year-old San Gabriel, Calif.-based Genepool Jeans is an intimate group that knows one another as well as it knows their market.
The recent result of this knowledge is a better junior sportswear line called Lix Jeans.
“It’s sort of streetwear chic, a mixture of all of the great designer denim brands from past decades,” said Yang.
Similar to other high-end denim lines such as Frankie B., Seven Jeans and Serfontaine, the collection incorporates traditional looks into sexy silhouettes. It also infuses subtle touches, such as the company’s trademark buttons with helix impressions and wide triangle belt loops.
“Our inspiration has always revolved around our unique belt loop and amazing fit,” said Yang.
The Lix collection is divided into six groups, including a biker group, coastal group, utility group, lace-up group, contrast group and rivet group, featuring dirty denim washes and faded denim styles.
The line also features sleek and trendy cotton velvet pants with exposed front pockets and a black denim twill military jacket with front snaps.
Yang said the collection fetches between $80 and $200 at high-end retailers, including Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus, and specialty retailers, including Fred Segal Santa Monica, H. Lorenzo and Theodore. The line is also carried at retail stores in Japan, Australia, Europe and China.
For Spring 2003, the company is planning to add lightweight stretch-denim fabrications in such styles as crop pants, knickers, miniskirts and vests; manufactured in a nylon blend, the line offers a palette of black, military green, cream, orange and red. Delivery dates for the collection begin Jan. 23.
Next up, the company is planning to introduce novelty Tshirts with antique washes in long-sleeve crew, tank and muscle styles, plus a menswear collection.
Yang said that with the addition of newer styles to the collection, the company is projecting a 75 percent increase in revenues next year, bringing the company close to $10 million for 2003.
Lix has a new showroom at the California Market Center in Suite A-593.
For more information, call (626) 285-8616. —Claudia Figueroa
