Carl Jones Teams With Riley
Cross Colours co-creator Carl Jones has teamed up with contemporary apparel maker Riley to create denim collections for men and women.
The partnership between Riley and Jones began earlier this year, after both companies signed a licensing agreement that allows Jones to retain the right to produce and distribute men’s and women’s apparel under the Riley name.
“Carl Jones is an extremely talented designer, and I am very pleased to have collaborated with him on the Riley women’s and men’s denim collection,” said Riley co-owner Derek Banton. “Our partnership has allowed us to develop fashion-forward lines for our retailers and customers, in turn leading to the creation of a men’s and women’s collection that is about the ’hang of the clothes’ and the cool factor you get from wearing them.”
The Los Angeles–based company, which vintage clothing dealers Derek and Greg Banton founded in 1999, specializes in contemporary women’s and children’s sportswear and footwear. Riley’s cute, trendy lines fuse edgy styles with vintage fabrications.
Jones launched Cross Colours with Karl Kani in the early 1990s to great media, retail and consumer success. The company shuttered after it could not meet the demand for its urban line of casual sportswear and colorful denim. Kani went on to launch his eponymous line.
Both Riley lines have a rebellious, hardcore, beaten-up look to them. Deconstructed denim jackets and jeans with novelty treatments, such as “dye-stain” and “soiled,” are key items in both collections. Additionally, the lines feature twill blazers and capri pants for women and fitted knit fatigue tops for men. Wholesale price points range from $24 to $80.
A spokeswoman Riley said the men’s collection has already shipped to Saks Fifth Avenue, Marshall Field’s and Rolo stores. First shipments of the women’s Fall collection go out this week to specialty stores, including Lord & Taylor, Detour and Fred Segal.
First shipment sales for both lines are expected to exceed $3 million, Banton said. —Claudia Figueroa
