California Apparel News

Undeterred by the recent bankruptcy filing of his parent company Warnaco, ABS’s Allen Schwartz is introducing a high-end collection of contemporary denim called Allen B. by Allen Schwartz.

“I guess you could say we wanted to update our line a little,” explained Los Angeles-based Schwartz, who specializes in affordable designer styles. “We wanted to add a chic look to our line of clothing and thought making new denim styles would be a great way to do that.”

Schwartz calls his new line “luxury dungarees,” a contemporary denim collection that can be worn any time of the day, with styles ranging from basic five-pocket jeans to bell-bottoms.

For Fall 2001 the line will offer 30 styles of stretch denim, including saddleback, hip-hugger and exposed front zipper. Some are treated with chemical dyeing or sandblasted for a vintage look.

The designer admits some pieces in the line are a little over-the-top. Combining wide-flare cuts and rhinestone embellishments, the collection aligns itself “more with Dolce & Gabbana than Elvis,” according to Schwartz.

Schwartz previously tested his novelty-treated denim as part of the ABS line before opening a separate denim division in January. That collection made up 10 percent of the company’s overall business by the end of the fourth quarter.

The Fall 2001 collection, which begins distribution this month, received an overwhelming response from buyers when it debuted last April at New York’s Coterie Show, and again at its “soft opening” two months ago at Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman.

The company plans to ship over 150,000 units to department stores from now until January 2002, Schwartz said.

Retail price points for a pair of denim pants start at $89. The line will be sold at ABS retail stores and department stores including Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus. Specialty retailers Planet Blue, Scoop, H. Lorenzo and Billy Martins in Los Angeles and Will and Wag in Redondo Beach, Calif., will also carry the line. —Claudia Figueroa