Blue Cult
After 30 years in the denim business, David Mechaly can attest to the staying power of designer jeans.
Mechaly entered the business in the 1970s with a pair of skin-tight denim called McKeen Jean, which werepopularized on TV’s “Charlie’s Angels.”
“At the time I just wanted to make denim that had a nice fit, and I’ve stuck to the same design concept over the years,” explained Los Angeles-based Mechaly, who took a break from the spotlight for several years before launching a more updated version of McKeen Jean with wife Caroline Athias.
His latest collection, Blue Cult, is a moderately priced contemporary jean that combines fit and novelty, with styles ranging from basic boot cut to pleated tailor-like denim.
For Fall 2002, the sportswear and denim line will offer three groups: stretch denim, rigid denim and alternative (including stretch velvet, corduroy and stretch twill). The sportswear collection will offer 30 styles of tops and bottoms, including mid-length skirts, blazers, hook and eye long-sleeved tops, bomber jackets and culottes. Next season, the company plans tointroduce denim and velvet knickers to its collection.
There will also be 23 denim styles in the same collection, including pocketless, sailor pant, tulip pant with seam detail and cargo pocket styles. Novelty treatments include chemical dyeing, hand-rubbed finishing and sandblasting for a worn look.
Mechaly says the main difference between his McKeen Jean and the new collection is the industry’s interpretation of modern denim. “Back then it was the same product, but the width of the waistband was a little higher and novelty treatments didn’t exist,” he explained. “Blue Cult takes denim back to its roots with a designer edge.”
Retail price points for a pair of Blue Cult jeans can range from $100 to $300, depending on the novelty wash, and wholesale price points range from $40 to $150. The fun and trendy denim collection will be sold at Lisa Kline and Fred Segal in Los Angeles, Whistle in London and Hollywood Ranch in Tokyo. Deliveries for Fall begin 8/30.
Blue Cult is also planning to debut a menswear collection for Spring 2003 at New York’s Coterie show in September. Styles will range from basic to wide-leg denim, with lots of novelty details and treatments, the company said.
For information or to make an appointment, call (213) 623-5052.
