Peace of Us: It's All in the Details
To the founders of Peace of Us, Arie Soloman and Tanya Ghantous, a well-crafted design is only as good as its production quality. On the inside and out of Peace of Us’ garments are hand-stitched details, embroidered appliqueacute;s, printed linings and custom buttons that are more subtly surprising than conspicuous.
Soloman said that Peace of Us’ high-production quality is possible because the line’s parent company specializes in denim and wovens for private-label clients.
“Taking our private-label production background, we’re able to come up with some innovative washes and fabrics,” Soloman said. The Los Angeles–based Peace of Us team developed original prints and fabrics such as a printed eyelet fabric with all-over embroidery.
Soloman and Ghantous debuted Peace of Us’ Spring 2007 collection at the Project Global Trade Show in Las Vegas in August. Ghantous developed Peace of Us as a feminine and casual sportswear collection that offers the ease of blue jeans in non-denim fabrics. While blue-jean bottoms have cleaned up, Ghantous’ non-denim alternatives offer a smattering of little details.
“Yes, there is a clean, hard-edge movement, but there’s always the yin and yang,” said Ghantous, who has previously designed at A.B.S., Bisou Bisou and Switch denim. “There is always the opposite that continues to happen. [Embellishment] continues to happen, but in more subtle ways.”
The line hits on the key trends of the season for items that match within the collection but are not matchy. Lightweight chambray cropped pants have a higher waist and purple stitching that adds a fun kick; denim short overalls are treated with a potassium wash for a vintage, bleached effect; and yarn-dyed cotton/ rayon plaid shorts are finished with a rope belt that hints at the nautical trend in a non-overt way.
Wholesale price points start at $26 for washed T-shirts with 1960s song lyrics to long gauze and silk dresses for just under $100.
“It’s realistic clothing. You don’t want to go broke buying clothes,” Ghantous said. For more information, contact the Strategy LA Showroom in Suite A525 of the California Market Center at (213) 228-1941.
—Rhea Cortado
