6.1.10

THE PAINTER|LIFE|AFTER|DENIM

Jacket|shirt by Life|After|Denim; top hat by Topman;
fingerless gloves and armband by Stylist's own
Left: Jacket|shirt by Life|After|Denim; trouser by Diesel;
vintage top belt by Mulberry; bottom vintage belt by Jean Paul Gaultier; boots by Helmut Lang; vintage wrap, tie and fingerless gloves, all, styist's own
Right: Jacket by Life|After|Denim; vintage leather shirt by The Leather Man; vintage belt by Jean Paul Gaultier; vintage hunting hat and ribbon bow, both, styist's own
Left: Hood sweater by Life|After|Denim; shirt by Converse by John Varvatos; scarf by Louis Vuitton; vintage hat,and fingerless gloves, both, styist's own
Right: Jacket|shirt|trouser, all by Life|After|Denim; ascot by Urban Outfitters; vintage beanie cap by Jean Paul Gaultier; vintage blanket, styist's own
Jacket|shirt by Life|After|Denim; top hat by Topman;
fingerless gloves, bow tie and ascot, all by Stylist's own
Left: Jacket|shirt|trouser, all by Life|After|Denim; shirt by Converse by John Varvatos; scarf by American Apparel; necklace, Michael's own; vintage fingerless gloves, styist's own
Right: Coat by Life|After|Denim


VT: How did the name Life|After|Denim come about? How did you all meet?

L|A|D's ALEXIS FREY: The name came about after quite a bit of brainstorming. It was a fun time, and we were all like, “That’s the name of the brand!”

Michael Choi and I have known each other since childhood; our fathers have been business partners in the garment manufacturing business for over 30 years. Jessica Weiner has been working with us for almost four years. Jason Shelby was at Urban Outfitters before deciding to move back to LA. We heard through the grapevine that he was available. Our team is growing more all the time. We’re still small and tight, though, which is what we would prefer.


Describe the perfect Life|After|Denim guy. What career occupation would he be in and what would his typical day be like?

The perfect Life|After|Denim guy is really every guy. He is creative, laid back, and stylish—perhaps somewhat intellectual—with a great sense of humor. My husband does visual effects for films. My neighbors are in TV production and academia. They all use their hands and minds to create something special. Maybe the Life|After|Denim guy is even an artist or architect who splits his time between NY and LA. If he had the time, he would travel to Paris, Rome, Stockholm, and Tokyo to take pictures, get inspired, unwind, and, of course, eat.


Who would be the ideal public ambassador for the brand?

A creative, smart, inspiring, handsome, philanthropic man with effortless natural style. He must be out there somewhere. Maybe like a fusion of Jack Kerouac and Brad Pitt.


Describe the road to creating the brand. Was it an easy path or a complicated one? What's the most challenging step in creating a clothing business?

The short answer is that is was complicated. But in a way it has been easy because we have been blessed to be doing what we love and to be following our passions. When you’re on the right path, it seems things tend to run more smoothly. The most challenging thing? Keeping the faith. Staying true to who and what we are and waiting out the tougher times. But it’s worth it.


One of the key factors about your brand is the pricing. What separates your brand from all the other brands with lower price points out there?

Quality. Ours is unmatched in our price point.


Do you think that affordability is more crucial in the success of a brand than creating a brand based on creativity?

We believe that the right balance of approachability, creativity, familiarity, and distinctiveness is key. We aim to put forth a collection of classic, high quality, effortlessly fashionable pieces, cut and tailored in a contemporary way. The collections are new and fresh, yet timeless. And yes, affordable.


How do you envision the brand Life|After|Denim's collections going forward?

We plan to grow and expand. We eventually hope for our own stores, and we’d love to do a women’s collection down the line.


The brand consists of a few individuals, both male and female. Can you describe your design process?

Our design process is pretty traditional—tried and true. We have strict deadlines and it takes determination and dedication to stay focused. We start with inspiration and establish the theme or mood of the season. We then design into that mood and create a comprehensive collection of functional, wearable pieces.


Your mission statement says that Life|After|Denim's key objective is to not feature denim as part of the collection. It says the idea is to wear your own personal favorite denim and mix it up with the collection. Since denim is such a major part of the business, will we ever see a denim item in the collection in the future?

Perhaps! But I can’t say much more about that (wink.)


What are your current inspirations? Any television shows, music, films, destinations?

“Mad Men” for its brilliance. It is inspiring in all aspects, especially artistically. Hong Kong is so full of energy and vibrance. When you’re there you feel like you can do anything. Tokyo is great for the people, fashion, and food. For music, it’s all over the place from public radio to hip-hop to pop. My current favorite song is Norah Jones’ “Chasing Pirates,” which brings peace. In terms of art, my long time favorites are Edward Hopper, David Hockney, Mondrian, Monet, and Matisse.


What's your favorite piece that you created in the collection?

These are good, hard questions! I love our woven shirts…they are so easy and wearable—the right items for right now. But my favorite piece is the plaid “Elite Peacoat” we did for Holiday '09. A plaid peacoat is just so bold and out there, yet classic and sophisticated. It takes a lot of natural style to pull it off!


What's your motto in life?

Stay grounded.


PAINTING FROM A REPRODUCTION BY
FRENCH ARTIST HENRI FANTIN-LATOUR (1836-1904)

IMAGES|COLIN ANGUS|HTTP://COLINANGUSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

FASHION EDITOR|CONCEPT|CASTING|JOHN TAN
HAIR|RIAD AZAR|WARREN TRICOMI ARTIST MANAGEMENT FOR L'OREAL PROFESSIONEL
MAKEUP|GEORGI NIKOLAEV SANDEV FOR WWW.GEORGISANDEV.COM
MODEL|MICHAEL ELMQUIST|DNA
MODEL AGENT|GENE KOGAN
TEXT EDITOR|JONATHAN SHIA
SPECIAL THANKS|ALEXIS FREY AND ALL AT LIFE|AFTER|DENIM, JEN AT BLINK LOS ANGELES, GENE KOGAN AND ALL AT DNA MODELS MEN'S DIVISION AND COLIN ANGUS FOR THEIR SUPPORT.

4.1.10

DIANA GEORGIE|MODERN GIRL


NAME|DIANA GEORGIE

WHERE ARE YOU FROM|BORN IN ST. PETERBURG, RUSSIA,

RAISED IN SAN FRANCISCO

STATUS|MARRIED...SORRY FELLAS

HOMEBASE|NEW YORK AND HOLLYWOOD


What's makes a man sexy?

A guy that doesn't have to try hard, instead he is confident, fun, has a great sense of humor, and speaks the rest with his eyes.


What would a "sharp dress man" be dress in?

Tom Ford, it's very sexy, luxurious, and classic.


From a female perspective, who would be the ideal image of a "perfect" woman?

Someone like Sophia Loren—Sophisticated, beautiful, intelligent, sexy, elegant, and classy.


What traits do you love most about a man and what traits do you love least about a man?

The masculine touch and protection of a man, the man being in control but always a gentleman. My least favorite has got to be that they are so darn messy!


If a man was to ask you out on a date, could you describe to us your idea of a ideal evening?

It could be anything, it all depends on the person I'd be going out with. It's not the setting that makes an ideal date, it's the company that counts.


What's the best pickup line you have ever heard?

Is there one??


If you can use one word to describe your current status as a married woman, which word will it be? Why?

Blessed, because I am married to the man I truly love, my best friend, who I can spend the rest of my life with and share the future with him.


Your beauty secret?

I take time to relax and meditate, stress doesn't look good on anyone. And I keep it very simple—lip balm, body butter, and plenty of water.


Women or Men—Who has more power in a relationship?

Both are equal, you are partners working together, not competing against one another.


If you could trade a day with someone famous, who would it be and why did you choose this individual?

Hugh Hefner, because I'd be able to lounge around the mansion in my satin robe, smoke cigars, and hang out with pretty ladies.


Name a successful model you would love to be in the same career path with?

Milla Jovovich or Helena Christensen, because I want to branch out into films and pursue my photography fulltime.


IMAGES|COLIN ANGUS|HTTP://COLINANGUSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
FASHION EDITOR|CONCEPT|CASTING|JOHN TAN
GROOMING|FUMI|WWW.FUMIAKIN.COM
MODEL|DIANA GEORGIE|CODE MODEL MANAGEMENT
MODEL AGENT|MARQUES|LORRAINE OSPEDALES
SPECIAL THANKS|LORRAINE AND MARQUES AT CODE MODEL MANAGEMENT AND COLIN ANGUS FOR THEIR GREAT SUPPORT.