International Inspiration: Jean Votre Nom
Jeans Votre Nom is for women who want to add a little bit of European influence to their wardrobes.
The new collection combines European details with an American fit. “The French jean tends to be a little bit slimmer-hipped and the waist worn a little bit lower than what we’re used to,” explained Votre Nom chief executive officer Victoria Shilton, who works out of the French company’s U.S. headquarters in downtown Los Angeles. “The collection is for a youthful customer who wants a contemporary look but is not comfortable with low-rise denim trends.”
Jeans Votre Nom uses such French fabric blends as cotton/polyurethane/elastane to create a variety of denim looks that include classic five-pocket denim, cross-stitching, back seam, slash pocket with no waist and yoke-back.
The line, which wholesales from $38 to $60, also offers denim and corduroy skirts, jackets and blazers. Details include contrast trims made with stretch velvet, leather and suede accents. Shilton said color-stretch denim and corduroy items with novelty treatments, such as dye finishing and whiskers, are strong bookers, as are a variety of matching sweater tops made with rayon/spandex.
Jeans Votre Nom debuted at Fashion Coterie in New York in February. “We got a great response from denim stores from all over the country, especially in the Midwest,” said Shilton. “It’s a well-rounded collection that retailed well last season, and now people are coming back for Fall.”
Since launching, the line has booked about $650,000 in sales, according to national sales manager Kelly Kratchman, who added that for fall it is expected to do $1 million. Fall deliveries run June 30 to Aug. 30.
Currently, the collection is carried in better specialty stores including Southern California shops Champagne in Newport Beach, Annie’s in Los Angeles and Custom Shirts in La Jolla.
“We’re trying to open more avenues with denim stores by complementing each item with separate pieces in our knits collections,” she said.
Votre Nom is a division of Los Angeles-based Brunzak, which is owned by apparel entrepreneur David Guez.
In addition to its wholesale business, Brunzak recently opened flagship stores in Beverly Hills, Calif., and Manhasset, N.Y. Shilton said the company is considering opening a new store in the near future.
“It’s all about newness and pursuing new markets,” said Shilton, who has been with the company for six years and is in charge of overseeing day-to-day operations for the company’s licensing division and brands: Votre Nom Collection, Votre Nom Sport, Votre de Votre Nom, Romosport and Sandro.
The contemporary lines Kate York, Tryst, and Pasha and Joe are three new collections the company is planning to launch for Fall 2002.
Jeans Votre Nom is currently being shown at Judy Kergan Showroom in suite C-503 at the California Mart. The company said it plans to open a corporate showroom at the Cal Mart in May. For more information, call Connie Mendoza at (213) 489-5500 or view the company’s Web site at www.jeansvotrenom.com.
