California Apparel News

Frank Mechaly is learning a thing or two about the jeans business from his designer dad, David Mechaly, a longtime denim maker who founded Blue Cult denim four years ago in Los Angeles.

Frank Mechaly came to the West Coast three months ago via St.-Tropez, France, to be closer to his family and launch his own denim company, Sacred Blue, in Vernon, Calif. Previously, he had worked as a free-lance denim designer. Before that, he had owned denim company Culture Couture, which he sold three years ago.

“My father told me to stop designing for other companies and design for my own company,” he said.

The younger Mechaly got his start in denim 12 years ago as a salesman at a vintage boutique in France. “It was called Biceps, and the store carried Levi’s, Lee Rider and other vintage denim,” he said.

Sacred Blue, which has a rock ’n’ roll feel, is targeted at men and women who like vintage apparel. In order to achieve that look, the line uses a variety of vintage washes and novelty treatments, such as hand sanding and grinding, as well as pressed and creased whiskers.

Silhouettes for women feature skinny, flared and boot-cut legs; cargo styles; and five-pocket and double-coin-pocket looks. The men’s collection features wide-leg jeans, five-pocket looks and a handful of cargo styles.

So far, retailers are showing strong interest in the line, according to Mechaly. “Every time we show the line to a retailer, we take home an order,” the French designer said, adding that early first-year revenue projections for the company are around $10 million.

Beginning Jan. 30, several denim styles will be sold exclusively at Lisa Kline in Beverly Hills, Calif., Planet Blue in Malibu, Calif., E Street Denim in Chicago and all Fred Segal stores in Los Angeles before rolling out in retail stores nationwide. Retail price points will range from $140 to $180.

Mechaly, who serves as the company’s president, said cargo-style denim with vintage washes are among the line’s best-selling items. Taking his cue from his dad, Mechaly said he plans to add new washes to the line each season. “Our priority is to bring something new to the market with our novelty washes and novelty treatments,” he said.

A trendy tops collection might be in the company’s future. —Claudia Figueroa