French Denim Comes Stateside
Los Angeles–based full-package garment maker Security Sourcing International has struck an agreement with Paris-based producer of specialty denim fabrics Swift Europe to exclusively distribute the company’s premium ring-spun denim on the West Coast.
The denim, already used by brands such as Diesel and Miss Sixty and distributed to better brands in Europe, is “product- and development- driven, not volume-driven,” said Brian Weitman, Security Sourcing’s president and chief executive. “It’s boutique, high-end denim.”
Swift Europe, which operates two factories in the African nation of Tunisia, is a vertical operation, from spinning the yarn to weaving the fabric. Greensboro, N.C.–based Galey & Lord LLC owns a one-third interest in the company.
In operation since 1973, Swift Europe is family-run and produces more than 20-million yards of fabric annually. Two main collections a year yield 20 to 25 new products each, and regular updates introduce new concepts, said Paul Minestrella, who is driving Security Sourcing’s denim operations. Formerly in sales at Levi Strauss & Co., Minestrella cut his teeth as part of the team that launched Levi’s Premium Collections.
Bringing Swift Europe’s denim to the United States seemed like a win-win situation to Weitman. “I feel there is a niche to bring truly premium denim to the U.S. market—but we’re going to go a step further and also inventory it,” he said.
In the past, small American jeans makers might have hesitated to purchase foreign denim because of the use of letters of credit and slow delivery schedules. “A lot of smaller companies can’t afford to use a letter of credit because it takes money out of their working capital for weeks while they wait for the shipment from overseas,” Weitman said. But Security Sourcing is planning to change all that. Weitman said the company would inventory the fabric styles customers select to drastically cut down on lead times and offer customers credit. “It’ll be like they are doing business with an American company,” he explained.
The company can accommodate smaller quantities and will offer exclusives under the right terms.
“It’s a big financial gamble,” said Minestrella, so the company is looking to target the right partners. Denim brands on board so far are Hudson Jeans and Stitches.
“We’re looking to work with the better brands,” he said, “and we’re just as willing to work with the little guys.”
Security Sourcing plans to offer domestic wash development to help customers achieve custom washes.
—Erin Barajas
