Henry Duarte Relaunches Denim
Henry Duarte made his name whipping up rock ’n’ roll–inspired fashions—think lots of leather patchwork and low-slung bell bottoms—for rockers and rockers-at-heart. Last year, the designer took a departure from his original muse to launch Duarte No. Q65, a line of super-clean contemporary clothes that was more fashion-forward than Woodstock chic. Now, Duarte is making a comeback to the stage, if you will, with Henry Duarte Denim.
Launching for Spring 2010, the women’s denim line combines Duarte’s newfound minimalism with his classic-rocker edge. The result, he said, is a combination of stark, dark-rinsed denim and edgy design details. Sixteen-inch zippers and bell bottoms combine with imported premium denim. “It all relates back to each other,” he said. Retailing for $168 to $250, the seven styles of jeans are made in Los Angeles and cut from indigo, black, off-white and gray denim.
The designer said timing has been key to his return to denim and his rock ’n’ roll roots. “Before, the denim market was so super-saturated. I’ve been wanting to do denim again, but I had to wait for the right time. So I watched what was going on, and when I saw my opportunity, I took it,” he said. “Also, my look is back in. Rock ’n’ roll is back in!”
Henry Duarte Denim isn’t the designer’s only foray back into the blue-jeans market. Duarte also collaborated with J Brand, the Los Angeles–based premium-denim line, for a three-jean Spring 2010 capsule. A Fall 2010 capsule is in the works. “J Brand and I are very different—they are known for their super-clean jeans; I’m known for my embellishments—but the collaboration really works. I’m very happy with it,” Duarte said. “We both are very concerned with fit and fabric, so they did their part, and I did mine. I brought in the extra elements and made jeans with a biker vibe.” The collaboration jeans will retail for approximately $250 and will sell at stores such as Intermix, Ron Herman and Barneys New York.
