Paige Premium Denim's Design Guru Paige Adams-Geller knows that the key to looking great is simple: it's about loving your body and being "comfortable in your genes". She dished one-on-one with Holts, and told us everything we need to know about denim: from the most important fit features to what's coming up for 2008.
Holt Renfrew: How did you make the leap from model to designer?
Paige Adams-Geller: I made the leap first from runway and print modeling to fit modeling because it promoted a much healthier lifestyle for which I didn't have to starve myself. For fit modeling, I didn't have to be super skinny, I just had to maintain a healthy size so that designers could fit their clothing on an "average" body. After fit modeling for years, I became more of a fit consultant/ expert for the premium denim brands I worked for and realized after a while that I could take everything I had learned and create the perfect fitting jean. Becoming a clothing designer was a dream of mine since I was a child, and even though my route to designing was somewhat unconventional, it is exactly what I always dreamed of doing.
HR: Why did you choose to focus on denim in particular?
PAG: After years of fit consulting for all these various denim brands, I became somewhat of a denim fit expert, so it seemed a natural progression for me to take that expertise and apply it to my own denim line. And I thought there was a need for a line of jeans that really did something extra for the female figure.
HR: When you launched your collection, did you ever expect you'd be as successful as you are now in just three short years?
PAG: I hoped…but with so many brands trying to enter the market, I knew I was going to have a tough road, but the acceptance of Paige Premium Denim has been overwhelming and the response has been more positive than I could have ever hoped for.
HR: What's the best selling style from your denim collection?
PAG: Our #1 style is our Laurel Canyon. It's a traditional low-rise boot cut and flatters most figures. We've had this style on the line since it's inception and it's still the most requested style.
HR: What's your favourite jean style from the collection?
PAG: That's a tough question. I love so many styles, but I would say my favorite as far as versatility and shape, it would have to be the Blue Heights Skinny. It make everyone look longer and leaner and it's great because in the summer I wear it with open toed heels or platforms to make my legs look a mile long and then I tuck them in to boots in the winter. They pretty much do everything I need them to!
HR: Why do you think women love your jeans so much?
PAG: I think women love the jeans because they actually enhance the figure as well as offer a touch of style. Whether you're a size 24 or 34, EVERY woman wants her legs to look longer and her butt to look perkier. I can't say I've ever met a woman who didn't want these things. And we offer this functionality in every style of jean and every wash that we make. They all come with the booty lift, leg lengthening factor!
HR: Is there a signature detail, cut or finish that defines Paige Premium denim jeans?
PAG: I would consider the Laurel Canyon to be our signature cut and the comfortable lined waistband and our hidden credit card pocket to be our signature details. These are on every jean (even the men's!) and make it that much more special.
HR: In one sentence, what's the most important thing to look for when buying jeans?
PAG: The things you want to look for when searching for a great pair of jeans are pocket size and placement (not too big, not too small, not too low, not too high), highlighting (too much can make your thighs and rear look bigger) and fabric (jeans with more than 2% stretch won't hold you in).
HR: What's new for fall 2008?
PAG: I have some great new styles that put a contemporary spin on some retro shapes. Also, I'm showing some fun new pocket details including patent leather, studs and fun new embroideries.
HR: How many pairs of jeans do you own?
PAG: Too many to count!
Shop the Paige Premium Denim collection at the Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, ottawa, Ste-Foy, Montreal, Toronto - Sherway Gardens, Toronto - Yorkdale and Toronto - Bloor Street Holt Renfrew locations.
