The surge of designer denim over the past decade has transformed jeans – once considered the most universal, piece of utilitarian clothing, stemming from blue collar roots – into high-end designer fashion. Today premium denim fabrication and design is an art form, and the connoisseurs who wear these valuable, coveted designer jeans are collectors.
Designer Denim's Appeal
No longer merely a laborer's uniform, designer denim can hold its own, hem to hem with high-end fashion. And frequently endorsed by celebrities – both officially and inadvertently – premium denim represents a lifestyle. Sevens may say: 'I'm made in Los Angeles under sweatshop-free conditions." Rock and Republics may shout: "I'm modern, sleek, edgy, and love rock and roll!" While Del Forte (organic)denim says: "I'm an eco-chic woman who cares about the planet."
Quality that Flatters
Made from the finest denim textiles milled in Turkey, Japan, Italy or the United States, stitched to lift, slenderize, flatten and contour in all the right places, and often hand-embroidered and embellished to dazzle the eye, designer denim is a worthy investment for any fashion lover's wardrobe.
Counterfeit Denim
The price of designer jeans can easily run today's fashionista anywhere from $100 to $300 (and more), so fashion mavens hoping to score a deal on an authentic pair of high-end jeans will frequently fall victim to frauds selling phonies as genuine brand name jeans at a much-reduced rate.
The Seven For All Mankind website refers to counterfeiting as the "drug trade of the 21st century," with con artists peddling designer jeans on eBay, other websites, as well as at "Jeans Parties," from street vendors or other unauthorized sellers.
The most commonly knocked-off brands include some of the most in-demand labels: True Religion, Sevens, Citizens, Juicy Couture, Paige Premium Denim and Rock and Republic.
Buying Authentic Jeans
Unless you're looking for an extremely rare style of jeans, it's wiser to bypass auction sites such as eBay and buy retail instead. Check the brand's website for a list of authorized brick-and-mortar and online boutiques (i.e. eluxury.com, shopbop.com, vipfashions.com, revolveclothing.com).
If you must purchase from auction sites, deal only with eBay stores with excellent feedback who get back to you, and beware of products that are suspiciously marked down.
