U.S. fashionistas are willing to spend more than $600 for a pair of jeans to express their individual personalities.
"Ten years ago premium denim was anything over $100 a pair, today it starts at anywhere from $150 to an excess of $500 a pair and in some cases even $1,000," says Kenneth Wengrod, an apparel industry financier.
The high-end consumer wants a unique, stylish and exclusive product he can buy immediately, said Wengrod -- the heads of FTC Commercial Corp. which provides financing for creative start-up fashion companies.
"People want to express their individual personality and designer jeans allows them to do just that because their distribution is limited and is sold primarily in specialty boutiques and luxury specialty stores," said Wengrod.
"Using the highest quality of denim is critical in order for the fiber to withstand the extensive washes and the enormous amount of handwork in the finishing process, which entails sanding, creating holes, embroidery and hand stitching."
© Copyright 2005 by United Press International
