Original Penguin Denim Launch: Q+A With Creative Director Ann Payne
Original Penguin is so beloved for their retro-inspired pique polo shirts, jackets and knits, but they'd spent much of their fashion existence predominantly bottomless. Well, with the launch of Original Penguin jeans in four fits, that's about to change. We spoke with Penguin's creative director Ann Payne about the decision to go denim.
The GQ Eye: Talk about how the addition of the focused denim collection was conceived...
Ann Payne: We've always been known as a polo brand, and have built in woven shirts, suiting and other additions in the past few years. We felt like [this] was the next obvious extension. We weren't looking for something that was going to compete with all the designer denim out there. We were more focused on looking for something appropriate to compliment our current stuff. [Our denim] is a little bit cleaner and a little more cohesive with our product. It's aimed to go back to the whole heritage and vintage feeling we strive for.
GQ: Tell us a little about each of the four fits...
Payne: We have the Heritage fit, which we're calling our slim fit. It's something like a Levi's or AG slim fit, which is trim without being skinny. Our Rogue fit is our skinny and has a little bit of stretch in it. So that's really your modern skinny fit. The Pioneer is more of a carrot shape; that slouchy drop crotch appeal, but not sloppy. And finally we have the Rockabilly. It's reminiscent of more of a 50s jean, we always call it the Happy Days jean, like what Richie Cunningham would have worn.
GQ: You guys have done some cool collaborations: Richard Chai, Urban Outfitters. Any plans for future denim collabs?
Payne: We're actually talking about that right now. There's nothing in the pipeline, but we've had some interest. We'll definitely continue to do the seasonal collaborations with Urban [Outfitters], so there could be some possibility there. We're all about continuing our work with different designers and building out that piece...
GQ: What are the price points on the denim?
Payne: Everything we currently have in the collection is $98, and we also have a selvedge denim jean for $125. All the pricing on the denim will be in line with the rest of our product. The value is there, the detail is there, but we didn't over detail. You can dress them up or wear them casually; they're go anywhere type of jeans.
