A champion of women and size inclusivity is taking over the creative reigns for a denim brand synonymous with the female form.
CFDA designer, and newly minted Shein collaborator, Christian Siriano kicked off New York Fashion Week Tuesday night with a first look at his designs for Gloria Vanderbilt, the iconic women’s denim label established in 1976 by the late “Jean Queen” namesake and industry veteran Mohan Murjani.
In front of a crowd that included Katie Holmes, Lil Kim and Alicia Silverstone, a troop of denim-clad models closed the show sporting skinny, slouchy, flare, bootcut and metallic-embellished jeans. It was a casual yet relevant moment considering the times, following a runway show dense with bubble-hem gowns, asymmetrical suiting and neon tulle.
As part of the new partnership, Siriano is working with the One Jeanswear Group-owned brand to inject modernity to signature styles including the best-selling high-rise, tapered-leg “Amanda” style. He’s working “closely with the Gloria Vanderbilt design team to ensure that each piece embodied the signature Gloria Vanderbilt touch, with a dose of modern whimsy and Siriano flair,” the company stated.
“I’m so excited and honored to work with a brand that’s been around for such a long time. I grew up watching my mom wear Gloria Vanderbilt jeans in the ’80s, one of the many reasons I am excited about this collaboration,” Siriano stated in a release. “The brand has always been known for representing diverse, powerful women and I look forward to continuing that tradition.”
A release date for the Gloria Vanderbilt x Christian Siriano collection will be announced in the coming months. The brand said consumers can expect an assortment of “relevant fits” and “progressive washes.”
Jack Gross, One Jeanswear Group CEO, said a partnership with Siriano has been in the cards for some time. After meeting the designer years ago, Gross said he knew “instantly” that Siriano was a “natural talent” and a rising star in fashion. A collaboration with OJG was the next logical step.
“After reconnecting a few years later, the opportunity presented itself to bring the Siriano touch to the legendary Vanderbilt brand,” Gross said, adding that the new collaboration will encompass Siriano’s vision to “advance the heritage and legacy of the Gloria Vanderbilt brand with a modern take on the iconic styles that have stood the test of time.”
Vanderbilt died in June 2019 at the age of 95. A descendant of Cornelius Vanderbilt, the shipping and railroad magnate, she pioneered women’s designer jeans that carried her signature on the rear pockets. She appeared in television commercials and at department stores as part of a marketing campaign that sold millions of pairs of jeans, earning her $10 million in 1980 alone.
One Jeanswear Group acquired the Gloria Vanderbilt brand in 1993. The brand is now carried by retailers including Macy’s, Kohl’s, Bealls, Amazon and more.