Overview
Jill Perilman is the creative force behind Liverpool Jeans' popular women’s collection.
Deep Dive
Fashion trends come and go but for Liverpool Jeans design director and co-founder Jill Perilman, fit is the most important consideration when she builds out her line of women’s jeans each season.
Based in Los Angeles, the industry veteran previously operated a trend service company called Denimhead, but ultimately sold her stake in that company to found Liverpool Jeans in 2012 with her husband, Ron.
Perilman is the creative force behind the brand’s women’s products. Known for “cross fitting” or sizing jeans using multiple fit models to better serve a wider range of body types, Liverpool aims to offer something for every shape.
And it’s that laser sharp focus on fit consistency—as well as an accessible under $100 price point—that has made Liverpool Jeans popular across both wholesale and direct-to-consumer channels.
The company’s range of products spans traditional denim offerings, including a brand new line of sustainably produced women’s jeans and denim jackets, as well as non-denim fashion apparel like trousers, tops and leggings.
What will the denim industry be like in the next 18 months?
The denim industry as a whole needs to change—every denim maker should have started making sustainable denim years ago. Hopefully 18 months from now we will see the vast majority of denim within the industry coming from a sustainable source. The use of recycled and organic fibers, less water consumption and eliminating harsh chemicals from the wash process should be the norm. The machinery today makes all this possible. We as manufacturers have to be responsible and take the time to source sustainable solutions to protect our environment.
What change would you like to see in the denim industry as a result of Covid-19?
I don’t know about the whole ‘denim industry’ but we at Liverpool have found that we are able to get our jobs done working from home. Had Covid-19 never happened, I don’t think I would have thought this was possible. I have to say though; this can only happen if you have an amazing team of people who care about the company initiatives and our product like our team does.
We do come together at our headquarters to have mini meetings in small groups when necessary–but the majority of our work can be done from our homes. In addition to the benefit of physically staying safe, the hours saved on the freeways, getting to and from work are tremendous. I think it’s a healthier way of working all around and we probably will continue to work like this even after Covid-19. I think the idea of everyone working in an office every day is a thing of the past.
How do you define sustainability in a post-pandemic world?
Sustainability has nothing to do with a post-pandemic world. It has to do with having a social conscience. We at Liverpool have been exploring sustainable ways of working for the past three years—way before Covic-19. We’ve made a lot of progress in finding sustainable and responsible solutions to our denim production. Sustainable solutions in manufacturing should have been on the minds of everyone years ago and should continue to be the way we produce in the future.
Describe your dream jeans.
Sustainable denim made from organic cotton. Cozy soft, super stretch with amazing recovery.
What is your most worn pair of jeans and why?
I don’t really have one jean that I wear the most. I only wear Liverpool and we have such a vast array of denims and washes—I’m constantly switching them out. I prefer our Ankle Skinny or Boyfriend Fit. Our Gia Glider pull-on is also super comfy and one of my favorites.
Name one word that best describes denim.
Essential.