Q&A: Jessica Alba on her new jeans line: ‘Denim is a big part of who we are’
She may have entered the public consciousness as an actress in movies including “Sin City,” “Machete” and “Fantastic Four,” but in recent years, Jessica Alba has become almost as well known for being a successful entrepreneur.
Being a founder of Los Angeles-based the Honest Co., which makes natural personal care, baby and home-cleaning products, has landed Alba on the 2016 Forbes list of the country’s wealthiest self-made women.
Still, Alba, a mother of two with producer-husband Cash Warren, loves her fashion — jeans, specifically — and when she was offered an opportunity to design a denim collection, she couldn’t turn it down.
The Jessica Alba X DL1961 line is an 18-piece offering of denim bottoms and a leather pant option, in collaboration with New York-based brand DL1961.
The actress-entrepreneur, wearing one of her jeans, a silk bomber jacket from Los Angeles brand Lovers + Friends and carrying a red Chanel handbag, was on hand at a party last month at Revolve Social Club on Melrose Avenue to unveil the new line to guests including Reese Witherspoon and Jaime King.
“Jessica embodies the ultimate modern woman,” said Sarah Ahmed, creative director of DL1961. “She has a beautiful family, a booming business and amazing ethics and values.” Ahmed added that Alba oversaw “every micro-inch and centimeter, every tiny detail.
“She learned about what our fabrics are best known for: to contour, tuck and lift, and worked her designs to take advantage of that,” she said.
The jeans are priced from $178 to $278, and the leather is $878. The collection is available at www.revolve.com, www.dl1961.com, Nordstrom, Shopbop, Bloomingdale’s and boutiques around the world.
During the party at Revolve, we caught up with Alba and talked about fashion, business and all things denim.
How did you end up designing jeans?
A friend of mine works with DL1961 and asked me how I’d feel about designing a line of denim. I’m from Southern California, and denim is a big part of who we are. This company controls their manufacturing and are into conserving the environment, using 50% less water than other producers. The owner created a system where the water used in dyeing goes through rigorous filtration before going back into the ocean. I loved that they have such sustainable practices.
What makes your collection different in the denim category?
What I want out of denim is for it to move with my body. I should be able to throw on a blazer and silk blouse for a meeting, or bum around on a weekend with my kids. We came up with styles that meet your every need.
DL1961 is known for jeans that sculpt and contour. How did you incorporate that?
I took five of my friends of the same size but with different body types and we tried 30 different fits. They told me what they wanted. A high-waisted jean should be snug on the leg but leave room around the bottom, jeans that wouldn’t stretch in the knees — or something to show off their ankle boots or some pretty flats.
Was it a learning curve?
I’ve been in a learning phase for the past five years [since the Honest Co. began]. I’ve never done a lot of the things I do now on a day-to-day basis. Now I understand sourcing and trying to create something new in the marketplace, meeting the consumer’s needs and having a price point within reach. And having sustainable practices is really important.
How would you describe your style?
I’m all over the place. My friend has the line Who What Wear at Target and I like their silk blouses. I shop cool brands at revolve.com. My business started in the tech world, and we’re not very formal. But it’s nice to be able to dress up your denim.
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