Hollywood's best dressed don Winnipeg-made jeans

Hollywood celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Teri Hatcher, Paris Hilton and Courtney Love are paying $400 to $700 for pairs of chi-chi jeans made at an 80-year-old Winnipeg garment factory.

As part of the 2006 spring collection, the 1921 denim brand has introduced Taku Art Jeans, vintage-style jeans sewn on antique sewing machines in Winnipeg and distressed with special hand tools.

Each jean also features an original design by Japanese street artist Takuto Mochizuki. Interested buyers choose their favourite style of 1921 jeans and apply their choice of custom patterns and designs.

The customized jeans are fabricated in Winnipeg at Western Glove Works which was established in 1921 then sent to Tokyo, where Mochizuki applies the artwork.

"Taku is the name of an artist I met in Tokyo," said Michael Silver, president of 1921 and Silver Jeans.

"He happened to wear one of the original 1921s where he'd done his own art on them with a selection of embroideries, appliqus, rhinestones, painted art. We commissioned him to produce his artwork on our jeans and those jeans have sold quite well."

'They're cool because they're different'

Silver says celebrities around the world are contacting the company's Winnipeg office, wanting to get their hands on a pair.

"We were contacted by Victoria Beckham and David Beckham who found the product in the store," he said. "[They] wanted to know who the heck made these jeans, where is this place called Winnipeg in Canada and how could they get more jeans?"

The designer jeans are only available through select boutiques in fashion centres such as New York, Los Angeles and London.

Christine Lee, womenswear buyer for The Atrium in New York, says customers at the trendy shop love the product.

"They're cool because they're different, they're new and they fit great," she said.

"Every piece is different. Every piece is individualized and they know they're getting something special. They know there's one person who did this for them and that's what they're paying for."

• 1921: More on the jeans