Citizens Of Humanity

Summary

Within Citizens of Humanity there are three ready to wear labels: Citizens of Humanity, Agolde and GoldSign, each of which boasts a uniquely directional voice and clearly carved place in the denim market. Built upon a foundation of commitment to quality and uncompromising standards, the company’s core values support everything it does.

The team uses only the most innovative fabrics sourced from around the world and facilitates product development in its vertically owned facilities to create denim, knits and outerwear of the highest caliber. Companywide, each brand is committed to being thoughtful in the creation of products and uses advanced methods to reduce its imprint on the environment including regenerative agriculture, laser technology, ozone machines and high-efficiency wash methods. In short, they invest in the future.

History

Los Angeles-based premium denim label Citizens of Humanity was founded by Jerome Dahan and his business partner Michael Glasser. Dahan and Glasser had founded ‘7 for All Mankind’ three years prior with Peter Koral and then branched off on their own after a fallout with Koral. Following litigation, Koral was ordered by an LA court to pay Glasser and Dahan $55 million with which the duo launched Citizens of Humanity in 2003.

The brand commits to designing quality denim, without compromise. Being one of the few vertically integrated denim production operations allows products to be manufactured within its sewing and laundry facilities in LA and Turkey, as well as select production partners, giving the management control over quality. With sustainability at its heart, the team cuts denim on automated machines to minimize fabric waste; two hundred and fifty sewing experts handcraft each pair of jeans; and techniques such as laser technology, ozone process, and high-efficiency washers are used.

Citizens of Humanity owns several brands including Getting Back to Square One, Agolde Goldsign and Japanese label Fabric Brand and Co. Recently, the brand bought back the company from its investors Berkshire Partners and Jerome Dahan, its co-founder and chief executive. Per BoF, “While Citizens of Humanity declined to disclose specifics of the transaction, sources indicate that it bought back Berkshire Partners’ forty percent stake in the company, acquired in 2006 for an estimated $250 million including debt. The company also acquired co-founder Jerome Dahan’s remaining stake. He will stay on as a consultant to the brand…”

Sustainability is the base of everything the brand does, “Built upon a foundation of commitment to quality and uncompromising standards, we work to maintain our core values in everything we do. Much of our product is developed in Los Angeles and Turkey, most often at facilities that are owned by us; this allows us to have maximum control of our quality and an enhanced focus on sustainability efforts…

We continue to cut to order to let the demand of our products drive our production and supply to minimize any excess products. We are committed to being thoughtful in the creation of our denim and are continuously working to lower our environmental impact. We are working with a select and innovative group of partners to consistently evolve every aspect of our process to be as sustainable as possible. We are proud of the steps we have taken, but our excitement and focus is set on the future,” per the official website.

Further, Karen Phelps was named creative director for all brands. “…when we thought about the best long-term structure for us, it was important that we maintained a private ownership structure without any specific requirements for excessive growth,” Amy Williams, chief executive of Citizens of Humanity told BoF. “…we ultimately felt that the brands, our accounts, customers and the team at the company would be best served, in the long term, with the management-led buyout. The company’s business and brand equity is growing nicely during difficult times and we have done so with a very thoughtful and disciplined approach… we have a portfolio of five brands that are all appropriately distributed in the channels that they serve well. From there, they will continue to remain extremely profitable.”

Vision

Citizens of Humanity is a Los Angeles-based premium denim label that has captivated the world with its vision of producing the highest quality denim, without compromise. With an elevated style that exudes femininity, naturalness and a sophisticated ease, this sets the foundation for the brand that executes each design with intention in every detail.

Mission Statement

Devoted commitment to producing the highest quality denim, without compromise.

Key Team

Creative Director: Karen Phelps; CEO: Amy Williams

Products and Services

Denim

Awards and Recognition

Citizens of Humanity is recognised worldwide for its sustainably produced denim.

References

• Official website Citizens of Humanity
• Luxury denim brands worth your investment Forbes
• Citizens of Humanity Reclaims Independence in Break From Investors BoF
• Competing in a changing landscape fashionista
• Facebook profile of Citizens of Humanity Facebook
• Brand history Citizens of humanity
• A Radical Solution to Denim’s Climate Cost BoF
• Patch your denim GQ
• Twitter profile of Citizens of Humanity Twitter
• Citizens of Humanity Explores Its Artistic Side Harpers Bazaar
• Citizens of Humanity Denim Jacket GQ
• Citizens of Humanity Collaborates with RISK Harpers Bazaar
• LinkedIn  profile of Citizens of Humanity LinkedIn
• Citizens of Humanity’s Mom Jeans? Harpers Bazaar
• Instagram profile of Citizens of Humanity Instagram
• Shorts, Citizens of Humanity Vogue
• Youtube profile of Citizens of Humanity Youtube
• The Skinny Jean Is Dead Elle
• Brand Wiki profile of Citizens of Humanity Brand Wiki