Fashion Records Spotlight: WANGUJEANS

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His name is Jens.  A talented, driven, designer who is here to make women feel and look sexy.  These jeans are called “Wangu” and in Swahili that means “mine”.  Is that not brilliant or what?  They evoke a feeling of personalization. A perfect fit. Meet Jens Christian the founder and driver behind WANGUJEANS.  Also join their Facebook Here.

Designers/Founder’s name:
Jens Christian Schildberg Østergaard

Location:
Denmark

Brand:
WANGUJEANS

First of all, I love entrepreneurs. Can we get some background info from you?
I was born in Berlin and was adopted to Denmark in a very early age.
I took my education at the “Design School Kolding”. This is one out of two national accredited schools in Denmark for design. The actual education took 5 years with a master’s degree in Industrial Design, which is highly regarded throughout Europe.
When I met my current girlfriend who is from Tanzania and we shopped together, she could NEVER find some jeans with a good fit. I thought … Why not try to construct and design jeans that fit well on her and others with the same body shape. I made some first outturn-samples in Italy, and made many adjustments before I had the final and perfect fit.
WANGU is Swahili and means “my” or “my own” and we thought it sounds very original together with JEANS. So a mix of Swahili and English became to the name WANGUJEANS.

Tell us a little about how Wangujeans got started….

I knew from a very early age that African women have a different fit than the Danish/ European women. When I met my current girlfriend who is from Tanzania and we shopped together, she could NEVER find some jeans with a good fit. I thought … Why not try to construct and design jeans that fit well on her and others with the same body shape. I made some first outturn-samples in Italy, and made many adjustments before I had the final and perfect fit.

Were there any hardships you faced starting your venture/business?

It’s always hard to start something new up. It requires much work and Research, also to find the capital and people to help start up the concept.

How, or where, do you get the inspirations for your designs?

Inspiration can come from everything. I find my inspiration when I visit cities such as London, Berlin and Amsterdam. I love to study people and their clothing. At the same time I like to visit small exciting shops where the fashion does not have to be commercial.

I think it’s awesome that you design for exotic curves and specifically women of different shapes. What are some materials that you like to use to give WaguJeans that nice movement and comfort?

In collaboration with our jeans supplier, we have developed an ideal denim quality which I can not describe in detail here. The denim quality must not be too elastic because, it will loose the originality and looks like a pair of leggings. As accessories and trimmings to the jeans: I import original Kanga fabrics from Kenya and Tanzania, which provides a beautiful and exotic touch of Africa in a new dimension. Meanwhile we develop a very detailed construction of the measure, which gives a particularly good, individual, fit.

How is your typical day like?

My day starts at. 7:00 am. That’s when I check my mail inbox.

Then I usually have some meetings in connection with our launch of the new collection, it may be meeting with our web designer or photographer, where we discuss promotions, etc.

-Late in the day and evening I sit often at my computer to design and develop new jeans and accessories.

My workday typically end at. 11 pm. in the evening.

If you had to give men and women advice on style what would you say?

The key is to feel comfortable in the clothes you buy. Be sure it fits.

Who are your favorite emerging designers and what is it that you love about them?

My favorite designer is clearly “Jean Paul Gaultier. ” He is both untraditional and commercial on the same time. His designs are unique and can be quite sculptural.
Where can people buy your items?

Our first collection will be launched this spring, and will be available through our website wangujeans.com. Later we will expand to other web provider and by direct distributor in selected cities in Europe and parts of Africa.

What is your best attribute?

As a person I am very energetic and inventive. I believe in my dreams and follow them.

What is the best advice you have ever been given?

Believing in yourself and be strong-willed.

Excluding yours, what company or brand do you admire the most?

Diesel, Miss Sixty and Replay. I love the mix of the feminine mix with the raw look.

Word you live by?

Show respect -and treat others as you would be treated yourself.

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