Seven for All Mankind Jeans & Denim

At a time when the market for premium designer denim seemed to have declined, entrepreneur Peter Koral started the 7 For All Mankind jeans company in Vernon, California. The jeans, known as "Sevens," used fine denim cloth from Italy and Japan that was subjected to specialized treatments to give the jeans a worn-in appearance.

Sevens immediately took off, becoming a staple of celebrities' wardrobes and appearing in fine boutiques all over the country. The jeans helped pioneer a new style in denim, characterized by a lower rise, distressed look, fitted seat, and slightly flared legs. The trademark pocket stitching of Sevens features a golden-yellow curvy line stretching across both pockets. However, different styles of the jeans sometimes feature alternative decorative embroidery.

The designers for Seven--Tim Kaeding, Rebecca Danemberg, and Larissa Noble--all had considerable experience in the fashion industry prior to working with the company. Kaeding, for instance, worked for Gap for four years, designing the company's line of women's denim. Danemberg had previously worked as the head of design for Tahari denim.

Sevens enjoyed such popularity that they quickly moved into larger department stores as well. Today, 7 For All Mankind has expanded their business to include a full line of men's denim, as well as tops, skirts, pants, and accessories for both sexes. They have teamed up with other prominent designers like Zac Posen and Ron Herman Design Studios to create new styles. In the fall of 2005, the company launched a line of denim clothing for children.