What Makes a Pair of Jeans Cost $600?

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As part of this week's focus on denim, New York magazine asks Loren Cronk of Greenpoint boutique Loren why his pants cost six times what you'd pay at J.Crew. The short answer: They're just that expensive to produce. Cronk buys his denim from a small, family-owned Italian fabric mill at $15 a yard, which adds up to about $40 per jean. Then he adds a wash, which can run anywhere from $5 to $50, and goes to work finishing the details by hand. He argues that you can really tell the difference: "An inexpensive jean can wear out in six months, whereas I've been wearing some of my handmade jeans for a good eight years now." Then again, he might not be the most unbiased observer.
· These Jeans Cost $600. Why? [NYMag]
· Loren Brings The Blues To Greenpoint [Racked NY]