The denim collection is a focused group of various jean silhouettes, trousers jeans, jackets and shift dresses. “I wanted to do denim differently and take it beyond the five pocket.” (Stephenson) says. Stand out silhouettes include a dark, denim fisherman pant with besom button holes, bohemian patch pocket wide legs, double waistband skinny jeans, detailed denim shift dresses and an androgynous boy-cut “brother” jean.

Her signature back flap pockets have a vintage feel to them. “I didn’t want to use any severe pocket shapes or hokey western styling that would be fun today but at the bottom of the closet tomorrow,” (Stephenson) says. “Ultimately, I want my jeans to be a sustainable piece of a woman’s wardrobe … not at all garish or trendy.”

Because women can't survive on denim alone, Stephenson offers "denim friendly" separates: jackets, dresses and slim trousers in bold plaids, sueded cottons and corduroy.

The first season was inspired by the fields, forests and streams of her home state, North Carolina . The jeans have a very organic and understated look to them. “My father was a farmer, my stepfather an avid hunter and fisherman. I suppose my jeans could be described as 'tomboy chic'. I also have some bohemian tendencies that I owe to my stylish mother; she wore the most radical denim in the seventies.” Stephenson is also surrounded with friends in the art industry and two artists in particular motivated her this season. “The colors and the powerful casualness of the work by 19 th century bohemian artist Amadeo Modigliani fascinated me,” (Stephenson) says. The irreverent work of Marcel Dzama and his use of “Eagle Scout” colors are also found in the collection. The Fall 07 color palette is a mix of tan, rust, navy and moss green which ironically mirror the agrarian hues of her upbringing in pastoral North Carolina .

Stephenson’s typical wholesale customers will be high end boutiques and specialty stores known for their unique and well edited denim selections. Stephenson denim trousers and jeans are crafted of the finest Italian and Japanese denims. Basic five pockets retail around $180 and the more intricate trousers go up to $340. She works with factories in Los Angeles, New York and Shanghai and washes her denim in “environmentally friendly” wash houses that utilize the latest technology for filtering and disposing of chemicals.

She will launch her line in both cities. There is a Launch Party planned for February 21, 2007 in New York City at the Allen Gallery Chelsea from 6-9 PM. A bluegrass band and southern fare will complement the collection's aesthetic. A Launch party is scheduled to take place in Los Angeles on March 19, 2007.

At a thin 5’9, Amy is a bi-coastal beauty with homes and business interests in Los Angeles and New York City . She moved to New York in 1998, was accepted to the prestigious Parsons School of Design and had the good fortune of working with master pattern-makers, patient sample makers and genius fit models. She worked at Garfield & Marks for five years, beginning as an assistant designer and rising to Head Designer of Denim and Casual Bottoms. Amy had the pleasure of learning from industry icons such as: Christian Francis Roth, Diane Beaudry, Jo Ann Langer and JR Morrissey.

After working in a small, vertical company focusing on fit, she came away with valuable lessons. “Fashion isn’t a glamorous business anymore,” (Stephenson) comments. “It’s a lot of tech packs and project management. It’s critical to also use your left brain without allowing the numbers to suck the creativity out of the process.”

A website, www.stephensonstudio.com, complements the retail venture, increases brand awareness, and offers customers greater accessibility to her products.

For more information about stephenson or her launch parties, please contact Marketing Director Carolyn Hudson at 310-279-6626.