June 19, 2008

Giveaway, and cute couple alert: Bishop of Seventh

When Chachi Prasad and his wife Karam Kim launched their premium denim line, they named it Bishop of Seventh, in honor of the place their cut their teeth in the fashion industry—namely New York’s Seventh Avenue. Then they packed their bags for L.A.
“We wanted to be around all the big boys in Los Angeles,” says Prasad, referring to major denim brands—J Brand, Seven for all Mankind, Rock and Republic, Paige Premium and others—which are mainly based in L.A., America’s denim capital.
Prasad and his wife had spent their careers on Seventh Avenue, working as designers for high-fashion brands like Calvin Klei

n, Oscar de la Renta, Donna Karan and

Michael Kors. Overnight, they found themselves in the wash houses and denim mills of Downtown L.A., coming up with their own, innovative denim treatments in an already competitive jeans market. “We weren’t really denim people before we started out, so it helped that there was a bunch of chemical engineers in my family,” says Prasad. “That gave me some cool ideas.”
They experimented, putting golf balls and pennies in dryers, and coming up with ways to soften their fabrics with minimal use of chemicals. This was around 2005, at the peak of the premium denim game. Prasad went against the grain, favoring raw, tailored denims and clean rinses rather than the embellished, super-distressed looks that were en vogue at the time. “I felt like we were ahead of our time,’ said Prasad, and he’s right—look around today and it’s all about raw denim, tailoring and minimalism.
Sensing that the premium denim explosion was about to plateau, Bishop decided to expand its focus and throw trousers into the mix (Seven For All Mankind, Joe’s Jeans and Paige Premium Denim have since all launched trouser lines). BofS trousers are engineered, with a twisted seam to elongate the leg and a rayon yarn that “wraps around a woman’s body really well,” says Prasad (He sent me a pair and yes, they do add an inch or two to my tiny frame). “Our trousers have a great price point too," points out Prasad, "especially compared with an Armani trouser for example."
Bishop of Seventh donates a portion of all profits to the charity Earth Rights International, which watches over human rights and environmental abuse by major corporations. (Earth Rights is currently pursuing Chevron for apparently hiring paramilitaries in Burma to oust people from their villages to make way for a pipeline). And for extra feel-good factor, their 35th Street Jean was actually blessed by a monk at a Tibetan Temple in Long Beach (where Prasad and his wife were married). “He performed a ceremony that was 30 minutes long, blessing the jeans for health, happiness and prosperity. Then he told us that we have a good, long journey ahead of us with this company. And so we keep going forward.”
Bishop of Seventh is gifting one Stylephile reader a pair of its 7th Ave jeans in Carbon Grey, plus a Christopher trouser in Black Gabardine (with a combined retail value of around $420).
To win, tell us what your favorite charity is, and why. Most compelling response wins! Leave your answers in the comments section of the post, being sure to include your email address so we can reach you. Deadline is Wednesday June 25, at 5PM.

June 19, 2008 in LOS ANGELES | Permalink

Comments

This competition is now closed. Congratulations Julie!

Posted by The Stylephile | Jun 30 2008 6:38PM

julie@redlovefilm.com Foundation of Joy continued.... She then died unexpectedly during preproduction, 17 weeks pregnant. Her name was Elizabeth Joy. The film is a joyous feature comedy about discovering the meaning of life while on a trip to the grocery store. The film will launch the charity. Thank you! www.foundationofjoy.org www.redlovefilm.com

Posted by julie | Jun 26 2008 10:57AM

julie@redlovefilm.com My favorite charity is the one I founded, with my family, in my younger sister's name. She died in pregnancy after six years of trying to become a mother. The name of thecharity is Foundation of Joy and we support and facilitate adoption. The feature film, Joy, inspired by her life will be out this fall. She was a producer of the film (which we started working on af

Posted by julie | Jun 26 2008 10:50AM

The Women’s Alliance because we can't always count on men to rescue us when we're in trouble. The Women's Alliance is a national organization of independent community-based members who provide professional attire and career skills training low-income women and families who are looking to be self-sufficient. Each year, The Women's Alliance helps more than 50,000 women and families in transition from welfare and poverty to overcome significant employment barriers and the "cost of making a good appearance." Services provided ensure that low-income women and families have the professional attire and career skills coaching they need to make the right impression on job interviews and to succeed in the workplace. The organization survives on donations. They need Gently-worn business clothing in all sizes. Your donations can give these women a chance to leave Hardship and enter the workforce. splashy18@aol.com

Posted by Marina | Jun 25 2008 4:40PM

UNICEF. definitely. because they work globally, mainly for children but not exclusively/entirely. the way the charity is set up allows us to help the needy (adults) help themselves (merchandising), or you can make a straight forward donation. the safety, health and education of children is an absolute necessity. they are the most innocent victims of disaster and cruelty. I often wonder why people want to give so much to people that are able (physically and mentally) to help themselves, like the homeless being fed and clothed on a sunny santa monica beach! Also why many people think they are the responsibility of others/strangers. people lack pride. I do not offer this opinion from a rosy tower, I''ve been there-homeless, penniless, with a child and a dog. but not a moment did I surrender to it, it was my problem I had to fix, slowly and painstakingly I did. (and still am!) p.s save the children before the animals- animals can''t change the world..... suzannelee30@hotmail.com

Posted by suzie Q | Jun 25 2008 1:00AM

The Center for Missing & Exploited Children is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to the prevention and resolution of child abduction. Every day in America 2,300 children are reported missing. Their efforts directly bring home safe more than 400 children every year. To donate 1-800-I-AM-LOST

Posted by Monique | Jun 21 2008 1:11PM

I just enter my comment (re:Child Abductions) without giving you my email address. Here it is Monilove01@hotmail.com

Posted by Monique | Jun 21 2008 12:59PM

It's quite sad to see this blog needs giveaways to get people to comment. And, more sad is when bragging about their "altruistic" efforts. Love the designer, love the jeans, but hate the promotional efforts. Onto fashionista, luxist & other blogs based on quality, not qualifying.

Posted by DK | Jun 20 2008 12:34PM

Woops, i left out my email which is nikkiriverhilton@hotmail.com- and i also wanted to say, but for some reason your website wouldn't let me add it- is, TPRF sends money and food and ways to help people help themselves all around the world- they have been doing this in assosiation with Oxfam and The United Nations World Food program, along with donating thousands of pounds as well to dissadvantaged areas... they are totally inspiring, and i donate when i can to be a little tiny part of what they are going round the globe.

Posted by nikki | Jun 20 2008 8:34AM

my favourite charity is: TPRF.Org they are so great- like right now they have a grant TPRF to Aid Flood Victims in Midwestern USAþ

Posted by nikki | Jun 20 2008 8:30AM

My favorite charity is Ocean Park Community Center (www.opcc.net) which serves and shelters the homeless community in Santa Monica. As you may know, Santa Monica has many homeless people in need and their needs continue to grow as the economy worsens. OPCC has well educated staff who treat the homeless with dignity. They also serve battered women, children, and persons suffering from chronic illness with the same care. We are all fortunate to live in beautiful Southern California but need to help those who are not as fortunate at this time of their lives. tskulski@gmail.com

Posted by Tia | Jun 19 2008 7:23PM

This is a very hard decision given all of the wonderful charites that I support but if I had to chose one it would be the Nature Conservancy. They are the ultimate environmentalists and are known as "all action and no talk". Their concept is simple, they buy land so it stays the way it was meant to be. In one instance, a dam was going to be built that would destroy the habitats of several endangered species. However, when the developers looked at who owned the land, they found that the Nature Conservancy had bought the land several years before with no fanfare and no press releases. The bottom line, no dam was built. They are quietly ensuring that our world stays whole for furture generations one piece of property at a time. ckcoe@msn.com

Posted by Christy Coe | Jun 19 2008 2:19PM

oops... world vision was durnt17@yahoo.com

Posted by durnt | Jun 19 2008 2:07PM

my favorite charity is world vision. my husband and i have been sponsoring a child for several years -- since the child was preschool age. now he is in elementary school and we have been able to see how our gifts have been able to help him buy basic necessities like shoes and books. when we dicided to give in addition to our sponsoring, our very meager gift was used to purchase table tennis equipment for their local boys and girls club.

Posted by durnt | Jun 19 2008 2:05PM

My favorite charity is a local one (15 minutes from my home) called the Noah''s Ark Animal Rehabilitation Center. The facility is home to over 1,000 animals including exotic animals such as a zebra that was found on the interstate in Atlanta. They work with Noah''s Ark Children''s Care Home which provides residential care for up to 24 children. The two centers work together in which children participate in "pet therapy," nurturing the baby wildlife as the animals are rehabilitated in hopes of eventually being returned to their natural habitat. In turn the children also find healing through their interaction with the animals. katzy1@gmail.com

Posted by Katzy | Jun 19 2008 1:43PM

My favorite charity is any company that donates items to people in the military. My husband is in Iraq right now and even though I send him care packages, my heart skips a beat when I see places even like Blockbuster having a sign that they are donating items to men and women at war. natasha.holstine@gmail.com

Posted by Fashionalities | Jun 19 2008 12:24PM

My favourite charity is the YWCA--because sometimes when find themselves in a vulnerable position and they need a resource that they can turn to. cmgmp3@gmail.com

Posted by Christiana | Jun 19 2008 11:39AM