Cj by Cookie Johnson: Chatting with Michael Glasser About Denim for Women with Curves!

In the denim world, few people have the street cred or could be called a legendary figure like Michael Glasser. He’s pretty much a historical figure,” a visionary” as he likes to put it about how to fill a niche and create a demand for a product that’s as basic yet so trend-sensitive as denim. Having started Seven for All Mankind (with Jerome Dahan and Peter Koral); then creating Citizens for Humanity with Dahan again. Changing up his business model and based on his talent in vision in design, Glasser created a “dream team” for denim design and created the brand Rich & Skinny (because when you wear it, you feel that way) that creates a luxe feel and appearance with superfine fabric, body styles and unique washs that are truly one of a kind.
Through his own formidable blue jeans/geneaology, Glasser had uncovered this missing link market for the woman who wants a designer look, but doesn’t fit into the standard, slim cut of premium jeans. After a few meetings with Cookie Johnson about the premise for this line, Cj by Cookie Johnson was born to answer that demand: a new premium denim line embracing real bodies in both fit and style.
What’s really incredible is that this line is for all women– regardless of age, size or ethnicity. This is for the real woman– who has curves, a butt and a waist. It’s got style, comfort, and serious versatility with presentations like the “boyfriend”, “straight”, “boot cut”, “high-waist trouser” and coming for fall, the “legging” — a super skinny jean.
Now at this point you are thinking- yeah sure, uh-huh and you are thinking what has shee been drinking. This line fits from 24-38 meaning from 0-18. This is salvation for all you ladies out there from size 12 and up. You can have a sexy, slinky, and amazing pair of premium denim that will last, wear well and make you look fantastic.

As Glasser and Johnson have both stated, this line is about targeting the missing demographic which is the middle American woman whose average size runs 12-14 and maybe a little bigger who has curves, has a real body and deserves to have some fabulous jeans– along with the skinny girls.

This video conversation with Glasser is in 2 parts and really it was a pleasure to speak to someone who I have been seeking to interview for many years (and I have done 17 articles on how to find the best fitting denim for your body as well as profiles no various denim lines).

Glasser is that visionary and he’s an interesting man to talk to. I learned that there is still vision and creativity out there. Plus in part 2 we have a discussion about the retail and the economy and how it’s going. Given that we were in the back of the designer section of Nordstrom South Coast Plaza and the place was packed with Cj by Cookie Johnson fans and people who wanted to see the line, this was really an incredible event, we were lucky to get this much time to talk to Michael Glasser!

Cj by Cookie Johnson Filmore boot cut jean
Thank you to Michael Glasser for this interview and his insight into the denim market!
Stevie Wilson