Dear Readers,

Finding the perfect pair of jeans is a challenge for so many women. Which is why when I get an opportunity to ‘test drive’ a new design that sounds appealing I’m there.  So I was so thrilled to attend the launch of Cookie (Magic) Johnson’s launch of her new jean line: CJ at the Tyson’s Nordstrom’s last Saturday.

First the jeans. Because I am over 6ft tall, finding jeans with a 35+ inseam is virtually impossible. So I went with an interest to see how the jeans fit me to make the appropriate recommendations to my personal shopping clients but not thinking they’d be long enough for me! When I met Cookie and she asserted the length would be perfect I was definitely skeptical. So I picked out two pairs to try on—the skinny jeans (Joy) and the straight cut (Faith).

The skeptic had to do a double take. The Faith pair was not only the perfect length for Amazonian me, but the fit was unbelievable—like a glove. In a dark blue rinse with details befitting a designer brand: a rhinestone-embellished button closure; the Signature ‘CJ’ embroidery on the back pocket; the red silk lining on the inside pockets and the inside waistband with the word ‘Faith’ embroidered across the back.  I was exceptionally impressed.  And the ‘to die for’ fit (a 14” high rise in the back and a respectable 9.5 inch rise in the front) in a cotton/poly blend that felt so light and comfortable to wear. I was blown away. Here is the evidence front and back:

The next pair, the skinny ‘Joy’ jeans, was made out of a heavier fabric, with a slightly lower rise overall. It fit great too and looked amazing. But truth be told, I am not a low rise jean gal and that was a smidgen past my comfort point. But all the same attention to detail as the Faith was there.

Cookie was wearing her boyfriend style—‘Love’ and she looked awesome. Here is the pair on Nordstrom’s site:

There is also a bootcut stretch ‘Grace’ that comes in white for summer (yes!).

Models were on hand posing to show shoppers what they were in store for and women were excitedly trying on the jeans. My friend tried on 3 pairs but being a petite with an inverted triangle figure, the jeans did not do her justice. Which lead me to conclude that the jeans are really most flattering on taller women with ‘a bit of booty’. According to Cookie, the jeans are cut fuller in the thigh, rear and hip to accommodate women with curves, and have a much higher rise in the back to avoid panty peek a boo. All (except the boyfriend and cropped style) have that super long  35” inseam. For me, slam dunk!

Cookie herself is delightful. She is engaging, approachable and really down to earth. She humored me with my request for multiple photos and spent time to talk to me about her design aesthetic. 

I asked her about the design names, ‘Faith’, ‘Love’, ‘Grace’, ‘Joy’. And she smiled as she explained animatedly her spiritual core and how it was essential for her to convey a message rooted in a faith she so firmly believes in. She also pointed out that it was important for her to pay attention to the little details in the construction of the design and to ensure the jeans felt soft against the skin. Hence the silk lining on the waistband in her signature color, red.

Cookie also shared that her desire to design jeans was sparked by nothing more than not being able to find jeans to flatter her figure. When I asked if she had other designer aspirations, she shrugged nonchalantly and replied that she really isn’t trying to be a designer. She wanted to fill a need for herself and by so doing help other women too. If anything, she may branch out into slacks (for women with curves) but that is far as her designer ambitions go at this point.

The CJ jeans are currently being sold at Nordstrom department stores and will be on racks at Bloomingdales and Neiman Marcus in the fall. The launch is still brand new and you can see and feel the excitement of the budding designer all over. Cookie was smiling the whole time. I wish her every success!! And I’ll be back to buy my pair of Faith jeans very soon, now that I’ve test drived. Every girl needs a few pairs of perfect fitting jeans.

© The Image Diva, Élan Image Management