There is not a designer alive who makes a better fitting jean for the Baby Boomer body than fashion designer Diane Gilman. Maybe that’s because she’s from that generation as well. Maybe it’s because she’s dressed some of the most fabulous Baby Boomer bodies in the world. Quite frankly I don’t care what the reason is behind her fabulous fitting jeans. I only care that she keeps making them because I can’t live without them!
Diane admits to starting her design career early in life. While other little girls were playing with dolls, she was designing their outfits. By the time she turned 10 years of age, she was working as a stock girl in a fashion boutique. After finishing her education, she opened her first store. Her lucky break occurred when Cher walked in the door. She and her husband at the time, Sonny Bono, walked out with 42 of Diane’s outfits.
Who better to design the best fitting jeans in the world than the designer who dressed Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, and Jimmy Hendrix? These famous customers not only loved the shape and fit of Diane’s clothing, but they also fell in love with her beautiful hand painted designs.
Although Diane obviously loved being the designer to such hot properties, she wanted to pursue fashion on a more professional level. To that end, she moved to New York and into Bloomingdales Department Store (her next major client). They believed so much in her designs that they funded her initial clothing line, paying for the labor and fabric and giving the designer coveted storefront window space.
Everything I see turns into a design — a piece of furniture, a cloud in the sky, a flower garden. You name it, it always converts into clothing…” Gilman claims. And her clients are madly in love with her work; in particular her coveted denim pieces, which are marketed under the DG2 label on Home Shopping Network (HSN).
I originally purchased Diane’s jeans because I couldn’t find a pair locally that didn’t make me look like a sack of potatoes. I figured “what have I got to lose, since I had a 30-day money back guaranteed if I didn’t like the fit.” However, I not only liked the fit, I loved it as well as the comfort and beauty of Diane’s clever and edgy designs.
My most recent pair of DG2 jean features a rolled up leg heavily embellished with faux turquoise and lapis. These jeans definitely look as though they should cost hundreds of dollars while, in fact, they cost no more than a plain denim pair at most local department stores. Some of my other favorites include hand-painted floral jeans designed down one leg and a pair with a distinctive southwestern design, perfect for this Oklahoma girl.
While these jeans are worthy of, and most assuredly look like, a rock star would wear them, they are also affordable enough and durable enough for the average women. Best of all, they perfectly fit the Baby Boomer body with just a hint of spandex for stretch and mobility.
When I want to look good and feel fantastic, it is Diane’s clothing I reach for. In particular, I love her jeans. They come in all shades of denim from regular medium wash to acid wash and the currently popular dark indigo. She does most of her designs in a standard jean cut, but a few eliminate the bulge of excess pockets for those who prefer a more streamlined appearance. DG2 jeans are cut to fit just at or slightly below the waistline for both ease of comfort and a good fit. Oftentimes, Diane offers matching jean jackets to complete the ensemble look.
I simply wouldn’t – – and couldn’t – – do without Diane’s fabulous clothing. She makes me feel special each and every time I wear one of her designs. Who doesn’t want that?
