This debate concerns THREE distinct brand names.
7 for all mankind
Seven7
Seven Express
The word and number seven is causing alot of confusion when distinguishing brands. The word/number is part of many trademarked brand names and a size no less. Many buyers have been fooled or turned-off by poor item descriptions and suspect stock photos. Until ebay provides sellers with brand name drop-menus for jeans(eg. purses/handbags) buyers will have to be more knowledgeable and discerning when browsing & bidding.
Seven7 originated in Europe in the 60's. The trademark was registered in 1978 in Italy. Subsequent registration in France and other European countries followed. Seven7 jeans began appearing in the US in 1998. Gerard Guez, a well known personality in fashion and entertainment in Los Angeles, CA, acquired the Seven7 brand from its European owner. With all due respect to its European origins, and separate liscensing agreements.
7 for all mankind was established and launched 2000. Notice '7' is not spelled out, this is the proper brand name, check out the website. The full name is long, became widley known as and referred to as 'sevens'
Seven Express is a line of jeans by Express/Lane Bryant. I know that Lane Bryant sells Seven7 jeans and I think that Express just made their own knock-off version.
All have attempted to sue each other, big suprise. 7 for all mankind filed against Lane Bryant/Express for alleged copyright infrigement. 7 for all mankind filed against Seven 7 claiming they were trying to unfairly capitalize on their success using false trademark claims. Seven 7 countersued in December saying that Seven For All Mankind infringed on their trademark. ***info from a L.A. business journal article***
Telling them apart: KNOW YOUR TAGS!
7 for all mankind: their website has a detailed description and instructions for identifying them. All 7 For All Mankind pants contain three labels attached on the interior waistband above the left front pocket. The top label is a small red/maroon-colored label with the pant size written in gold stitching. Under the size label is a large beige label containing the 7 For All Mankind logo at the top followed by the style number, the content, the wording "Made in USA of Imported Fabric", a cut number and lastly the words "See care on reverse." Beneath the size and care label is a small security label. A silk-screened rubberized depiction of the 7 For All Mankind logo appears in the center and back of the waistband.
Seven7 brand contains the word and number. Seven7 jeans have signature back pocket stitching that is a single loop or an 'S'.
Seven Express have a classic black Express inside tag that reads 'EXPRESS Seven' in white letters.
________________________________________
Update! 9/19/06
A member sent me a message a while back and gave me some more info:
Hi. I just read your review on Seven jeans, but thought you might want to clear up a couple of things. In the review, you say that with 7 for all Mankind jeans that the 7 is not spelled out, however, when the jeans were first produced, the right back pocket, inner waistband, and inside pocket all have 7 spelled out as Seven. Also, you stated that all 7 for all Mankind jeans have three labels, but many of these jeans have only a small white size tag along with a larger white paper tag (old and new pairs.) There is a website called HonestForum.com that gives complete information about these and other designer jeans, especially about how to determine authentic from counterfeit. Anyways, thank you for putting out the review. The more people that are informed, the better.
Thanks!
I too have seen more style variations that make my initial authenticity characteristics incomplete. I sold my first pair of Rock & Republic jeans a month ago, the interested bidders asked detailed questions about the jeans. The backsides of the rivets and garment tag information confirmed authenticity. I have sold a few pair of Joe's jeans and had questions about their authenticity. The Joe's website has a toll-free number and a live chat, that may help!?
The more jeans I sell and the more questions I receive regarding authenticity, makes me wish I could simply direct potential buyers to the homepage of the brand in question for an authentic answer! I see anti-fake advertising ploys on ebay, and scoff. It feeds ignorance. Potential buyers are supposed to be paranoid without the information they need to verify authenticity?
Brand names need to step up and provide authentication information!
Update! 7/6/07
So I found a pair of '7 for express' jeans at a thrift store and took this photo on my cell phone:
This is an attempt to look like 7 for all mankind printed inner waistline logo. I have also seen 7 for express jeans that look nearly identical to Seven7 with embroidered logo and patches, only the button fly read: 'seven express'.
Lately while thrift shopping I have seen other cheap juniors denim brands copying the 7 for all mankind rear pocket logo set up. For the 5 pocket jeans, 7 for all mankind typically has a logo tab on the right rear pocket and above on the waistline. Most are burgundy with mustard yellow, I have seen black and gray on black jeans. The pocket one has the logo in lower case cursive and the waistline one has the number 7, both have a static-like stitched design. I saw the brand Bongo shamelessly copy the exact style/color, with their own logo.
My boyfriend recently sold a pair of Seven7 jeans and the buyer filed a complaint that the jeans were fake. If you are interested:
Item number: 260132985698
The buyer somehow thought they were buying 7 for all mankind jeans. NOWHERE in the title or listing can you find the words; 'for all mankind'. That is how seriously ignorant people are!
In my own listings for Seven7 jeans, I put a reminder that the auction is for the brand name Seven7(in 48 font). That helps, I haven't had a confused buyer since. I encourage all sellers to emphasize the type of seven jeans you are selling, big time.
I have some more photos! Below is an example of fake Seven7 jeans(made by Express). The Express logo is on the fly button.
Update 9/6/07
I found some more fakes and copycats! Below is the first fake Rock & Republic I have ever seen:
They were made in hong kong and the embroidered pockets were the only logos on them. They were super ugly.
Below is a Miss Sixty copycat:
a sad attempt of Miss Sixty Snuffle jeans.
above is a really bad 7 for all mankind fake, the backs of the rivets were the big telltale feature, they should be copper and have '7' stamped on them. They were aluminum and logoless.
)
