Cheap Monday

Brands We Love: Part 4

Cheap Monday jeans have become almost ubiquitous among young Swedes thanks to their tight cut, low price, and perhaps in part because of the anti-establishment statement made by the brand’s logo; a skull with an inverted crucifix on its forehead.

An Associated Press article from last December claims that while the makers of Cheap Monday don't "take the logo so seriously," logo designer Bjorn Atldax does; he told the AP that he disdains organized religion and that his design is "an active statement against Christianity." Atldax insists his graphic designs have a purpose beyond selling denim: to make young people question Christianity, a "force of evil" that he blames for sparking wars throughout history.

Swedish designer Orjan Andersson spent many years at Lee before leaving to start his own cult brand. Cheap Monday began as something of a cottage industry. Only a couple of years ago, Örjan Andersson was on his knees on the floor of the small warehouse space in the back of his store (Weekday), hand printing his own shirts and jeans (something he still does). Indeed, the jeans and clothes from Cheap Monday are still homemade, the difference being that today they sell in large numbers, challenge the most trendy brands in the jeans business and have even been nominated "best jeans design" by Elle magazine.

While the craze for designer jeans might date back to the late 70's, the prices now paid certainly bear no relation to that era. The price paid today for a ‘currently acceptable designer’ brand is anywhere between $140 to $250. Every year brings a flood of companies selling new denim brands (True Religion, Rock & Republic, Nudie, Rogan, Acne), and yet the increased competition never drives down prices. Paying out more than $100 for a pair of jeans has become the norm, and fledgling companies seem only too willing to perpetuate the pricing policy.

Will Orjan Andersson change all that? In an interview on his website, Andersson claims he isn't opposed to pricey denim—he carries several expensive labels in his store—but he does say that he "noticed that there was not a single decent brand that made cheaper jeans." He's right and it’s worth remembering that denim wasn't ever supposed to be expensive. It was, after all, introduced in the late 19th century as utilitarian work wear. Perhaps Cheap Monday will in some way help denim return to its roots.

Cheap Monday

Available from Weekday and Zoo Village

Comments

[Lilly]

I love cheap mondays where can you find sand or khaki colored skinny jean cheap mondays size 25 online?

[Marc Anthony Saenz]

I'm Seekin' Help...I An Interested In Purchasin' Some Of Your Merchandise. Please Email Me When Any Info Pertainin' To This Matter.

Thank You

Marc.Anthony

[Aslaug]

I need help please? Where can I find Effeltower or Skyscraper Cheep Mondays in New York? (you know the high waist ones) I'm used to buy them in Iceland and now I'm desperate. Barney's and Urban outfitters don't have those types. Thanks for your help**

[Holly Horner]

Please help: Am looking for Cheap Monday Narrow Unwash 6245 (lowcut blue) jeans in size 25 - distributers have stopped buying for London stores that I know of and I've been waiting and wanting for months..if any one has any leads please let me know. Many thanks. HH

[Zoe]

come to Australia

[bobble]

I ADORE my Cheap Mondays--I'd been looking all over (as they're hard to find in the US) and finally got them at Satine in L.A. (Online store = www.satineboutique.com). They're so long and stretchy, basically feel like thick tights, and make my legs look like Barbie legs...I'm addicted. Plus Swedish, and cheap--can't beat that with a stick.