Interview: Everything Old is New Again: The sort of limited edition return of the Z Cavaricci Cateye Pant

The inevitable rebirth of a decades-old fashion trend is either met with a groan -- acid washed denim, ugh -- or a grin. This revival, for a change, is making us smile. So let’s sing a rousing 30^th birthday song to Z-Cavaricci and the brand’s iconic, exceedingly 80s/90s retro Cateye pants. Come on, you know the silhouette: super high waist, folds, flared in the thigh but crazy tapered at the ankle to expose your deck shoes. What better way to celebrate 30 than to show the young’uns how it’s done. Founder James Cavaricci is doing just that. He’s bringing back a limited edition line of 500 cateye pieces, done up in white, olive, black, orange and light or dark vintage denim. We caught up with Cavaricci to find out what made him decide to relaunch and if the pant, and indeed the 80s high waist, are, gasp, here to stay.

Photo: Z Cavaricci

Z Cavaricci "Cateye" retro pants

Seems like so many current labels are influenced by your celebrated design. There were so many similar cateye type styles on the runways of Europe and New York. What made you decide that the time was right to bring back a limited edition collection?

I feel that the timing is perfect. There has been a void in newness this past decade. Our silhouette is so refreshing and needed. The time is right and that’s very exciting to me. We are offering the 512 Cateye pant with a special, limited edition label inside. There are only 500 and we believe they will be unique and collectible.

How does the anniversary collection differ from the styles we all remember in the 80s and 90s? Are there any updates or changes?

The anniversary collection is exactly the same style worn in the 80s and 90s by our customers but we are now using a very high quality 6 oz. Japanese denim and a luxe fine line twill.

Can those of us who “remember it when” wear it again today?

The age of the majority of our customers will be 20 through 35. However, fashion forward people of any age will understand the silhouette, want to wear it and look great.

Photo: Z Cavaricci

Z Cavaricci "Cateye" retro pants

What is your favorite memory of the initial launch of the Cateye pants all those decades ago?

I remember going to clubs, airports, restaurants, traveling and seeing, firsthand, our Z Cavaricci fans wearing the pants.

This can’t be just limited edition. We have a feeling that, after this sells out, you’ll bring the Cateye back full time. Are we right?

Yes, you are right! The first 500 pair are truly limited edition and are labeled as such. And, once they’re sold out, they’re gone. We feel these 500 pairs are very special. However, we are going full throttle with the return of our entire Z Cavaricci line and will offer even more styles and fabrics in the coming months.