MICHAEL GLASSER
CEO, Cj by Cookie Johnson

In the denim world, Michael Glasser is something of a legend. To put it plainly, he is responsible for creating the premium denim craze. A decade ago he created Seven for all Mankind. A line that would grow to populate closets across the United States and internationally, and which the fashion media would affectionately call "Seven". This mega-successful brand was the brainchild of Glasser and his partners Jerome Dahan and Peter Koral – and it offered women a superior, sexy fit and stylish details.

But, as Glasser will share, the journey was not as simple as the stitch in a jean. Glasser and Dahan eventually exited Seven. This new beginning yielded another smash hit denim line called Citizens of Humanity. Citizens' reputation for a fantastic fit put Glasser's second 'blue jean baby' on top in denim sales. The line also donated generously to Conservation International, a non-profit working for the preservation of the Earth and global bio-diversity.

In 2006, retailers -- overstocked in basic 5-pocket premium denim -- struggled in a lackluster denim market. Glasser, on his own now, responded by assembling his denim dream team to develop a line featuring Japanese superfine fabric and more depth in body styles. Rich & Skinny (aptly named for the way it makes the customer feel) focuses on color, unique washes (gold, snake, silver) and style. Rich & Skinny became the antidote to dull denim – and the collection has since been embraced by Hollywood fashionistas like Blake Lively, Jessica Biel, Rihanna and Carrie Underwood.

Glasser now resides in Los Angeles and divides his time overseeing Rich & Skinny and his newest project: Cj by Cookie Johnson. Recognizing a void in the marketplace, Glasser and his partner Cookie Johnson set out to create denim for curvy women with real bodies. "This line completes a picture for a demographic that has been ignored," says Glasser.

Before his historic denim ventures, Glasser ran numerous LA-based apparel companies including French Dressing, Bronx Casual Clothing and Democracy. It was Simply Pants, however, that initially wooed him out West from his native New York. Glasser, impressively, took Simply Pants from $15 to $120 million in just four years, with his instinct for trends and eye for fabric.