New brand of jeans premiers in N.Y.

They go with everything from T-shirts to tunics and slippers to stilettos. They are ubiquitous, come in countless shapes and shades and are the panacea for every sartorial crisis. That's why jeans are so popular, particularly in the casual fashion environment of the college campus.

Originally a symbol of a youthful rebellion against adult authority in the 1950s, jeans have since grown so prevalent that people of all ages and backgrounds can be seen donning some denim. Still, denim has never ceased to be part of the unofficial college "uniform," even at khakied Princeton.

And though not everyone may be able to afford a pricey pair of designer jeans, the new denim line by Rock & Republic, which made its New York debut at Bergdorf Goodman Saturday afternoon, certainly appeals to a college-aged audience by pairing our favorite apparel with rock stars' names.

Based in Los Angeles, Rock & Republic was the brainchild of Michael Ball when his girlfriend received many compliments on the pair of jeans he had designed for her. Thus the fashion company was founded just two short years ago. But it has since blossomed, growing in popularity so fast it's almost alarming.

"My goal is to build a 'Sexy' America," Ball said in a press release. "I think once someone wears the jeans they can see how it enhances their shapes and they are guaranteed to receive compliments. I want people to feel sexy and have be happy about their bodies."

Each pair of Rock & Republic jeans is the namesake of a famous rock star, and the line includes such apparel as "the Courtney," "the Sting" and "the Mick." And how can jeans named after rock stars not contribute to the establishment of a "Sexy" America?

"The jeans really fit the particular person I'm naming it after," Ball said, adding that "the Sting" and "the Mick" are probably the most popular pairs. Ball also noted that he has even met some of the people for whom his jeans are named. "She digs it," he said of Gwen Stefani.

Ranging in colors from brown to white to the pinky mauve of "the Lenny," and all shades of blue, Rock & Republic jeans are tight, low slung and extremely sexy. They could easily serve as an alternate to the tight, black pants often seen at the Street on the weekends.

Ball designed them to exude sex appeal; "I love women!" he said, explaining his motivation behind the designs. He combined this love with his appreciation of rock and R&B music to inspire his creations. A line of clothing for men will break next year and the company also sells T-shirts.

While Ball's longtime friend and managing partner, Andrea Bernholtz, notes that college students are certainly a target market for the company, the price range is a little high for most student's wallets. At the premiere, the jeans on the racks ranged in prince from about $135 to about $225.

Still, those who buy a pair will be at the front of fashion on campus, joining my photographer Deborah Brundage '03 and myself, who each took the opportunity to get a pair. "They're the best pair of jeans I own," Brundage said.

The "jeans for the people," as the company's slogan declares, have been donned by many celebrities including Salma Hayek, Debra Messing, Alanis Morrisette and Sheryl Crowe. They will also appear in next month's Cosmopolitan magazine.

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Rock & Republic jeans are sold in stores all over the world, but had yet to appear on the East Coast until this weekend. Clearly Rock & Republic is an up-and-coming company in the fashion world that will not be fading into the background any time soon.