Los Angeles - March 25, 2003

Smarty Pants

Oliver Twist Jeans

You are a true intellectual.

You drop Jane Austen references when describing creme brulee. Kick Dostoevsky when talking about the weather.

And not just for pretense. You believe such wisdom is in your genes.

Time to put your booty where your brains are.

Designer Kristopher Enuke, the Nigerian-born, London-raised, L.A.-based hotshot behind the Oliver Twist line, is going denim. His Oligo Tissew collection (he invented the phrase to mean “refined cloth”) has all the usual fancy-jeans detailing — delicate hand-stitching, artfully washed fabric, cuts to flatter all asses.

What’s new are the literary references sewn onto the back pockets. On the left cheek: red remembrance bows commemorate children born into Dickensian circumstances. On the right: a three-dimensional star — because every one of those poor little imps has the potential to grow up to be David Copperfield, Tiny Tim, or — heck — even J.Lo.

Now who you calling a smart ass?

Available at Fred Segal, 8118 Melrose Avenue, at Crescent Heights Boulevard (323-655-3734).