Marithe + Francois Girbaud Files For Bankruptcy

Tears are hitting my keyboard as I reluctantly type the bad news. Iconic jean company Marithe Francois Girbaud has filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy, which means they are re-organizing their debt and may actually stay in business. Girbaud jeans literally defined "cool" in the 80's and 90's and were pioneers of the denim washes, particularly stone washing. The brand also gained popularity heading into the new millennium as a result of being heavily referenced by rappers like Notorious B.I.G. and The Hot Boys.

I can totally remember a time back in middle school when Girbaud jeans literally defined your cool status. No matter who you were, it was all about that little white tag on your crotch that signified that you were wearing Girbauds. I remember having a pair of black "african-cut" Girbauds with the gold stitching and thinking I was so cool. My peers wore everything from the classic stone-wash to purple with black stripes.

Most recently, the hip hop community kept Girbauds alive with an extra-baggy design that featured multiple strap-like materials that flaunted the Girbaud brand and were stitched directly onto the jeans. Thanks to rappers like Juvenile, Lil Boosie, and others, this style of Girbauds remained popular amongst consumers for a while, but with skinny form-fitting jeans being the "in thing" as of late, it looks like Girbaud isn't seeing anything near the payday that it once enjoyed.

Right now every kid who got teased for NOT having Girbauds is having the last laugh, but we choose to immortalize Girbaud and their innovative designs through old Cash Money Records videos.

Juvenile ft. Mannie Fresh & Lil Wayne - 'Back That A** Up' (Dirty)

Did you own Girbauds? If so - What color? What style? What time period did you own them in?

#RIPGirbaud

[via WDD]