TOC: You grew up in the Midwest. How did that influence your designs?
Rogan Gregory: Yes, in Kent, Ohio. I feel like the Midwest is really grounded. A lot of my inspiration has that blue-collar feel. It’s gotten to a more avant-garde place, designwise, but it really is rooted in that work-wear feel.

TOC: Your clothing lines also have an emphasis on being sustainable.
Rogan Gregory: That might be what the perception is, but for me it’s really design first. You have to think about what it’s made of, who’s making it, and those all are components to design. With Rogan, just a portion of the line is organic. Loomstate is 100 percent organic. It’s like, if you can do it, why wouldn’t you?

TOC: What’s your design inspiration?
Rogan Gregory: With the Rogan line, I call it “soulful modernism.” I got a compliment recently by this guy who I think owns Fantastic Man magazine. He said that we make minimalism wearable. I don’t like sterile modern. I like modern that has a little grit and a little soul to it. So, if you look at a table that’s mid-century, over the years it’s gotten scarred and worn. It’s still that great modern shape, but it’s also got a lot of character.

TOC: You also have a Target line?
Rogan Gregory: Yeah, that’s going to be out in May. I said, “If you let me do it with organic, and if you let me do it in the summer, I’ll do it.” It’s sexy. It’s all women’s swimwear, which is something I was really excited about because I wouldn’t get that chance with my own brand in the near future.

TOC: When are we going to get a Rogan store in Chicago?
Rogan Gregory: That’s a good question. I’d love to; I don’t know when, though. We’re opening a store [in New York] in April, and it’s something that I’m really proud of. I can’t say I’m proud of everything because nothing seems to be ever satisfying.

TOC: So do you consider yourself a perfectionist?
Rogan Gregory: A reluctant perfectionist. Like, I want to be satisfied, I want to be happy, but I find that I’m usually not. So many of the garments we cut out are close, but not perfect. I keeping thinking the next season is going to be great, perfect, and…

TOC: But if it’s perfect, why keep going?
Rogan Gregory: I think you might be right. I see more perfection in nature, but nature’s had so many years to perfect it. If I could work on something for a solid year straight, I could get it close. But at some point you just have to let go.

Price check

Rogan Gregory denim
Here’s how much you’re paying for Rogan’s jeanious:

• Edun women’s Monarch bootcut jeans (edunonline.com) $175

• Loomstate men’s Prophecy jeans (Nordstrom, 55 E Grand Ave, 312-464-1515) $165

• Rogan men’s Puck jeans (pictured; Apartment Number 9, 1804 N Damen Ave, 773-395-2999) $270