LOS ANGELES — No one knows hoodies like Mike Gonzalez and Christine Park-Gonzalez, the husband-and-wife team behind the label Mike & Chris. Two years ago, they produced a tight group of hooded sweatshirts that redefined the garment, trading slouchy fleece for chic details such as pleats and ruching, and fabrics such as leather, metallic leather and nylon.

"An interesting hoodie is the one piece that can define an outfit," Gonzalez says. "You can be wearing a simple tank and a pair of jeans, and the hoodie becomes the focal point."

Now the line ranges from their signature leather hoodies to a full collection of men's and women's tops, pants, bags and shoes. Jessica Alba, Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore are fans. Mike & Chris pieces sell for hundreds of dollars alongside the coolest lines at Barneys and American Rag.

On a recent visit to their studio in downtown Los Angeles, we asked Gonzalez to show us how to customize a basic hoodie into something stylish. In an astonishing 40 minutes, with little more than a needle and thread and a length of elastic, he turned an oversize men's sweatshirt into a fantastic hooded tunic, with a sporty feel and an origami pleat in the back.

"We've always liked to take something simple and generic and make it more interesting and individual," Gonzalez says.

He started with a gray, XXL hooded sweatshirt that he bought from a street vendor for $12.99. "You can also take an old sweatshirt from your brother or an old boyfriend and do this."

Gonzalez was so pleased with the result, he plans to include the dress in the next Mike & Chris collection.