DenimHunt

Rock & Republic Goes Commercial

Rock & Republic is gearing up for its first ad campaign dropping around the September shows. Shot by Mark Segal, the ads will feature model Vladimir, brother of the campaign's artistic director, Julia Restoin-Roitfield. Both siblings are better known as the offspring of French Vogue, Editor-in-Chief, Carine Roitfeld.  The ads will be featured in most major fashion mags. Says Michael Ball, CEO and Creative Director of Rock & Republic, "It was important for our first ad campaign to convey power, strength, confidence and a beautiful image".

Esquire Mag's Denim Breakdown

 

Esquire Magazine just did an informative piece on Yahoo Shopping with the purpose of helping men understand the differences between jeans at four different price points. Click on the article to visit the actual site.

Five Questions for Five Pockets: Eli and Moshe Azran, THE UNKNOWN FACTORY

Recently, we were flipping through the August issue of Lucky with Leighton Meester on the cover and gasped when we spotted a pair of skinny jeans with a pleated detail going down both sides. What an amazing idea, we thought. So, of course we looked for the description and discovered that they were the "Skinny Pleats" made by a company called THE UNKNOWN FACTORY. THE UNKNOWN FACTORY was co-founded by brothers Eli and Moshe Azran, both of whom have impressive backgrounds in the premium denim industry.  Their company is based in Los Angeles where every pair of jeans is handmade giving them the feel of custom tailored pants. Rejecting the logo trend on the back pockets that's prevalent on most premium brands, THE UNKNOWN FACTORY jeans are distinguishable by original, yet subtle detailing with the goal being to compliment rather than overpower.  We were able to catch up with the super-talented Eli and Moshe and are excited to feature them in our Five Questions for Five Pockets series.

1. What was your first pair of jeans?
Eli: First pair of jeans, wow, probably Diesel

Moshe: APC denim

2. Who do you think is the ultimate denim icon?
Eli: Serge Gainsbourg

Moshe: Everyone! I love people that have these super old worn out jeans. I really appreciate that.

3. What are your current favorite jeans?
Eli: I love Tsubi, Nudie and Dior Homme.

Moshe: Still APC's. I live in them year long. As a man, I think you only need 2-3 pairs of jeans in your closet.

4. What denim trend do you wish would go away?
Eli: I hate rhinestones and jeans that you can see from 10 miles away

Moshe: The denim suit!!!

5. What's your number one rule for denim?
Eli: Fit, so important because if you have a pair that fits right they could be from Target and that would be better then wearing a pair of Dior jeans that fit like crap!

Moshe: Never mix and match different denims!!!

Look for their new Fall collection in Barneys New York, Henri Bendel, Intermix, Ron Herman and shopbop.com. 

 
 
 

Jesse McCartney is the new face of Bongo Jeans

Remember when Vanessa Minnillo fronted the Bongo Spring 2007 ad campaign? It seemed like an obvious fit. She was the host of TRL, dating Nick Lachey, graced the cover of numerous magazines. What young, fresh-faced girl wouldn't want to emulate her. Then in Spring 2008 came Kim Kardashian. Okay, nothing to say there, but you get the point. To date Bongo has used young "It' girls to front their campaigns. A list that also includes Nicole Richie, Kristin Cavallari and Rachel Bilson.  Now, in a surprising move, Bongo has made multi-platinum recording artist Jesse McCartney the face of their Fall 2008 ad campaign. Jesse will be the first male spokesperson ever for a line that describes itself as a "young women's fashion lifestyle brand". After the head scratching it all makes sense and is pretty funny when you think about it. What better way to market to teenage girls then to use one of their crushes.  In the ads, Jesse will be flanked by the "Fab Five Fit" girls who will be doing the actual modeling for the brand.  In addition to the ad campaign, Bongo will also be promoting Jesse's tour in August with American Idol Alum Jordin Sparks.

It looks like a win-win for Jesse who says, “There’s nothing better than a girl in a t-shirt and jeans, so the Bongo shoot was a dream come true for me!”

Check out the behind-the-scenes video of Jesse's photo shoot and see the understatement of the year.

True Religion at the Time Warner Center

True Religion Brand Jeans recently opened a store in the luxury haven that is The Shops at Columbus Circle in the Time Warner Center New York.  The store will carry their complete line of apparel and accessories. Says True Religion CEO Jeffrey Lubell "The Shops at Columbus Circle is New York's retail destination for fashion and sophistication, offering an exciting selection of luxury retailers. The Center's upscale reputation, fashionable customer base and central location serve to support our premium brand well." While your there be sure to check out the new arrivals.

Viktor & Rolf & Diesel

What do you get when you cross a highly conceptual, super inventive design duo with an influential premium denim brand? Yeah we don't know either, but we'll soon find out.  Diesel head, Renzo Rosso, has purchased a majority stake in Dutch fashion house Viktor & Rolf through his Italian holding company Only The Brave. The deal will allow Viktor & Rolf to expand the brand by opening five stores over the next five years and adding additional product categories.  The two brands have been in talks since 2006 and according to Rolf Snoeren;

"We needed to team up with a strong partner to realize our dreams. It's like a marriage. You have to be sure you have the right partner. What we like most is [Rosso's] openness toward creativity and out-of-the-box thinking." 

Viktor & Rolf will be added to a growing portfolio of diversified brands controlled by Rosso such as  Martin Margiela, Sophia Kokosalaki, DSquared and Vivienne Westwood.

“Viktor and Rolf represent one of the highest luxury brands of our group: a new, modern and innovative design, detaching itself from the fashion establishment – something I love" -Renzo Rosso

H & M Denim Event

The denim sales are in full effect this summer. From July 24th - 30th H&M is having a US Denim Event and giving away a free t-shirt with any denim purchase. We think H&M has got it right, because what goes better with a pair of jeans than a classic 100% cotton tee.

Alexander Wang Storm Denim(TM) Part II

When fashion meets function everybody wins, but much to our chagrin there are few success stories. That's why we love award-winning designer Alexander Wang . Featured in the Fashion News section of this month's NYLON are Wang's waterproof premium jeans made in collaboration with Cotton Incorporated.  We covered Wang's foray into a realm traditionally reserved for outerwear several month's ago, so we are patting ourselves on the back for being the first to identify an idea that's so innovative.  Waterproof denim has been attempted before, but what makes Wang's effort so unique is that the waterproof treatment is breathable and applied in garment form after all of the styling effects and finishes are done.  The jeans that he chose to use this treatment on are black, flare-legs with a zipper detail that when unzipped  split the jeans completely in half. How cool is that! Watch the video we posted several months ago that show Wang himself demonstrating how the treatment works on this very same pair.

Paige Premium Denim Sale

If you live in LA your in luck. Paige Premium Denim is having a huge sale at SIren Studios in Hollywood this weekend and no item is over $75!

The Boyfriend Jean

 

Every so often a trend is accurately predicted by designers, but released too early. Because of the poor timing it's doomed to obscurity with the hopes that it will be revived at the right time, fresh, new and ready to make a splash. With that said, remember the 'boyfriend' jean? That's what we thought. Unfortunately, it was introduced around the same time as the skinny jean and we know which one won out. However, now that the skinny jean has become so ubiquitous we think the boyfriend jean is a slick alternative. The models above show the flexibility of this look, although we think the tassled boots are a stretch. To the left are a pair of aged and faded Current/Elliott jeans and those to the right are designed by Yohji Yamamoto made with Japanese, selvedge denim. Victoria Beckham, ever the fashion plate, at least in her own mind, was seen back in June wearing a pair and we love it!

UPDATE: Victoria Beckham is wearing a pair of Prps boyfriend Jeans.