DenimHunt

UPDATE: Habitual Spring/Summer 2011 Preview

UPDATE: There are pros and cons to having a point and shoot camera. The pros are it's very portable and and unencumbering during what I call "Preview Season". I've tried toting around the larger, professional cameras and ugh, annoying. Especially when you have several showrooms in one day and lots of notes to take. The downfall, however, is I have to take tons of pictures to get a few good shots. So big, huge thank you to the folks at Habitual Jeans who were able to provide better photos from my visit with them. Some of the original photos are still there so you know I was actually at their office and not pulling your leg *wink*, but the studio shots give a much better visual of what I was trying to describe in the original post (below). Be sure to keep scrolling down for a preview of the lookbook which will go up in the next few weeks when "Preview Season" turns into "Lookbook Season".

 

All of the Fashion Weeks are over and the Spring/Summer 2011 preview season has officially begun. One of our first stops this Fall was at the New York City showroom of Habitual. This was my first visit to the brand who has been around since 2001, and I was curious to see what they offered.

Habitual has moved beyond just nicely fitted denim that is easily distinguishable by the maltese cross on the back pocket. The Spring/Summer 2011 season was full of jeans and trousers with the most soft, luxurious hands that remained a feature throughout the collection regardless of the treatment ---and there were a wide variety of treatments.

Subtle, all-over studding and psychedelic swirls (above) were light and wearable while black-on-black animal prints had me cursing my camera for it's inability to capture the effect. There were several glam pieces like the skinny jean with all-over sequins, a tie-dye wash and a glossy python print all of which will have onlookers turning their heads. Lightweight indigo trousers were cuffed at the bottom and voluminous, reminding me of a polished version of the boyfriend jean. Actual boyfriend jeans looked weighty from a distance but when handled proved to be super lightweight. 

Not everything was decked out with fancy finishes. Sprinkled throughout the collection were abraded and torn jeans to simple, sophisticated indigo washes for habitual denim wearers (pun intended). One of my favorite pieces was a pair of roomy shorts that would transition seamlessly into Fall with a pair of leggings. I also loved the bleached out cargo skinnies where the fabric was so heavily brushed it felt like the softest of moleskins.

Levi's Workwear by Pendleton

 

No matter how progressive Levi's has become over the years, they never pass up a chance to celebrate their workwear roots. Their latest limited-edition collection is a collaboration with Pendleton Woolen Mills --known for their high quality wool blankets and garments.

A Native American patterned "Levi's Jacquard" in indigo, gold and red was created by Pendleton and applied to several styles. The three colors stand for the colors of a "well-worn pair of vintage Levi's jeans" and are most notable in the trucker jacket (above) available for both men and women.

The collection will retail between $118 and $198. It will be available on November 8th at Levi's stores, www.levi.com, Pendleton stores and www.pendleton-usa.com.

 

MiH Jeans Spring/Summer 2011 Preview

There is nothing like being witness to the evolution of a brand. Although MiH Jeans has a history going back to the 1960's, it's recent incarnation, which initially drew inspiration from its archives, has evolved into more than just a heritage brand. Spring/Summer 2011 brings new fits, fabrications, a special capsule collection and a separate heritage line that has grown in size and distinction.

With each passing season the collection becomes more and more sophisticated, eschewing the overt sex appeal common in women's jeans today, for more polished silhouettes. Add to that soft, hazy, sun bleached effects, as well as nostalgic washes, and the result is a women's denim collection that is like no other in stores today. Case in point, where it has become common to coat a pair of jeans with wax or polyurethane in order to achieve a rock & roll, edgy, leather-like finish, MiH uses a lighter coating on the "Marrakesh" trouser" (above), that enhances the vintage wash while simultaneously modernizing it. The result is a trouser that is quite refined. The slim slouch "Tokyo" jean with rolled cuffs channels a look popularized by the boyfriend jean, but are much more chic and unlike the boyfriend jean, are more likely to have staying power in your jean rotation.

MiH's Heritage Collection uses selvedge denim, a rarity in women's jeans, but manages to tone down the masculine hardness of it. This is most notable in loose fitting jeans that have the lightweight, crinkled look of linen pants. However, just like in men's jeans the selvedge edge can be shown off in rolled cuffs with additional selvedge stripes added to the pockets.

Pops of color, in pastel brights and an amazing olive green, were sprinkled sparingly among the indigos this season adding an element of fun. Pink chambray shirts and sunny yellow jeans were given the same washed down, sun-bleached look and blended in seamlessly with the overall nostalgia. 

Rounding out the season are a selection of classic shirts and tees made in light, airy styles that are complimentary to the collection.

 

Swizz Beatz in Head to Toe G-Star RAW

 

 

Super producer Swizz Beatz attended the premier of Kanye West's new short film Runaway. Only Kanye could have an actual premier for a short film, but I digress...

Just a few days before Swizz was spotted at the G-Star Raw Soho store where he picked out that very blazer, some jeans and a pair of suede sneakers.

 

 

 

Keri Hilson in Rock & Republic Python Print Leggings

 

Keri Hilson must be on a denim kick this week. She was spotted exiting the G-Star RAW store in New York loaded down with bags but wearing a pair of Rock & Republic's "Valentina" low-rise legging in Black Python.

The R&B singer isn't known for being tame, although she is much more subdued than her contemporaries, but her look does offer ideas on how to wear the printed jeggings give or take a few items. 

The leggings retail for $148 and can be purchased at shop.rockandrepublic.com.

 

 

Glee's Mark Salling in Music Partnership with Guess

The Glee machine is probably one of the most unstoppable forces in pop culture right now. They just can't do anything wrong. Well, other than the whole GQ thing but we'll let other people dissect that decision.

The latest Glee kid to diversify himself is Mark "Puck" Salling who has entered a partnership with Guess that will involve having a presence in stores and online starting with the promotion of his new album "Pipe Dreams". The first single "Fugitive" is on the Guess website until March 31st. Guess will also be promoting his new album in stores with a download card gifted with any purchase of $125 or more. Expect to see Mark in New York and LA for CD signings in select Guess stores.

Listen to Mark's new single at shop.guess.com.

Alessandra Ambrosio Wears Gray Jeans the Right Way in Black Orchid Jeggings

 

Model Alessandra Ambrosio was spotted in Beverly Hills looking ever the stylish mom in a pair of Black Orchid's "Black Jewel" jeggings in Mist. I love the gray wash on these jeans and how Alessandra pulled a look together of black accessories with a pop of color in a slouchy sweater. Gray jeans aren't very common and maybe she'll give some of us a little style inspiration on how to wear them.

As an aside, check out her daughter. Can you be any more stylish when you're still toddling? It definitely pays to have a top model mom.

The jeggings retail for $118 and can be purchased at www.revolveclothing.com

 

Matt Damon Wears J Brand to "The Early Show"

Okay, so I'm excited about this particular "Celebrity Denim" item because it's the first time I've ever been able to talk about Matt Damon. You're welcome.

Matt was promoting his new movie Hereafter with director-extraordinaire Clint Eastwood on the The Early Show a few days ago wearing J Brand's "Kane" slim straight leg jeans in Outshine. I have to say, he's definitely going for a more, shall we say, mature look in a blazer, glasses and long-ish hair. Not bad. And the cruddy shoes makes him look all the more the college professor.

The jeans retail for $189 and can be purchased at www.revolveclothing.com.

 

G-Star RAW Spring/Summer 2011 Preview

 

Visiting the G-Star RAW showroom can be an overwhelming experience. With men's and women's collections in different ranges (G-Star RAW main line, RAW Organic, RAW Essentials, RAW Correct, Marc Newson for G-Star and Low-T) that seem to grow with every passing season, the sheer amount of product makes it almost impossible to see everything all in one day.

Shortly after I began browsing through the showroom perusing the Spring/Summer 2011 collection, I realized that there was no way I was going to be able to talk about all of their product. So the question became, how do I do it justice. At first I thought, well, I'll just take photos of the most interesting pieces. When I got home I realized that there were so many interesting pieces that I took way too many photos, not to mention that I didn't get enough photos of menswear. So even though I narrowed these down to just a few key pieces which I found extraordinary, it is just a fraction of what's hitting stores next Spring. Thankfully, there's a such thing called Lookbooks and when I get it, you'll be sure to see it too.

It's no secet I'm a fan of the brand. I love how they have a distinct design aesthetic and have managed to evolve without straying too far from this distinction. This isn't typical for many brands of comparable size who's modern offerings are so much different then their earlier products that, save for the logo, you wouldn't recognize it. From the signature "Arc" pant, to the architectural details, when you see a pair of G-Star RAW jeans, there's no mistaking what brand it is regardless of how long ago they were made.

As with past seasons, womenswear has a somewhat androgynous feel with some of the items looking interchangeable with menswear. For example, the "Arc" pant can be found in most of the brand's ranges but is a sharp stand out among womenswear for its heavier ounce denim and 3-Dimensional distressing which is in stark contrast to the skin-tight, spandex-blend "jeans" that are popular today. Details like a synthetic coating that covers the entire back pocket seem to be pulled from menswear as well and make women's jeans much more interesting than they have been lately. A jumper in RAW Essentials was one of the most fun items and RAW Correct included denim dresses blended with tencel showing a softer side of the brand.

The range of sustainable offerings has expanded greatly beyond the RAW Organic line, which is made of organic cotton. There is also a RAW Sustainable line and a RAW Recycled line which are made of sustainable materials and recycled denim respectively. A technology that really blew me away was G-Star's additon of a men's denim jacket and matching jeans made of the nettle plant aptly called RAW Nettle. This range, and the variety of apparel produced under it, shows not only social responsibility but a continuing commitment to keep pushing the envelope not only in design but in technology. 

It's no wonder I'm always excited to see them every season.

Hilary Duff is Like Katy Perry and Rihanna in J Brand Jeans

 

Actress, singer and newlywed Hilary Duff can now add another hyphenate to her title, "author". Hilary, recently made the foray into fiction with the release of her new book Elixir. A quick check on Amazon shows a majority 5 star rating, but not many people have reviewed it yet so we'll have to wait and see what the masses thing. In the meantime, the Duffster is doing her book tour and was spotted at Barnes & Nobles in Miami signing copies for fans. Of course she looked fierce while doing it in a  pair of J Brand "901" leggings in Brigade. Hilary joins the ranks of other celebs like besties Katy Perry and Rihanna who are also fans of this style.

The jeans retail for $172 and can be purchased at www.jbrandjeans.com.