DenimHunt

Level 99 Spring/Summer 2011 Lookbook

 

 

Level 99 this season is all about grown-up utility. Military and/or safari details are evident in pockets, seams and other accoutrements. The overall color palette of tans, grays, olive greens and of course indigo further accentuate this theme.

It's easy to become weary of utilitarian styles especially when it seems that most brands use these type of details to seem progressive. With that said though, I have to say, I really like Level 99's take on it. It's understated, classic and less likely to become dated than other, more over the top, looks.

 

Halle Berry's Black Orchid Double Take

 

Halle Berry was once again spotted in LA, once again in the rain and once again in the same pair of jeans. And now that I think about it, I've seen her in those boots before too. The hot mom took daughter Nahla to a Disney on Ice show in a pair of Black Orchid "Black Jewel" skinny jeans in Oxygen. The same pair she wore last week during a business meeting.

It's nice to know that with all of her wealth she shares the same philosophy as us when it comes to clothing ---wear it 'til it wears out.

The jeans retail for $180 and can be purchased on www.amazon.com.

 

 

 

Nine in the Morning The Natural Collection Lookbook

 

Nine in the Morning is a fairly new brand based out of Venice Italy and currently making inroads in the US market in stores like American Rag CIE and Shopstyle.com.

The company claims to produce one of the most organic denim lines on the market with a sustainable line called The Natural Collection. The Natural Collection is made from organic cotton dyed using vegetable indigo. Indigo is already a plant but I assume the vegetable dye utilizes less chemicals.

Nine in the Morning also has a main collection that is pretty impressive. Because their current lookbook isn't available I posted their Fall/Winter 2010 collection instead. Try not to be impressed by the slick finishes as well as the on trend styles mixed in with those that are a little avant-garde.

 

 

 

Cycle Jeans Spring/Summer 2011 Lookbook

It always surprises me when I'm introduced to a "new" brand just to find out that they've been in business for a significant amount of time.  Cycle Jeans has been around since 2000, but being largely based in Italy, I don't feel so bad.

The lookbook has a very European feel to it with peg-leg styles for both men and women; many of which are accentuated with cuffs. Denim shirts have been a standout for Spring 2011 and Cycle is no exception with a plethora of styles and washes for both sexes. Denim onesies for women have made an appearance in several collections as well and I wonder if the trend will stick this time due to the popularity we saw of the onesie short this summer.

 

 

Vanessa Hudgens Keeps Warm in Black Orchid Jeans

Vanessa Hudgens isn't letting her recent breakup from heartthrob Zac Efron get her down. She was spotted looking quite the happy camper while shopping for Christmas gifts in Burbank, California.

Vanessa, never the one to keep it simple, wore a pair of Black Orchid's "Black Jewel" skinny jeans in Smoke that were mostly concealed beneath a pair of sky-high, thigh-high boots. The starlet tried her best to keep warm if keeping warm is wearing a shearling parka wide open and dangling off your shoulder. Yeah, that was a bit snipy but give me a break. New York just got twenty inches of snow.

The jeans retail for $119 and can be found at www.michelle-en-vogue.com.

 

GUESS Spring/Summer 2011 Lookbook: Menswear

Guess' men's collection this season is much like women's in that denim is not only seen in jeans but is incorporated throughout the collection. Shirts and jackets stand out among the denim offerings which is saying a lot when you consider what they're up against.

Jeans run the spectrum when it comes to washes and there's something for everybody; raw indigo, light to heavy abrasions and even antiqued. Novelty washes make an appearance as well in three dimensional grays or bright fuschias. The silhouette looks to be largely slim-straight or straight leg which is turning out to be a popular fit for men.

Shirts however took a surprising turn just with the sheer number of them. I guess the days are gone when one denim shirt and a jacket or two were thrown into a collection just to make it interesting. The variety alone speaks volumes especially when you consider that they threw a pink-tinted acid wash in there this season. It might be safe to say that denim shirts are moving beyond a fad to become a bonafied trend but it's still too soon to predict whether it has the staying power of premium denim in general. I'm curious to see how this plays out. What do you think?

 

 

 

 

Freedman Denim Holiday 2010 Lookbook

 

All of us could probably name at least ten denim brands without even trying. It's simple really. When we think of denim, we think of jeans, and most of us have several favorite pairs in our closet and can rattle off a few we'd like to add.

As much as I love a good pair of jeans (obviously), I'm always drawn toward companies that go beyond the basic five-pocket and many nowadays will throw a denim dress, skirt or shirt in the mix. But did you ever think there would be a company that specializes in denim but not jeans? Enter Freedman Denim.

When I first flipped through their lookbook I was surprised at what I saw ---a photo collection of nothing but shirts with a substantial amount of them being denim. I was also suprised at what I didn't see ---jeans. Imagine. A company with "Denim" in the name but not one pair of jeans. Times. They are a-changing.

These shirts are not what one would expect from a denim shirt. We're not talking basic indigo or washed down looks, although those are included as well. Freedman Denim has earned their name and then some with blacks, plaids, organic, crosshatch weaves and the mark of quality denim ---selvedge. All of them are perfectly tailored for a great fit ---another mark of quality denim. Hmm, I have to look back on the words I've used in this story;"selvedge", "fit", "indigo", "organic", "denim", but not "jeans". Yes, people, they are a-changing.

 

7 For All Mankind Spring/Summer 2011 Lookbook

 

 

 7 For All Mankind has produced the quintessential denim collection this season with just the right amount of everything.

For women they are continuing their 10th Anniversary trouser story with 70's style flares in throwback washes and details. The military trend, which never really seems to go away, has made an appearance as well but uses minimal details for more streamlined looks.

Men's actually takes a more resort-y turn for the season with whites, brights and an overall lightness in fabric, texture and color. There's a darker story that stands out somewhat among the light with darker washes and some jazzy finishes, like the black camo spatter over a gray wash. However, it's not overdone and fits in seamleassly in what is definitely a flawless collection.

 

Closed Spring/Summer 2011 Lookbook

Utilitarian is a term often used in the progressive end of the denim industry and often used when describing brands that make liberal use of cargo pockets, extreme angles and functional accessories. Many times these details are military-inspired taking inspiration from the accoutrements of some of the most functional clothing in the world. But what do you get when a brand takes inspiration from postal workers' uniforms?

German brand (via Italy) Closed has done this very thing and somehow has come up with what you see today ---a collection of artsy yet wearable pieces with a focus on details and finishes. From the carrot leg crop (above) to the mechanic-style jumpers as well as the fabulously worn washes this is definitely a brand worth watching.

 

 

GUESS Spring/Summer 2011 Lookbook

 

For Spring/Summer 2011 Guess has created a women's collection that has a young-hollywood appeal. Denim doesn't only take the form of jeans but is sprinkled throughout the line in vests, corsets, cropped jackets and ruffled halters. Mixed in with frilly dresses, cute shorts and floral prints there is a denim story here that goes beyond the typical five-pocket as it highlights how it can be incorporated into every aspect of our wardrobes.

There are still jeans in the mix with flares having almost equal air time with skinnies. Could this be a sign of things to come? The end of the skinny? We'll have to wait and see. In the meantime, they still make an appearance in dark indigos and abraded washes with a standout being a bright red color that is sure to turn heads.

An honorable mention should be given to the seventies-style romper with the ultra-wide flare leg. The corset top, high waist and throwback wash should be a trendsetter for this season.