Brand to Watch: IndiDenim

If you haven't heard of IndiDenim yet, you will, because they could quite possibly change the very way we purchase jeans. Anyone that shops for jeans knows that all of the fancy treatments, finishes and imported denim mean nothing without a good fit and according to Director of Marketing, Abigail Holtz, a whopping 79% of consumers can't find that perfect fit. That is until IndiDenim.

The Bay Area company was established in June 2008 and specializes in producing custom jeans using consumers own input. The process starts with their website where potential buyers are first asked to choose a specific silhouette like slim fit for women or classic fit for men. Next they are asked to choose from a thorough list of features such as leg style, finishing, rise, hemline, back pocket details and more. Then they are asked detailed questions regarding their body type which range from the expected, like inseam, thigh shape and waist size to the unexpected, like back measurement and bra size. While consumers enter their specifications a virtual model morphs according to their input allowing product visualization. 

The specs then go through proprietary fit algorithms that predict body measurements based on the questions. The custom pattern is then e-filed to the manufacturer who then creates the jeans using the highest quality fabrics and innovative treatments. 

There are other premium brands that offer customization services, but none quite like IndiDenim. Where most denim brands offering customization require several visits and charge prices that make it accessible to only a few diehards, IndiDenim's patented fit technology has streamlined the process making customization affordable and accessible for all. As a result, their jeans retail for $145 to $200 dependent on fabric and finishing, whereas with other companies, the price can run upwards of $500 or more. 

The young company has already implemented plans for expansion using this technology and offers a line of dress shirts under the label IndiTailored. According to Holtz, mass-customization is the future of apparel and IndiDenim wants to lead the way by eventually moving into a variety of apparel categories.

Visit their website to learn more and be sure to read their new denim blog for style tips and advice. 

 

 

French Connection's New Leah Denim Made With Knitted Cotton

Retailer French Connection is not usually known for their denim offerings, but they're dropping their hat in the ring in a majorly innovative way. This season they will introduce Leah Denim, a jean made from premium knitted cotton as opposed to the traditional woven twill. Because of the knitted technique, the fabric stretches 360 degrees for an ultra-flattering fit. The Leah Denim comes in an on trend skinny silhouette made to suit all body types. 

So far Gabrielle Union, Maria Menounos, Brenda Song and AnnaLynne McCord are fans. 

Diesel's Cotton Paper Denim Jean

  

Diesel, ever the innovator, won't just stop at Glow-in-the-Dark jeans. They have recently developed a new jean, and get this, it's made from a combination of denim fabric and (drumroll please)...paper. Wow! The Cotton Paper Denim jean is made of a natural, lightweight, resistant denim that's breathable and strong. The characteristics are achieved by using a warp of 100% organic cotton and a weft made of Japanese paper. The presence of the paper in the denim is key and after several stages of finishing a ripple effect is produced with a stiff, dry hand. The jeans will be available in the Fall in the slightly carrot shaped, Diesel 'Keever' fit. Each individual jean upon purchase will be presented in its own original dust bag.

Rag and Bone's Zipper Adjustable Bondage Jean

People can't stop talking about Rag & Bone's new zipper adjustable bondage pant. Well, not people, but a few respectable blogs. The houndstooth print skinnies have a total of seven zippers; five in the front and two on the back of each leg. The zippers on the back run almost the length of the leg and can be adjusted to make them tighter or looser where you want. These jeans probably wouldn't work unless you're skinny enough to zip the entire length (imagine having two zipper strips on each leg spaced far apart on too-tight jeans), but it's definitely a buzzworthy idea. It'll be interesting to see if other companies try to expand on this size-altering concept. 

DL1961 New Spring 09 Looks

DL1961 Premium Denim introduces new styles for Spring 2009, all which feature XFIT LYCRA®, giving the jeans 360 degree stretch and the perfect fit. Stay ahead of trends with the Roxy, a sexy flare, the ripped and torn Sally or keep it simple and sophisticated with the Lindsey.

Evisu Heritage Spring 09 Selvage Denim

Starting this Spring, one of Evisu's trademark collections 'Evisu Heritage' is launching 5 new styles that will stay true to the Evisu brand, but bring "their own unique set of characteristics..." The jeans will be classified by a number as opposed to the fabric codes that are normally used, with the characteristics described in detail on the label. Spring 09 will see these jeans made with red-cast denim, but Fall will feature green-cast denim. Visit the Evisu blog for more details. 

Zipholder

Okay, this is strictly for kicks, but there may be those of you that actually need this handy dandy little item. The item in question is the Zipholder.  You ever have those days when your jeans are extraordinarily tight and all the gymnastic wriggling that normally gets you in those skinnies just don't seem to work? This is usually due to laundry day shrinkage. It's never, ever because we gained a few pounds.  Well the Zipholder is designed to hold your zipper up, preventing the inevitable open fly that would be sure to cause embarrassment and all kinds of blows to your self-esteem. It works by looping through the zipper and attaching to the button. Voila...problem solved!

SOURCE

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.

The Okayama Project

Diesel announces their latest innovations for the Diesel Denim Gallery, which highlights their most artisinal designs. The Okayama Project incorporates denim woven, using ancient methods on shuttle looms. The fabric is woven on traditional shuttle looms using single continuous threads, a process that delivers tighter, heavier and more durable material. Since the 17th century, the town of Okayama has been a center for textile production. Today it plays home to over 100 small denim factories, all of which are owned by local families. A dedicated label reads: ‘Handcrafted in Okayama, Japan' and each pair comes wrapped in a rice bag.

What's new?

According to the Cotton Incorporated Lifestyle Monitor, the average woman owns eight pairs of jeans. Even with such a high ownership, three out of four female respondents say that they would likely buy another pair in the coming months.Innovation and newness are driving the women's denimwear market.
One designer accepting and meeting the challenge of offering cutting-edge denim is Alexander Wang. At his recent runway presentation during New York's fall fashion week he debuted garments treated with the STORM DENIM technology, which was introduced by Cotton Incorporated two years ago.
Choices and options remain important. While newness and innovation drive the market in denim at virtually every price point, most women embrace change in their own leisurely fashion. According to the Monitor, an outstanding 72% of female respondents say that they are not among the first to try a new style.

PHOTO