Is Pantone's Color of the Year Reeeeally That Important?

 

 

When Pantone introduced Emerald as their Color of the Year for 2013 I was ecstatic. I love this particular shade of green and there just isn't enough apparel made using that color. And if you do find it, it's something undesirable left on the clearance rack. I thought to myself back then, finally we will see designers adding it more prominently to their color palettes and more stores stocking it. I imagined glorious blouses, emerald suede pumps and jewel-toned skinny jeans. Well, here we are, at the tail end of 2013 and I'd still have to search to find anything in emerald green. Specifically Pantone color 17-5641.

So here we are again. 2014 is a breath away and Pantone has announced the latest Color of the Year 'Radiant Orchid' with the usual fanfare and whimsical descriptors.

"Radiant Orchid blooms with confidence and magical warmth that intrigues the eye and sparks the imagination"

Umm. Okay. Sure. Since the announcement almost two weeks ago, it's been covered in some way, even on legitimate news outlets like CNN. In their defense, it was under a heading titled "Apparently This Matters". I didn't read it, but I thought the title was apt, because, I'm not sure if it does. 

READ MORE....

 

Levis Red Archive Could Be the Most Expensive Jeans This Year

 

(L) BLUE PRINT DENIM JACKET | (R) COMFORT RIGID DENIM JEANS 

 

 

Levi's has reintroduced the first Levi's RED collection in seven years and it does not come cheap. The most expensive item is the 'Low Crotch Twisted Jeans' (below) which run a cool $1458 and the least expensive are the t-shirts at $279. 

...pause for quick up and down scroll and scrutiny of all Levi's RED Archive items here...

...additional pause for indignant reaction here...

In defense of the price, Levi's RED is a premium concept  dedicated to reinventing the iconic Levi's 5-pocket style with new forms and aesthetics. Since it's debut in 1999, there have only been seven collections, Levi's RED Archive being the eighth. The pieces in the current iteration were selected from the first ever Levi's RED release called Twisted RED, a collection that marked the turning point in reinventing the 5-pocket.  

Essentially, this collection is meant to be viewed as a celebration of art and design in denim and will appeal to those who consider themselves denimheads or denim connoisseurs. They for sure will appreciate the craftsmanship of the product and the heritage aspect. So if you're one of those, these jeans can be purchased at online boutique LN-CC.

If you haven't already, see more pics of the Levi's RED Archive collection after the jump...

....THE JUMP

We Came, We Saw, We Took Lot's of Pictures of People at Ralph Lauren's Denim & Supply Event

 

Ralph Lauren's edgy streetstyle brand Denim & Supply got an edgy streetstyle makeover on the outside of their Greenwich Village store. And of course, as with any new launch, collaboration, etc, it must be celebrated with wine, hors d' oeuvres and a bunch of us fashion folk getting together to celebrate. *sigh* I love fashion. 

The 'Art Wall' on the store's facade was designed by Hellbent, a Brooklyn-based artist known for his public murals distinguished by their bright colors and layered, 3-Dimensional aesthetic. Inside, smaller pieces by the artist were on display and contrasted brightly with the sea of denim that lined the shop and clothed the attendees. I don't use the word 'sea' lightly either. Almost everyone in attendance was clearly a fan of the brand as their attire mimicked almost perfectly the well-worn, heritage look of the brand. Some even seemed to gravitate toward display areas that matched their look. I'm sure it was subconsciously done, but I'm so glad they did it!

I couldn't resist snapping away at everyone --getting more than one confused look and at least one angry stare. It was worth it. Especially when I began formatting the pics by using the denim-clad attendees as mood for my shop pictures. 

Scroll below and take a look at my creation. You like?

....THE JUMP

G-Star RAW's New York Fashion Week Night Was A RAW Thriller

 

 

When you get to the 0:35 second mark in this video, you'll get a quick glimpse of me snapping pictures with my iPhone of GStar RAW's New York Fashion Week Night. I had every intention of posting those very pictures today. But then, of course, I saw this video, almost spit out my Red Bull (I hate coffee) after seeing myself and then decided the video was much better. Especially since I missed the performance by Kasabian. Bummer. 

Instead of the mega runway show that G-Star usually puts on during Fashion Week, they opted instead to have a curated exhibition at The Highline Hotel. Other than the lack of A/C, it was the perfect venue for the presentation that was put together. As attendees walked through the long courtyard, a spotlight projecting the words "RAW" in an eerie blue glow above the entrance made me feel as if I were walking into a chiller thriller. We walked up stairs, down pathways and through doors with original works by G-Star RAW such as denim covered kayaks and "exploding" jeans leading the way. The winding, ever changing path, as well as the overall atmosphere spawned conflicting emotions of forboding, curiosity and excitement. Whoever put this idea together truly deserves a round of applause for the Hitchcockian suspense. 

The main hall was lined with curated pieces as if we were in the Denim Museum of G-Star RAW. Lamps were covered with denim horse "armor". Miners masks complete with vintage hard hats were stacked on a shelf. A watercraft that I can only describe as a hybrid between a submarine and a kayak was constructed with a denim cover. And a statue with a denim mask over it's face like the pope incognito loomed over the crowd as if saying "come my children, all are welcome, all are welcome". And in between all of that was the collection. 

Centerstage were men's and women's jeans stiffened and posed for the presentation on a catwalk of light. However, it was the raw denim and carrot leg silhouettes we've come to expect from the brand. The real star was the introduction of G-Star's new eyewear collection which launches in January. I happily tried on a few pairs and took a few selfies in them (see DenimHunt on Instagram). The glasses come in both sunnies and prescription ready clear, with special features being raised screws and flat lenses for an industrial aesthetic. 

Overall, it was a great fashion week concept. Especially for those of us beginning to tire of the fashion week chaos as described in RackedNY and the NY Times.

Aww hell, I took pictures. Why let them go to waste. See below for pics from the event.  

 

Levi's Archivist Lynn Downey Took Us On An Historic Journey Through Jeans

 

Last night, Lynn Downey, Levi's Historian and Archivist, held a short seminar in Macy's Herald Square to talk about the evolution of the blue jean. Initially, I was just excited to see the world's oldest pair of jeans with my own eyes as I knew they'd be part of the seminar. I'd seen photos of it before, but being able to look up close at a pair of jeans that would fit perfectly in any of the exhibits in the Smithsonian was a treat I couldn't pass up. However, as Lynn began to speak, I found myself taking notes as if I was back in college as her knowledge of denim is extensive. It's a rare day that I get to speak to someone who knows denim better than me. Just being honest. And in this case, Lynn was practically professorial when speaking about the history of denim and I was riveted, no pun intended.

She explained that Levi's jeans ultimately came to fruition when tailor Jacob Davis asked Levi's Strauss to partner with him in making riveted denim pants for workers who were complaining about the frequent ripping in their work clothes. Imagine such an iconic detail that has lasted for over a century coming from such a simple request. Extraordinary doesn't begin to describe it. I could go on and on with everything I learned in such a short period of time, but instead I'll break it down to a few facts: 

• The oldest pair of jeans date back to 1879 and were found in an old mine by a woman who patched them up and wore them for several years before selling them to the company for $25. These jeans are currently worth $150,000. 
• There was a rivet included on the crotch of the original 501s, but cowboys complained of heat from their campfires, shall we say, making it a tad too uncomfortable. Therefore, after the the removal of rivets during the WWII war effort and their subsequent return after, the crotch rivet was left out. 
• Jeans were originally called "Overalls" because you could wear them over all your clothing. 
• Before there were belt loops, there were suspender buttons and a back cinch.
• The cowboy era of the 1930's was the last time jeans were associated with workwear. 
• Soldier's returning home from WWII adopted a uniform of leather jackets and Levi's jeans and formed motorcycle clubs. This was the first of many decades of jeans being associated with rebellion. 

Click below to see more pictures of jeans straight from the Levi's archives and keep checking back as I'll have more from my experience with the amazing Lynn Downey. 

 

G-Star RAW and Vs. Magazine Produce "Devouring Art" Film With Rie Rasmussen

Vs. Magazine and G-Star RAW have produced a film called "Devouring Art" which stars model/artist/filmmaker Rie Rasmussen who also happens to be the director. The film is described as the following;

this film tells the story of a young, ambitious painter hungry for artistic inspiration. So hungry that she breaks into a gallery to ‘devour’ the art exhibited. Enveloped by moonlight, she’s enraptured by the sculptures, modern paintings and raw art that surround her. Then things get dreamy…Boundaries blur; the real and unreal are indistinguishable. Encircled by art incarnate,consumption begins...

Right now all we get is a teaser, but it's kind of intriguing. All you can see in the short clip is her search for inspiration, but the gritty/sexy score by Marie de Villepin of PINKMIST had me studying it for sexual undertones I'm not ashamed to say. There weren't any....that is until the almost NSFW ending.

The full film will be released on March 20th, so I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens.

Indigo Dyeing Inspiration

Source: Street Etiquette

The Selvedge Yard x Prps denim collaboration, Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Blackbird - A Celebration of Denim and Machine

Americana connoisseurs The Selvedge Yard and Prps drew from their mutually shared love of motorcycles for this special collaboration, which the denim duo debuted on Friday night in Williamsburg. Specifically inspired by the 1953 Triumph Blackbird, the limited-edition jean pays homage to archival biker denim. In addition to the modified back buckle belt, the 14oz. Japanese selvedge piece features patch pocket stitching designed with the original Blackbird logo in mind. Further evoking qualities of this famed bike, rivets, grommets and shanks on the button fly are black enamel-coated.

Triumph, the UK motorcycle brand that dominated the American market in the 50s, participated in the evening, exhibiting its bikes. The brand is dedicated to attracting new biking fans and a fresh audience. Many attending motorcycle enthusiasts pulled right up to the garage in their restored Blackbird bikes. The event also featured the collaboration's campaign, shot by well-known lifestyle photographer Scott Toepfer.

         

Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren at New York’s Brooklyn Bowl

Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren and New York’s famed Brooklyn Bowl have partnered for a special 10-show concert series. The first show will be indie post-punk band We Are Scientist on Wednesday, April 25. Tickets are free in advance and $5 at the door. Doors open at 6pm.

Denim & Supply, the new collection by Ralph Lauren, offers a bohemian and free-spirited spin on authentic American heritage. Launched in 2011, the label captures the weathered, earthy spirit of vintage pieces.

DENAME for Denim Art and Design

 

 

 

Okay, so I have come across the most amazing website ever. Seriously, I'm like so excited.

It's called DENAME and is an online gallery that provides a forum for denim in art and design. It's based in The Netherlands, so of course everything is written in Dutch, but you don't need to be able to read everything to appreciate the work some of these artists have done.

From what I can guess, the categories range from accessories to design. Items for sale include dapper looking ties and man bags, denim upholstered chairs and couches, complete with modern washes, and items of pure artistic value like sculptures and compositions. Love it!

Oh yeah and there are jeans for sale too.