Where do your jeans go when they die? I’ve been known to show up at picnics and charity carwashes wearing my crudely “re-designed” denim cutoff shorts, complete with jagged, frayed hems. In retrospect, they looked pretty trashy.
That’s why I am glad Del Forte Denim’s Project Rejeaneration,
is giving your old, unwanted jeans a new, more sophisticated life. You send Del Forte your denim castoffs, and they are re-designed
and reborn as a new denim product.
Designer and founder Tierra Del Forte, who consciously started Del Forte Denim as an premium organic denim company, created Project Rejeaneration as a way to underscore her company’s mission of organic, socially responsible jeans for the eco-chic woman.
If you want your old denims “Rejeanerated, ” count on waiting at least six weeks. The new jeans are handmade and are “embellished with vintage fabrics and trims and
incorporate handcrafts collected from around the world,” as shown in
Del Forte’s currently featured Rejeaneration project, The Janelle Skirt.
From suppliers on up to sewing and washing, Del Forte’s jeans are produced with the environment and the worker in mind. And, it’s not just about the denims they sell. “We are committed to using green products and services whenever
possible. Our office is stocked with eco-friendly supplies, all our
printing is done on New Leaf paper using vegetable-based inks and we
found a carbon neutral company to host delforte.com.”
Dig deep in the back of your closet. Denim donors get 10% off their next
purchase of any Del Forte denim jeans.
– Kathy Ng Hassan
Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.
My adoration for Swedish brands continues with Cheap Monday, one of my favorites.
Named for the poorest day of the week (cause you’ve blown all your money on weekend good times), Cheap Monday jeans are the perfect skintight fit done dirt cheap. All I can say is that I have been a denim lover for a long long time and when I first tried on Cheap Monday jeans, I loved the way they were second skin snug, but very comfortable, a bit high-waisted to suck in all the excess stomach that sometimes would spill over (AKA “muffin top”), and looked great with both heels and sneakers. Cheap Mondays also look great under dresses and long tops as an alternative to leggings.
The best thing of all is the price tag! At a mere $65 a pop, in comparison to let’s say my Citizens of Humanity or J Brand jeans costing more than $200, who can beat that value? It’s a real bang for your buck. I bought two pairs right away, one in black and the other in cream that goes with everything.
Their current SS/08 line has a huge array of washes, colors, patterns and fits, both in skinny and baggier styles. I am digging the pin striped jeans and Dada overalls.
The AW 08 “Beastmaster” theme continues to show their growth as a major player in the fashion world. The campaign photos were shot in the woods outside Rimba, a small town outside of Stockholm known for inbreeding and religious fanatics. How, uh, eccentric. The collection is chock full of baggier fitting jeans (told ya so — listen to the Denim Diva and get ‘em early!). There’s also an extensive apparel line including vintage, children’s, accessories, and a dressier line called Kostym. Go to Cheap Monday’s site to see the full line. Buy Cheap Mondays at Urban Outfitters, Tobi, Revolve, and Karmaloop.
– Nikki Cho Russo
Related Stories:
A Swedish Denim Smorgasboard.
This is a trend that always seems to come back around with the inspiration of the Far East. Some of you may shake your heads and wish it would just go away, but the drop-crotch pants and variations of it is back and quickly catching momentum. There have been sprinkles of it in collections by Philip Lim, Kriss Van Assche, Stine Goya (with her gorgeous colorful confections) and a slew of other big name designers such as Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton, but get ready, because the trend for the Fall/Winter 08/09 season is looser fitting pants throughout many denim collections.
Take a look at some of the fashionable women that are featured on one of my favorite style websites, Garance Dor?©. European women, especially the French, really know how to be daring and chic with fashion forward sensibility.
Some of the hottest jeans that I have seen in this “Dhoti” inspired style are from DSquared, Miharayasuhiro, Diesel, Kriss Van Assche, Marith?© Fran?§ois Girbaud and Andrew Mackenzie. Genius designer Nicolas Ghesqui??re, does it again for Balenciaga and incorporates a subdued variation of this trend, along with gorgeous kick-ass boots for the fall. Other designers have made more subtle drops to the crotch.
Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.
So get ahead of the game and start searching for a great pair of drop-crotch jeans. With a fearless adventure for fashion, rock this look Euro style with your own American twist. Ignore the nay sayers! Hey, it’s not for everyone, which is the beauty of fashion! I have always been a fan!
Keep the look sleek with body hugging tops and blazers to capture a modern look avoiding to not over accentuate the voluminous shape. The shoe trend will be sleeker colorful boots with out all the complicated hardware, low-fi minimalist sneakers will compliment this look for a more refined finish, and gladiator punk-inspired open toes continue to be worn with or with out socks.
– Nikki Cho Russo
Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.
I made my way to Williamsburg, Brooklyn to hang out with shutterbug extraordinaire, Chiun Kai Shih of SMC Creative Inc. His subject? Zack Weber and his band. Zack is a laid back soul with a playful spirit who also happens to be tragically good looking, reminiscent of a cross between a young Johnny Depp and John Mayer.
Originally from St. Charles, MO, Zack set out at the ripe young age of 14 to pursue a solo career with the guidance of a local music producer. In the summer of 2004, Zack opened for Grammy award-winning acts Maroon 5 and John Mayer. He did four shows with Mayer on his "Heavier Things" tour.
Zack??™s melodic tunes and thought provoking lyrics showcase a refreshingly mature singer-songwriter and entertainer. With a profound influence of pop, rock and jazz it is hard to pinpoint exactly what genre he??™s playing in. Listening to his album, "Daydreams and Day Jobs,??? the tone and texture of his vocals, acoustic guitar and instrumentals evoke Ben Folds, Coldplay, John Mayer and even Michael Buble.
Now 19, Zack and his band mates, Theo, Chad, and Roy, reside in New York and continue to impact the New York music scene with live performances that leave audiences wanting more. This young artist??™s career is rising. . .definitely someone to watch.
Zack is rocking Buckler jeans, Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Specialty sneakers in black leather and a Y-3 top for a hip yet colorfully sophisticated rocker look. Roy has on his Zara jeans, but looks great in Bucklers for the photo shoot. Chad is wearing Replay jeans.
Check out Zack’s music on his site and on MySpace.
– Nikki Cho Russo
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Artist Spotlight: Jessica Fichot Travels in Jeans
Denim Insider: Buckler. Stylish blokes with attitude!
You may recognize Heidi Montag and her pimp, erm, fianc?© Spencer Pratt from The Hills. They were seen looking stylish and in love as they left LAX airport a couple days ago. Heidi was wearing a pair of True Religion Joeys in Bleached Bandit and on Spencer, Rock & Republic Taylors. This couple knows their jeans! All drama aside, they get an A+ for jean choice!
Get Heidi’s True Relgions here. Get Spencer’s Rock & Republics here.
–Jacqueline Rezak
The Sassy City Chicks folks are back in San Diego for Fashion Bash, and they are featuring True Religion Jeans, and tons of other designers like Marc Jacobs, Ella Moss and Diane von Furstenberg, to name a few. Man, could I use an onsite complimentary (VIPs only) spa service before I shop!
It’s only $3 to get in. . .click here to purchase 2 for 1 VIP tickets.
When it comes to affordable, cool jeans for kids, you can’t go wrong with H&M. A must have staple in every child’s closet.
Jasper is going for that “fresh whites” summer look (in this case
with a little peach juice). He’s wearing H&M white denim jeans
(visit your local H&M store), a Ruby Van “Love Hurts” wife beater
(I wore the “Love Hurts” Maternity tees when I was pregnant with
Jasper, go to Ruby Van online to see the line), his flashy Van’s lightning bolt kicks from YoyaMart and a driving cap by Janie & Jack. Just dee-lish!
Rock your body — and your booty — with William Rast, this Tuesday, June 24, via HauteLook, an online “club which organizes exclusive 12-48 hour online private sales of premium fashion and luxury lifestyle brands.”
Formed by Justin Timberlake and his childhood buddy, Trace Ayala, William Rast (“William” is the first name of Timberlake’s grandfather and “Rast” the last of Trace Ayala’s) has fast become the booty jean of choice to the stars. Due to their ingenious denim re-imagination, the jeans (check out the Savoys) are sewn with the yoke upside down creating a push-up effect on the targeted area. Celebrities seen wearing William Rast denim include Cameron Diaz, Jessica Simpson, and of course, Jessica Biel. Gee, do ya think JT has a thing for a girl that’s got back?
Thanks to the cool folks at HauteLook, you’ll enjoy continuous retail therapy with their perpetually rotating designers. Click here to sign up!
– Kathy Ng Hassan
Get Smart co-stars, Anne Hathaway and Steve Carell, were spotted walking through LAX. Together. Anne rocked a pair of J Brand Straight Leg Jeans. Love the bunnies on her sneakers. Not sure what Steve was wearing, but his jeans and olive jacket combo totally make The Office casual.
Pics from Garance Dor?©
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