Category Archives: Denim Insider

Aug 08 0 comments
Denim Insider, News

FIAT X DIESEL

The FIAT 500C by DIESEL. Photo via Motoring.com.

The FIAT 500C by DIESEL. Via Motoring.com.

Yep, you read it right.  Two Italian powerhouses, FIAT Group SpA and Diesel SpA have teamed up to produce a special edition 500C, souped up in denim upholstery (with yellow stitching), Diesel branded rims and a coat of paint reminiscent of stone washed jeans.  The car debuts in South Africa in late 2010 or early 2011.  The 500C will come in other paint and upholstery options, if denim doesn’t float your boat. Oh boo.  I bet you this cute little bugger of a car would be a hit here in the States.

Read the full story at MOTORING.COM.

– Kathy Ng Hassan





Jul 29 0 comments
DENIM, Denim Insider, Looks Under $100, News, SHOPPING, Street Style

Cry Me A River, William Rast Does Target!

justin-and-traceOn Dec. 19, an exclusive men’s and women’s collection from William Rast will launch at most Target stores and target.com and will be available through Jan. 22. William Rast has proven that a celebrity can be successful in the design world.  The brainchild collaboration of Justin Timberlake and his childhood friend, Trace Ayala, was introduced  in 2005 and has grown into a thriving business.

“Our guests have varied tastes and this collection provides the perfect mix of rocker attitude and laid-back appeal for men and women everywhere at affordable prices,” said Target spokeswoman Katie Heinze. Prices for the Target collection were not available, but William Rast jeans cost $165 to $229; leather jackets, $395 to $595, and fashion tops, $95 to $165. “The collection for Target was inspired by the essence of the William Rast brand — the iconography of biker culture and American denim heritage,” said William Rast chief executive officer Colin Dyne. (WWD).

Finally, a real premium denim collection available at Target for a fraction of the price!  I can’t wait to see how they fit!

–Nikki Cho Russo

Jul 21 0 comments
DENIM, Denim Insider, News, Special Events, Stylefinder

Capsule NY - Men’s Spring/Summer 2011 Collections

capsuleCapsule New York Men’s tradeshow, a well curated showcase of progressive apparel and accessories brands from the US, Europe and Asia, came to a close yesterday.  This marked Capsule’s seventh season in New York presenting Spring/Summer 2011 collections, and a move to a new venue - Center 548, once home to the DIA art foundation in the heart of the Chelsea gallery district.

31 oz denim jeans by Naked & Famous (Photo by Chiun-kai Shih)

32 oz denim jeans by Naked & Famous (Photo by Chiun-kai Shih)

Exciting designers that caught my eye were from CFDA-nominated Simon Spurr’s diffusion line, Spurr. The selvedge and non-selvedge jeans are high quality - minimalist styles and they come in two fits, pipe or classic - now one of my husband’s favorite jeans; Kitsuné, although denim is not their thing, it was their US debut with a fabulous collection; a new denim company debuting was Canton Overall, premium Japanese jeans, which are not your normal looking jeans, ultra high-cuffed bottoms revealing the selvedge stitching made for an interesting style (perhaps a little Junya Watanabe’ish); Naked & Famous, the Toronto based denim and apparel company had two great jeans, a cashmere blend and a linen blend that was super soft to the touch. For a good laugh, they had a pair of the heaviest denim jeans I have ever seen, a whopping 32 ounces! And added for honorable mention, was Gilbert & Lewis’s adorable boldly colored slim fitted plaid and gingham shirts with built in bow-ties!  A perfect top to pair with your favorite selvedge jeans.

The Cocoon installation (Photo by Chiun-kai Shih)

The Cocoon installation (Photo by Chiun-kai Shih)

When it came time for a break and a bite to eat, the rooftop lounge was a peaceful retreat of tables with Stark ghost chairs, an art installation created by conceptual architects Annie Kwon & EMEHT agency titled “The Cocoon”, foot tapping music, and a serene view of the city’s skyline that created an über cool relaxing fashion break.

–Nikki Cho Russo

Jun 18 0 comments
Denim Insider, Los Angeles, News

Denim News: Laker’s Sasha Vujacic Models for Rock & Republic

vujacic-models-for-rock-republicDang!  A 38″ inseamer.  You know there’ll be a bunch of much shorter dudes sporting it just because they can, and likely walking around with the pant legs looking like they’re melting into their sneakers.

– Kathy Ng Hassan


From Los Angeles Times:

Lakers guard Sasha Vujacic, whose two free throws helped pad the Los Angeles team’s lead over the Boston Celtics in the last minute of Game 7 of the NBA Finals on Thursday, was a fit model for Rock & Republic’s new SV18, named for Vujacic’s jersey number… Click here to read more.































Jun 17 1 comments
Denim Insider, News, Street Style, Stylefinder

Denim Goes Formalwear

paris-denim-show

The denim forecasts are in after the two-day Denim by Première Vision trade fair in Paris that ended on June 3rd. With strong influences from Celine, Seventies Biba and the continuing strength in vintage workwear for men, the popular trend will be all about formalwear.  Tailored, structured, and clean lines, heavily influenced by the runways of Celine, will be the style to look out for.  Designers are looking more towards trouser and chino style silhouettes.  Popular for the ladies will be low-crotch carrot styles and for men vintage workwear.

New fabric blends such as rayon blends with a velvety touch, Tencel, micro modal, Cupro and the push for more stretchy blends for men’s denim are the future for premium denim.

Black denim, mirrored surfaces, denim shirting and draped denim among other key trends. A fluid drop-crotch rayon version of the “jegging,” or denim legging, and the “jeather” a new denim concept by Turkey’s Isko combining a jean form with a leather-like finish.

You want novelty denim?  Included in the mix was a warp and weft indigo-dyed jean by Japan’s Kurabo, an “emotional jean” that changes color with heat by Denim Valley from Royo (that could get a little tricky) and an eco-friendly “wine jean” range by South Korea’s Eco Yaa involving denim dipped in wine tannin, grape callus extract and sprout compounds. The properties in wine are supposed to help prevent chafing.

All very exciting!

Click here to read an in-depth article by WWD

–Nikki Cho Russo

Jun 10 0 comments
DENIM, Denim Insider, News, SHOPPING, Street Style, Stylefinder

Summer Denim Sneaker Must-Haves!

Sneaker-heads, sneaker-pimps, and denimphiles unite!  When two of your favorite fashion staples collide it’s sheer fireworks!  There’s a lot of amazing kick-ass-kicks on the market this season!

lanvin-limited-editionLanvin x Acne Spring/Summer 2010 Medium High Trainer

One of the best couture fashion and denim collaborations ever, Lanvin x Acne, continue to wow us with their fantastic denim collections.  The Lanvin x Acne Spring/Summer 2010 Medium High Trainer comes with a denim upper with light piping, unlike last season’s dark piping.  Shown here with the silk navy with red zigzag Medium High Trainers.

SHOP LANVIN

tretorn-x-cdg

Tretorn x Comme des Garcons Shirt Spring 2010 Canvas Sneaker

Swedish label Tretorn and cult Japanese label Commes des Garcons has collaborated on a low-profile canvas sneaker.  The Tretorn x Commes des Garcons navy canvas low top sneaker with a green foxing band and white sole are simplicity done to perfection.  An effortless style in a classic silhouette, perfect for a sunny summer day.

SHOP TRETORN X COMME DES GARCONS @ ODIN

supreme-x-vans-era-sk8-hi-mid-bleached-denim-pack

Vans x Supreme Pack

From the masterminds of New York skate and streetwear, Supreme, have come out with another great collaboration with Vans.  This new Vans x Supreme pack includes the Era lowtop and rarely seen Sk8-Hi Mid.  There are two pairs of Eras, one with a white/blue mix and another in grey canvas, while the Sk8-Hi Mids go with the bleached look on the side panels with grey suede on the forefoot.

SHOP VANS X SUPREME

visvims-skagway-sneakersVisVim Skagway Hi-tops

Clearly inspired by Converse Chuck Taylors, the Skagway Hi-Tops from Japanese design house visvim’s Summer 2010 collection are made entirely of denim, not canvas.  Gorgeous!

SHOP VISVIM

–Nikki Cho Russo

May 18 0 comments
DENIM, Denim Insider, News, Street Style, Stylefinder

Paige Premium Denim Does Leather

Paige Premium Denim

Paige Premium Denim isn’t just about denim anymore.  As many other denim brands such as Acne and True Religion have done, has expanded into leather sportswear.  In addition, Paige is in collaborations to produce shoes and bags.

Founded by Paige Adams-Geller, a former fit model, Paige Premium Denim has a huge following often seen on celebrities such as Penelope Cruz, Nicole Ritchie, and Gisele Bundchen, to name a few.

Paige Denim 2Paige Denim3Paige Denim 4

(Photo credits: Penelope Cruz - Stefanie Keenan/WireImage, Nicole Ritchie - Ahmad Elatab-SaleemElatab/Splash, Gisele Bundchen - Carlos Vila/David Krieger/Bauer-Griffin)

“One of the things that has been growing in the Paige brand is nondenim categories, like ponte and twill,” Adams-Geller explained, adding nondenim now accounts for 20 percent of the business.

“Leather has always been a passion of mine,” she said. “I love shoes, bags, purses, the beauty of it. There is so much versatility and texture and color and weights. Leather is probably the most fascinating material to work with other than denim because there are so many things you can do with it.”

“One of my favorite uniforms has always been a leather jacket with a pair of jeans,” Adams-Geller said. “You can’t go wrong.” (WWD)

We certainly agree with Adams-Geller, there is nothing more bad-ass and timeless than great fitting jeans paired with a rockin’ leather jacket.  You definitely can’t go wrong.

So, look out for the leather goods, Paige will begin shipping five styles of lambskin jackets and a pegged pant in July. They wholesale from $200 to $325.

Click here to read the full WWD article.


–Nikki Cho Russo

May 17 0 comments
DENIM, Denim Insider, News, SHOPPING, Street Style, Stylefinder

Denim Lust: M Missoni

jean3jean2jeans

Missoni, the high-end Italian fashion brand, has been injecting young and fresh ideas year-after-year with fantastic collaborations (Converse Chuck Taylors and Missoni Artek Chair) and now the launch of their less-expensive line, M Missoni.

75TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARTEKAll Star Missoni:Converse

For M Missoni’s debut S/S 2010 collection, what you will find are eye-popping, candy-colored confections with a fun, sweet and edgy vibe.  And, thrown into the mix are denim pieces that every girl will want in her closet.  This short denim jumpsuit has my name written all over it!

Denim Jumpsuit

SHOP M MISSONI

–Nikki Cho Russo


May 13 0 comments
DENIM, Denim Insider, SHOPPING, Street Style, Stylefinder

How Sweet It Is…Sugar Cane & Co. Denim

logoSugar Cane & Co. is the original eco-friendly denim company to produce denim made of, well, sugar cane, of course. For many years, this 30 year old Japanese brand guarded this secret of using natural sugar cane fibers, but now with the growing global popularity of Sugar Cane & Co., it is a secret no more.

With the deepest love and passion for the origins of denim, Sugar Cane & Co. have painstakingly researched the heritage of denim from the 1900’s from yarn, dye, weave and construction to components and managed to reproduce the weaving technique by locating old power looms, restoring and updating them for present day form.

Sugar Cane JeansDenim Jacket

Sugar Cane denim made by traditional Japanese dyeing techniques, by hand and not by machine, has three models. The first model ‘Sugar Cane Awa’ is made of sugar cane denim dyed by Awa indigo. Awa used to be one of the popular places producing indigo, located in the western part of Japan. The second model ‘Sugar Cane Okinawa’ is made of sugar cane fibre and indigo produced in the region of Okinawa, Japan. The third model ‘Sugar Cane Hawaii’ is made from sugar cane and indigo imported from Hawaii.

The trend that is on fire right now and for the A/W 2010-11 seasons is the original work wear look. The phoenix has risen with looks from the depression era of the 1930s through the dapper 1950s. Vintage work wear selvedge denim in dark washes, cuffed and worn with well crafted brogues, classic shirts and rugged jackets are the gentlmen’s new denim uniform.  Always paying careful attention to details, dandy them up with a modern bow-tie or a fitted blazer.

SUGAR CANE & CO @ TOGGED

–Nikki Cho Russo

Apr 30 0 comments
DENIM, Denim Diva, Denim Insider, Tips and Tricks

Raw Selvedge Denim - To Wash or Not To Wash?

Today, one of our readers, Amman, wanted some guidance on Raw Selvedge Denim. Owning a new pair of Spurr Raw Selvedge Denim Jeans (lucky guy and btw, you’ve got great taste my friend) the two fold question was: 1) to wash or not to wash 2) since it’s a pair of Raw Selvedge Denim jeans that need hemming, should he wait until after he washes them to get them hemmed?

Most people who are raw denim enthusiasts want the maximum “bespoking” to happen naturally, so it’s kind of a zen mentality of not washing their raw denim for over 6 months to get the maximum effect.  I happen to believe that it’s not a number that you can follow because each person has their own lifestyle and amount of activity that they do in jeans. If you wear them every day and you’re moving around a lot then I think you can wash them sooner than the 6 month mark, if you sit a lot then I would wait the 6 months and hold out if you want the best effect.  The whole philosophy and aim of owning raw denim is to get them to conform, fade, acquire marks and creases specifically to your body, forming the perfect fitting and comfortable jeans.

If you are a little anxious to wash your jeans, but they aren’t dirty, but smell a little I would pull them inside out and put them in the freezer overnight and then either let them air out the next day or you can put them in a plastic bag along with a box of Arm & Hammer refrigerator baking soda to soak up the smell or a strip of Arm & Hammer Essentials fabric softener.

Arm & Hammer Fridge N' Freezer Odor AbsorberArm & Hammer Essentials Fabric Softener SheetsWoolite Dark Laundry Fabric Wash

If you got them dirty and want them clean, use a splash of Dark Woolite in some warm water, with your jeans inside out, dunk them in the water moving them around to release any dirt without making too much movement that will add creases or marks from fading and then hang dry.  This process will minimize the amount of fading and creases.  Just keep in mind that there will be some shrinkage.

In Amman’s case, the jeans are grey so depending on the kind of grey, light - use regular Woolite, dark - use Dark Woolite. Hemming should definitely wait for after his first wash and as I told him, he’s in luck, cuffing is the trend with the whole heritage work-wear theme that is so hot for men right now.

Speaking of jeans, check out Spurr Denim by Simon Spurr.  A very hot young designer with a great men’s collection.

Spurr Raw Indigo Pipe Jeans2Spurr Raw Indigo Pipe Jeans

Spurr Raw Indigo Pipe Jeans, $340.00

New for Spring 2010, this Indigo 5 pocket denim has plain back pockets and contrast trim and are the perfect addition to your wardrobe.

SPURR @ BLUE AND CREAM

–Nikki Cho Russo