denim 101

Monsieur-T Design Agency

Published by Jonathan March 11th, 2010 in denim 101. 1 Comment

Ever wonder the thought process behind the making of a pair of jeans? Monsieur-T, the design company behind the production of Nadel&Pen and more, has given their insight on how those brands are produced.

Mosieur-T is a South West France based design company that work for brands and trend-offices in the United Kingdom, California, and of course France. Tilmann Wröbel and Lucie Germser, the heads behind the design company, along with their team has helped many brands inject their DNA and get their products out to the public. With a background in both streetwear and couture from brands like Etnies to Christian Dior; Tilmann Wröbel has fused the aesthetic of both to help many brands push the envelope when it comes to design. Whether it is giving their product a vintage feel or having well tailored, couture denim.

With the “team’s” education in fabrics, patterns, and wash along having a love of detail, Monsieur-T chooses the same approach as “the good old shoemaker from back in the day” rather than the “computer file + pantone” mass-market to produce the most earnest products.

With hopes to prevent what they call “fast-fashion” consumerism, which means people usually buy only to dispose without thought, leading to textile pollution. An explanation is written inside each pair of their Nadel&Pen denim to explain why and how they should be cared for. Hoping that in the future many brands will choose similar views.

Elle Magazine’s Guide for the Denim Skirt

Published by Jonathan March 3rd, 2010 in denim 101 and denim trends. 1 Comment

The Denim Skirt has made its comeback! Models were seen walking down the runways in the iconic piece at the shows of Stella McCartney, Louis Vuitton and more. Here are some tips on how to accessorize the look by ELLE Magazine. When you choose a shoe, avoid ones with straps that hit at the ankle bone. Proportion is key with everything, and this look is no different. As the weather warms up, why not pull out the denim skirt from the back of your closet? Check out some styles below. Click here to read ELLE’s Guide.

Click here to get this Level 99 Denim Skirt.

Click Here to get this look

Click here to get this MINKPINK skirt at RevolveClothing

Click here to get this Citizens of Humanity skirt at Revolve

Information Courtesy of ELLEMagazine.com and Level99

Elle Magazine’s Guide to Double Denim

Published by Jonathan January 14th, 2010 in denim 101 and denim trends. 0 Comments

The Spring/Summer 2010 runways, it was a for sure that double denim will still be big this coming spring. The Chloe and D&G shows all had this trend walking on their catwalks. You’re asking, so how would you wear this trend on the streets? You thought it was just a look for the cowboys? Wrong. The editors at Elle Magazine have put together a “How To” on how to pull this look off. The garments should always be two different shades, like a medium washed top with a darker bottom. Also, too much denim on one body can be… let’s just say too much denim. So, break up the denim with a different material such as leather. The key to wearing this trend is to keep it simple. You don’t need to add much to the look, avoid any of the acid or tie dye washes.

Check out their article for yourself at ELLE.com .

You can also check out our “How To” here at DenimBlog.com.

Information Courtesy of ELLEMagazine.com

Cheryl Brooks Denim Handbags

Published by Lorna, Editor January 13th, 2010 in New Styles and denim 101. 0 Comments

I love these new bags! Cheryl Brooks is an up and coming designer and I think some of her denim bags are really pretty. They remind me of when I was younger, I chopped off the legs of an old pair of jeans, sewn them up and voila, I had a bag. I then decorated it. I included some photos of some of her favourite bags and some info on Cheryl herself. The bags range from $25 to $160.

Cheryl Brooks is constantly on the rise as a self-taught designer of things of beauty. Cheryl established Nilaja in 2003, while being a stay-at-home mother. Cheryl began drawing art on jeans and the rest is history. The multi-talented illustrator started selling her greeting cards in galleries and boutiques in the Cleveland, Ohio area where she grew up.

Cheryl has designed greeting cards for celebrities such as Beyonce, Common, Macy Gray, Kanye West and Erykah Badu and Angela Bassett. Cheryl started her business with the use of recycled goods, requesting that her friends and family members donate jeans, old jewelry and any other what-nots that she could stumble upon in thrift stores, garage sales and online.

Cheryl made a name for herself by taking embellishments such as crystals, rhinestones, glass beads, feathers, shells and turning out unique, eye-appealing accessories. Growing her way through the world of accessories, next on her list has been handbags. Celebrity clients such as Venus and Serena Williams, actress/comedienne Kym Whitley, Cassandra McCree-Walker of HBO’s “The Wire,” stuntwoman/actress April Weeden-Washington and neo-soul background singer Stacey Richardson-Crawford are sporting Cheryl’s handbags. Cheryl’s first collection was created from recycled denim.

Cheryl has been awarded a design patent for her flagship purse that she decided to take to the marketplace. This confident step was taken to ensure that the fashion industry would know that she believed in her
ideas. Cheryl has also designed hair accessories, earrings, and bracelets. Cheryl was taught to sew, paint, draw, crochet, cross stitch, make jewelry, needlepoint, calligraphy, and knit by her mother and grandmother during her childhood. Cheryl’s first original design was her prom dress, which are now her company colors. She also made cheerleading uniforms for her squad in high school at sixteen. What’s so amazing about this talented female is that she received her
Master’s of Business Administration in Marketing from Case Western Reserve University. She didn’t even aspire to be in the fashion business… but destiny drew her to it.

Cheryl has been educated to be a sound businesswoman and gifted to create. Cheryl has been featured in Cleveland Magazine, The Cleveland Plain Dealer, The Talk of Cleveland Magazine, Houston Sun Newspaper Online, Today’s Black Woman Magazine, and interviewed by Rolling Out Magazine. She has been featured on WKYC (NBC) Channel 3’s,”Good Company and”That’s Life with Robyn Swoboda” on Cleveland’s Fox 8. Cheryl is also a philantropist, donating purses to causes such as The Stuntwomen’s Association of Los Angeles, The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center and just recently, The Bay Area Community festival.

Cheryl has lended her talents to art auctions such as The St. Clair/Superior Development Corporation and The City of Cleveland Kennel. Working with the worldwide acclaimed, National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship, Cheryl taught students at the Cleveland School of Arts how to become entrepreneurs.

You can view the rest of her collection here.

My True Fit Review

Published by Liznie December 31st, 2009 in denim 101 and denim trends. 0 Comments

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www.mytruefit.com has a system that if you input your measurements and body type they will suggest jeans for you. I tried this out to see what brands they could come up with for me and compare them to the ones I have actually tried. They had a decent selection of jeans for me, but the top brands that were suggested I have not tried before. They did suggest 7 For All Mankind A pockets before Dojos and so far for me Dojos have always fit me better than A pockets, so a thumbs down on that account. They do have a nice section of “as seen on” and also a great guide on “how to find jeans that fit”. They have information on how to care for your jeans, how to determine the proper length of your jeans and other great tidbits about jeans. Overall I think the website was a great idea, but real life shopping is always the winner and the most gratifying for finding your true fit of jeans.

How to Find and Wear the Perfect Jeans for Men

Published by Jonathan December 30th, 2009 in denim 101 and denimblog. 4 Comments

When it comes to jeans it’s hard for men to find the perfect one. Whether it’s the wash, fit, length or even the right fit with the right length. Here are some helpful tips for the perfect boot cut, skinny, and straight leg jeans:

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1. Boot cut:
These jeans really elongate the legs. So wearing them high will make your body look disproportionate (you should not wear your jeans high up at the waist or too low below your butt; jeans should just hang on the hips, that is for all the fits). This fit should not suffocate the thigh because they do flare out, they should be loose but still fitted. The length should be long enough to cover the shoe but not drag on the floor and there should be a scrunch. If not, it will make you look like a dork.

Brands for the best bootcut fit:
Splurge: Levi’s Capital E, Diesel, PRPS, True Religion, and J Brand.
Budget friendly: Levi’s, Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, and GAP.
Fans of this fit: Jonathan Rhys Meyer, Justin Timberlake, Cam Gigandet and David Beckham.

2. Skinny:
Skinny jeans should not be too tight nor too loose, hence the name. Unlike the other fits, these do not always need a scrunch. But they should cover your ankles. Also, you should not get jeans so tight that you are bulging out of the top your jeans and unable to move in them. If you are going to resort to women’s jeans, keep the pockets simple, such as J Brand or 7 For All Mankind. Keep the embellishments to the women (if they even prefer it). Also, skinny jeans are not for everyone. You should have a lean stature to pull these off.

Brands for the fit:
Splurge: Nudie, Ksubi, April 77, Dior Homme, and Diesel.
Budget friendly: BDG, Cheap Monday, Bullhead, and Levi’s.
Fans of this fit: Zac Efron, Josh Hartnett, Zachary Quinto, and Shia Labeouf.

3. Straight leg:
The most relaxed of the three. These are also the cut I find to be the trickiest fit. They can be straight on some but skinny on others. They tend to box out the body more when worn loose, but flatter when worn fitted. When searching for straight legs get the prefect length. The scrunch will give somewhat of an illusion of not being so straight. Make sure they are not too tight in the butt and thighs area, they need to be a perfect fit to achieve the perfect straight leg fit.

Brands for fit:
Splurge: APC, 7 For All Mankind, Joe’s Jeans, PPD, Diesel and AG Jeans.
Budget friendly: Bullhead, BDG, Cheap Monday, and GAP.
Fans of this fit: Taylor Lautner and Hayden Christensen.

So when looking for the best jeans: make sure it fits on the hips but loose enough to just hang. The length should never be too short. It is better to get it too long and get them tailored, than walk around with visible socks. Simple is the key when it comes to jeans and that goes for everyone. Also, don’t follow trends. Just because someone is able to pull off a fit, doesn’t always mean you’ll look good in that fit too. Lastly, great jeans are everywhere, you don’t need to splurge for the perfect pair. When your jeans fit, you will always feel good about yourself.

TIP: For those of you men that are wanting to be ahead of the trends. Look at the women for tips. Trends for men always follow women (look at skinny jeans).

Click Here for the women’s guide to jeans.

One Mom’s Guide to Maternity Denim

Published by Liznie December 23rd, 2009 in denim 101 and denim trends. 0 Comments

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There are so many great choices for Maternity Denim now it can get downright confusing! We are going to go through each one and give you some choices to consider. But first things first, I found some great tips right from Paige Premium Denim for you to read!

Paige’s Top Five Tips For Buying Maternity Jeans

Consider your style needs. First, decide if you want something comfy to wear on a daily basis or something hot and sexy to wear out. If you want an everyday jean, go for a pair that’s lighter-weight and stretches more. If you want a sexy jean for nighttime, look for a skinny style or a legging or jegging (denim leggings) in a thicker or heavier fabric that really holds you in — you’ll be one sexy mama!

Also think about the kind of tops you like to wear. If you’re into long tunics, jeans with a skinnier leg — like our brand new Willow style ($185) — are your best bet. Fitted tops look best with boot-cut or flare leg jeans, otherwise you’ll look big all over. Dressing — even with a bump — is still all about proportions.

Pick the right size. With denim, a lot of women tend to think, “Oh I’m pregnant, so if I’m a 28 in my normal jeans I’ll need to get a 29 or 30 in maternity.” But our size 28 maternity jeans fit the way they should fit — you don’t need to go up a size! Although for some women that last trimester is tricky — sometimes you might have to go with a larger size those last couple of months.

All maternity jeans aren’t created equal. Some jeans have panels and some don’t — it really depends on your preference. I have one style called the Westbourne that’s amazing. It’s low-rise and has elastic pulls on the inside. You can loosen the jean up as you go through pregnancy. It’s the same idea as little kids’ jeans, where you can pull the waistline in then expand as they grow. What’s great about this style is that after you have your baby, as you lose weight you can tighten them back up again until you’re ready to wear your regular jeans.

Do the sit-down test! Try it out in the dressing room. It’s a great way to see if the overall fit or panel work for you. Sometimes when you’re seated, the spot where the belly panel meets the jean can be uncomfortable, digging into a pressure point. And it’ll only get worse as you get bigger. The key is to find jeans — with or without the panel — that have a waistband that hits below your belly.

Shoes matter. More than likely, you’ll be mostly wearing comfy flats during your pregnancy, but you might want a pair of jeans you can wear with your heels too! So get two pairs — one that’s hemmed for flats and one that’s hemmed for heels.

Now that you have your tips down, let’s go through all the options:

1) Bella Band-Wear any pre-pregnancy favorite as long as your bum and hips allow! These are a basic band that is usually doubled over and placed over the waist band of unzipped/unbuttoned jeans to hold them up and extend the waistband. The band can be doubled over to fit under the belly or made to a single layer to cover the belly as well. The pro is that you don’t need to buy all new jeans, the con is that most women’s pregnant bodies grow not just in the waist but also the bum and hips so that even with the largest waist band normal jeans can no longer be worn. So these are great to start with but at the end of the pregnancy most women will need more room.

2) Belly Belt-Much like the bella band, they will allow you to wear your pre-pregnancy jeans and extend the waistband. This does not have the versitility of being able to cover the entire belly though. The pro over the bella band is that the belt should hold your jeans up better, though you will have the same issues with the belt as you will with the band.

3) Jeans with a band built in-These are much like the Bella Band but the band is built into the jeans, it is a lower rise band(about 4″ in width) and the band is not meant to go over your tummy. I thought these were great for the first 2/3 of the pregnancy, but as I got larger they became uncomfortable and if my shirt wasn’t long enough you would be able to see the underside of my belly. The pro is that these really are great for the first 2/3 of the pregnancy!

4) Jeans with a hidden adjustable waist-Now don’t they tell you to imitate some child things in your adult life? These are just like kid jeans with the adjustable waist. They have the same con as the jeans with the built in band, being that they are great for the first 2/3 of pregnancy but you can grow out of them for the last 1/3. The advantage they have over the jeans with a built in band is that after you have your baby and you are still trying to work off that baby weight you can wear these jeans discretely.

5) Jeans with a full belly panel- a pea in the pod is making the “secret fit belly” panel that is a full panel to go all the way over the tummy. I have to admit I really like these! They have them on many of the premium denim brands we love too! They will be comfortable the whole way through the pregnancy.

I hope you enjoyed the guide and you find your perfect jeans!

Here are some quick links to designer maternity denim and a few on sale too!

Paige Maternity

Citizen’s of Humanity $69.99

R&R Ritchie $84.99

R&R Tyler $119.99

a pea in the pod

True Religion Maternity

Hudson Maternity

7 For All Mankind Maternity

AG Maternity

Denim keeps getting greener!

Published by Jennifer December 21st, 2009 in denim 101. 0 Comments

green-denim

Genencor, a biotechnology firm has created a new denim processing plant. PrimaGreen is a denim processing plant that is environmentally friendly. The processing plant is innovative due to the fact it uses naturally occurring enzymes to create certain effects, rather than bleach which can be harmful to the environment. Of the PrimaGreen series, the latest, PrimaGreen EcoLight 1, is a liquid biodegradable enzyme that can be used in the laundering process to attain a vintage look in denim. When used with other PrimaGreen products, that allow for low-temperature denim fading and abrasion, the company believes water and energy usage can be cut by 40 to 70%.

“It’s very obvious that [the textile industry] is one of the most polluting industries there is,” said Nico van Schoot, senior global marketing manager for Genencor’s textile business. The process of washing, bleaching and dyeing garments often requires a lot of water at high temperatures, meaning more energy usage. However, van Schoot said he’s seen brands and retailers over the past several years take more of an interest in how their goods are made.

While using more environmentally friendly products can be more costly, van Schoot emphasizes that it’s the overall cost, both on the environment and for the company, that denim companies are becoming more concerned with. This is certainly a step in a greener direction!

Article from WWD.com