JARDINE is a new brand by one of the co-founders of Rag & Bone, Nathan Bogle. Named after his great-grandfather, the collection came into fruition as a niche for the simpler pieces in life. There is no heavy branding to hinder from the designs.

For Fall 2013 you can expect to see oversized cozy knits, leather paneled jackets, skinny wool trousers and denim pieces. Just like his first venture in design, expect this line to be as big for its classic appeal. You can see more of the collection below and click here to purchase the Spring 2013 capsule collection now from their site.

Levi’s is celebrating 140 years of a cultural icon – The Levi’s 501! It’s amazing to think that the classic 501 cut, which is still popular today, was first brought onto the scene back in 1873! For this little celebratory campaign (titled Happy Birthday, Mr. Blue Jean), Levi’s has put together some quotes from designers, even a timeline of the 501′s evolution and a cool video which you can watch above.

When Levi Strauss partnered with tailor Jacob Davis in 1873 on a patent for riveted pockets on work pants for Western pioneers, they couldn’t have dreamed of its impact on modern culture. The Levi’s® 501® button fly jean – the original and first ever blue jean – was born this coming Monday, May 20, 1873. And 140 years later, it is more popular and even more relevant to global culture and style than ever before.

“I wish I had invented the 501®.” – Tom Ford – “I wish I had invented blue jeans. They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity – all I hope for in my clothes.” – Yves Saint Laurent.

Below, you can take an historical look at the 501’s impact on culture over the last 140 years! I also wrote a post myself on the history of denim, which does give a lot of credit to Levi’s as well, so if you like history, you can check that out here.

1873 The birthday of the blue jean. Levi Strauss and Nevada tailor Jacob Davis get together to reinforce a garment for working western pioneers by using copper rivets at the point of strain. This became the first iteration of the 501® jean, then called XX. On May 20, 1873, the original patent for using rivets on men’s pants was granted, and an America icon was born.

1890 Lot numbers were first used to differentiate the various products made by the Levi’s® brand. The 501® jean as it is now called, was officially named when the number was assigned to the now world famous “copper riveted waist overalls.”

1936 The first Red Tab device was placed on the right hand pocket to differentiate Levi’s® jeans from imitators.

1943 The famous Arcuate stitch design, which has graced the back pockets on the 501® jean since its debut, was registered as a trademark in 1943. It is iconic in its own right, as one of the oldest clothing trademarks still in use today.

1950s The Rebels of the 1950s proudly wore the 501® jean – adopted from the laborers after the Great Depression – and made it a symbol of irreverence and solidarity. Worn by everyone from James Dean and Marlon Brando to Jack Kerouac and Jackson Pollock, the 501® jean became the emblem of youth and a symbol of rebellion. Emerging in Hollywood, style icons begin to embrace the 501® after Marilyn Monroe is seen wearing them in hit film ‘The Misfits’.

1964 So significant is the cultural impact of the 501® that in 1964 a pair of 501® jeans entered the Permanent Collections of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C.

1960s & 70s Far from being simply a museum exhibit, millions of pairs of 501® jeans continue to be worn by young pioneers who are writing history, their ubiquitous presence seen throughout the peace movement of the 1960s and 1970s.

1980s Steve Jobs adopts his signature look of a black turtleneck, Levi’s® 501® jeans and gray New Balance sneakers.

1989 Pioneers continue to wear the 501® as seen atop the Berlin Wall as it came down in 1989.

1990s Worn throughout the Grunge Movement, the 501® continues to remain at the forefront of change across generations, becoming a staple in Kurt Cobain’s wardrobe and other legendary rock stars.

2000 Time Magazine names the 501® jean the “fashion item of the 20th century”, beating out the miniskirt and the little black dress.

2009 President Barack Obama wears Levi’s® 501s to throw out the first pitch at the 2009 All Star Baseball Game

Today The uniform of progress since 1873, Levi’s® jeans are still the first choice of modern pioneers: the artists, musicians, entrepreneurs, activists, bloggers, and even presidents trail blazing the modern frontier in their 501® jeans.

There is a new premium denim brand on the market from creative director, Jimmy Taverniti. The brand is called D-ID and is based out of New York. D-ID 
seeks 
to 
rediscover
 the
 true 
identity 
of 
denim
 through 
the
 launch
 of 
its 
Fall
/
Winter 
2013 
collection. The name is an an
acronym 
for 
Denim
 Identity and D‐ID 
stands 
out 
among
 the
 current
 trend driven 
market, 
proving
 that 
authentic 
denim 
remains 
the 
fashion‐forward
 favorite.
 I have included information from the press release below as well as a gallery full of look book images for you to see. What do you think of D-ID?

Creative
 Director 
Jimmy 
Taverniti
 draws
 D‐ID’s
 roots
 from
 three 
cities — New
York,
 Los
 Angeles 
and
 Paris. 
Melding 
East
 Coast
edge,
 West 
Coast 
ease,
 and
 Parisian
 refinement,
 D‐ID 
offers 
a
 subtle 
and
 sophisticated 
approach
 to 
premium 
denim, 
evolving 
trends
 by 
applying
 innovative
 techniques 
to
 classic
 silhouettes.


While
 the 
fits
 are 
basic,
 the
 details
 are
 anything
 but.
 The
 standout 
element 
is
 a 
diamond‐stitched,
 or 
“diamant,”
 quilting
 technique, 
providing 
untreated 
blue
 denim 
with
 tactful 
texture, 
and 
giving
 coated
 black
 jeans
 the
 illusion
 of
 quilted 
leather. 
High quality
 Japanese 
and
 Italian
 denim
 are 
seen
 in
 cream,
 traditional 
blue,
 and
 over
dyed 
black,
 with
 subtle
 distressing 
found
 on 
select
 styles.
 Garment 
dyes
 and 
flocking
 are 
used,
 as 
are 
transparent
 coatings,
 adding 
a 
slight 
sheen 
when
 applied
 over
 subtle 
prints
 and
 double 
dyed
 styles.


The 
collection 
focuses 
on
 five 
main 
cuts 
for 
women:
 Basic
skinny
, Cropped
 skinny
, Moto
 skinny
, Ankle 
zip
 and Hidden 
ankle 
zip.
 These, 
plus 
a 
boyfriend‐style
 jean, 
are 
offered 
in 
32” 
regular, 
29”
ankle, 
and
27” 
cropped 
inseams,
 all 
in
 a
 size 
run 
of 
24
–
32. 
Rounding 
out 
the 
selection
 are 
traditional 
jean 
and 
biker‐style 
jackets,
 featuring
 the
 same
 “diamant” 
quilting 
and 
flocking 
techniques 
as 
the 
jeans, 
creating
 a
 “total
 denim”
 look 
when 
paired 
together.



Made
in 
the 
USA, 
the 
Fall
/
Winter 
2013 
collection 
will 
be 
sold 
at Bloomingdale’s 
and Neiman Marcus, 
in
 addition 
to 
select 
specialty
 boutiques.
 Prices
 range 
from 
$138 
for 
a
 basic 
jean 
to 
$228 
for 
more 
advanced 
styles, 
maintaining 
the 
collection’s 
accessibility 
within
 the
 premium 
market.

Summer is quickly approaching, and that means it’s time to show off your cropped denim styles.  Crops are the perfect balance for an effortless summer look.

From indigo, to vibrant hues, to crisp whites, J Brand has got you covered.  If you’re looking for something to liven up a look, try the 835 Mid-Rise Capri in Julep, a fresh pastel that will add a pop to any outfit.  If you’re interested in a neutral tone, try the 835 Mid-Rise Capri in Ventura.  This grey denim is a great twist on classic denim, and will transition seamlessly from season to season.  Really trying to make a fashion statement?  Try the Sylvie in Blanc, a cropped flare in a crisp white.  White is the color of summer, but you’re guaranteed to stand out in this unique cut.

Wedges are the perfect pairing for these J Brand styles, so dust off your espadrilles or cork wedges and show them some love!

J Brand is a DenimBlog sponsor.

Shopbop teamed up with Ruby Aldridge to style some of Citizens of Humanity’s latest styles for the site. The pairs she styled include the Simone Finnely Stripe Jeans (Pictured above), the Quincy Overalls, and The Moto Vest. You can check out all of the looks below and shop the looks on Shopbop.com. My favorite is the Moto Vest paired with the striped Ava cut off shorts. Which is your favorite look?

Caroline Issa has styled and art directed a new and interesting mini film for MiH Jeans. The video shows different ways to wear the brands new Bonn jean. The Bonn is a high rise super skinny jean and comes in numerous washes.

Caroline is a former financial whiz turned publisher (of iconic Tank magazine), an editor, general mastermind, street style star and designer, so MiH are very happy to have her for this little project. I love the blue colour block jacket in the video too, it’s gorgeous! You can watch it above and let us know what you think!

Diesel has ignited yet another firestorm by appointing Nicola Formichetti to be the commander-in-chief of Diesel’s team. Starting with the Fall/Winter 2013 collection ‘the multifaceted, volatile, OTT stylist, designer and social media star’ will become the new artistic director of the brand. For those of you not familiar with Nicola’s work, you may know him better as Lady Gaga’s stylist!

“I finally met somebody as crazy as I am,” said Renzo Rosso, founder of Diesel. “Nicola shares my vision and I find it incredibly inspiring to work with him: two creative planets are colliding to generate fresh, mad, insane ideas. With his help, I want to break more rules and bring the real Diesel to a new generation.”

“When Renzo asked me,” said Nicola Formichetti, the edgy young visionary, “I remembered that Diesel and I are all about the same things. No rules! It’s about being empowered, It’s about being free. It’s a positive revolution. We’re going to REBOOT! Hit refresh. That’s our first project: we’re ripping apart everything to re-build something bigger. I want to get the creative young people around the world to be part of the process.”

Nicola will also oversee all creative activities of the Diesel main line, including the areas of product, communications and interior design. He will bring his own interpretation to the Diesel way of living – unpredictable, original, fun – coordinating the existing Diesel Creative Team and his new fresh recruits from different fields.

Nicola started his new role with the DIESELREBOOT project on the 4th April and he plans to mobilize an emerging global creative community to collaborate with him. The project will live in the all-access zone of Tumblr, which is live now. You can see the progress and more by checking out the Diesel Tumblr here. I’m actually really interested in seeing how this will turn out. A lot of people are wondering how far he can go, like with Lady Gaga’s meat outfit, but I hope it doesn’t reach that extent. What are your thoughts?

For their latest collaboration, Current/Elliott has teamed up with Mary Katrantzou for a new and inventive 9 piece collection. The collection features dresses, jeans, and shorts, with Katrantzou’s bold prints.

The inspiration behind the prints were the stamps and visas found in a passport, which makes for some graphic and colorful pieces. Price point starts at around $300 and pieces are available for purchase online at MyWardrobe.com and in stores. Check out the entire collection below. What do you think?

Wrangler’s new and innovative Denim Spa jeans have just had a restock on ASOS after selling out in under a week upon their release.

To mark the restock, Wrangler have released a new video featuring the face of the campaign, Lizzie Jagger. It’s a really cool video which you can watch above and if you aren’t familiar with the Denim Spa collection, you can read more about the jeans in a post I wrote previously explaining all about the concept.

I’ve been noticing a lot of denim brands branching into Japanese denim. This particular area has been growing in popularity over the past couple of years even though a good few luxury brands have been using Japanese denim for years. Now that Japanese denim has been becoming more widespread, I decided to take a look and see what the fuss is about so my plan is to take 3 jeans from 3 different brands, operating at 3 different price ranges and compare and contrast the three to see if we can get to the root of this latest fascination with Japanese selvedge denim.

First some background, Japanese denim comes from a demand from Japanese youth culture in response to the growing popularity with denim in America in the 50s (Thanks James Dean!). It got to the stage during the 80s that importing American denim was an expensive but lucrative business and it was this that prompted Japanese manufacturers to start creating their own denim. It all started on narrow looms created by the toyoda company (yes that’s what the car company Toyota did before cars) and were able to create fabric at a higher rate then other looms. They also had the benefit of neater ends to the fabric and thus stopped unraveling.

A strip of coloured fabric was attached to this end and it became the self-edge or selvedge denim. Typically red in colour, but others have been used. The denim was typically, but not exclusively, higher in denim ounce making for more thicker and more durable denim and they were also produced with untreated and natural pigment. These two factors lead to jeans becoming individual as they are worn. This became the staple of Japanese denim that we know and love. Real denim officiendos will wear these pairs for up to 6 months without washing to lock in that worn vintage look.

This has become the basis for the latest surge in popularity for this particular type of denim. Brands such as Nudie and Dior Homme have been doing it for years now but now we can look at another brand, All Saints who this season have expanded their collection of Japanese Denim to include multiple pieces including jeans and jackets.

Here we look at the Oshima Iggy jeans: First of all, All Saints have decided not to follow the raw convention, but has undergone treatments basically doing all the work for you so you can get that worn in look straight away. First point is the cost: Japanese and luxury denim can be seriously expensive and typically exclusive to denim fans who know their denim! Now, All Saints have made Japanese denim available to the wider public.

Last year I spotted All Saints first Japanese piece, the Bloomsbury denim jacket and I was astonished at the quality and feel of the denim. I loved it and it’s become a wardrobe staple.

The craftsmanship of the Oshima Iggy is solid here, rivets, reinforced pockets and seams and a button fly. The denim ounce hasn’t been confirmed but I’m guessing it’s about 11-12oz which is on the lighter side, but they feel solid with very little give in the denim and a definite sense of superior quality to other All Saints jeans.

The fit is great though, a proper slim fit with a slim leg without being too skinny. But what I like is that the waist is fitted so my butt doesn’t fall out when I bend over due to the low rise. I’m a big Diesel fan so I would say they fit the same as Thavar with a little bit more room in the thigh and the fitted waist. The butt area is nice and snug with good pocket placement, my wife really liked it in these!! The red selvedge is perfect for turn ups.

The wash won’t set the world on fire, but it’s a good rich dark blue with gentle sanding and can be easily dressed up or down making it perfect for any occasion. To me, it’s just a good plain wash that’s well made. The price is a real winner, at £110/€127 you’re getting a good bit of bang for your buck for what is an excellent robust jean. It’s a good starting point for Japanese denim.