Denimology

Ask The Jean Genie

Are you having trouble finding the perfect pair of jeans? Then I recommend that you try the Glam.com Jean Genie - it will help you find the right pair of jeans to make your legs look longer, your waist look smaller and your butt look perkier.

Top 10 Most Searched For Denim Brands

San Francisco-based Stylophane has produced a Search Popularity Index of the Top 10 most searched for denim brands online. The results are quite suprising with the No1 spot going to Guess Jeans rather than Diesel or Levi's - a sign that the Guess Jeans' celebrity based advertising campaigns such as the one featuring Paris Hilton (see above) are proving particularly effective. Here is the full list:

1. Guess Jeans
2. Diesel
3. Levi's
4. Seven Jeans
5. Apple Bottoms
6. Von Dutch
7. Citizens Of Humanity
8. Miss Sixty
9. Lucky Jeans
10. True Religion Jeans

Frankie B - The Guns N' Roses Influence

The Guardian has an interesting interview with Daniella Clarke designer of the Frankie B denim collection and wife of one time Guns N' Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke. Apparently her line of jeans was originally inspired by the low slung rock and roll way in which Guns N' Roses used to wear their trousers.

Continued (with more photos)...

Ltd Edition Levi’s x Clot UNIONRAIL 501s

The Ltd Edition Levi's x Clot UNIONRAIL 501 jeans have been made in commemoration of the contribution made by the Chinese in United States during the 19th century. The Transcontinental Railroad which connected east and western United States was was built by the Central Pacific Railroad of which 90% of the employees were Chinese. The workers wore a denim work outfit because of the durability of the fabric and these jeans have been customized to show signs of wear such a paint, grease and rips similar to those that would have been seen on the orginal railroad workers. The thread used in the stitching is red and gold which are the colours of good luck in China. I like the idea behind the jeans but I am afraid they are a little too fussy for my liking. Just as well because these jeans are only available in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Continued (with more photos)...

Ironheart Extra Heavy Denim

In my opinion when it comes to men's denim the heavier the better. Most jeans (Levi's, Diesel, etc) are made of 8-12oz (ounce per square yard) denim. If you want to find something heavier you have to look to Japan - where the heaviest range of jeans (21oz) are made by Ironheart. Whilst the idea of wearing a pair of jeans made of material twice as thick as you are used to might sound daunting, they are actually extremely comfortable and although they are warmer than the average jeans you could still wear them on a sunny day without overheating. The 21oz straight selvage are similar in style to 1966 Levi's 501s and the attention to detail - stitching, pockets, rivets is second to none.

Continued (with more photos)...

Is Celebrity Denim Falling Out Of Fashion?

There were reports this week that Edun the denim and fashion line by Bono and his wife Ali Hewson (picture above with denim designer Ronan Gregory) has not been selling as well as expected. From what I have seen of their jeans the problem seems to lie in the fact that because they refuse to use sweatshop labour their jeans have a very high price tag (£200+) which just doesn't seem to be justified by the jeans themselves which are rather uninspiring.

Bono is not the only celeb to run into trouble with his jeans line though, as I mentioned previously Jessica Simpson is being sued for $100million by The Tarrant Apparel Group for failing to promote a line of jeans which she licensed her name to. Whilst it has also been reported that after a falling out Rock & Republic may not renew the contract they have with Victoria Beckham to design and promote their jeans. As far as I am concerned this is all a good things, celebs should go back to what they do best and leave designing jeans to the experts.