Denimology

Levi's Sues Japanese Denim Brands

Last week I wrote about an article in the San Franciso Chronicle concerning the rise of Japanese selvage denim. It seems like Levi's must have also read the same article as they have set their lawyers on the companies that were mentioned. Japanese denim brands such as Sugarcane, Samurai and Studio D'Artisan, along with American retailers such as Self Edge in San Franciso are being sued for trademark infringement. Levi's are not happy that the jeans made by those brands resemble classic Levi's from the 40s, 50s and 60s and have demanded that all sales are to be stopped by Friday, January 19, 2007. Specifically the lawsuit says:

• There are to be NO tabs attatched between two pieces of fabric on the rear pockets.
  
• The cards hanging out of the back pocket, stapled to the pocket, must not look anything like vintage/modern Levi's Info Cards.
  
• Arcuates on the rear pockets must not resemble the Levi's arcuate in ANY way shape or form,
  
• Rear leather patch cannot contain an image of two moving objects (horses, motorcylcles, pigs, etc..) pulling apart a pair of jeans.

You cannot deny that there is a very strong similarity between Levi's leather patches (see above), pocket designs and tabs and the Japanese ones (see below), but it is quite a shock to find an entire genre of clothing banned from sale. Apparently the Japanese manufacturers are already redesigning their jeans to alter or remove the offending elements and the new jeans should be available in a month of two.
Studio D'Artisan Jeans Patch


Ironheart Jeans Patch

18th Amendment Jeans

18th Amendment are one of the brands that are responsible for introducing the new trend for high-waisted jeans. The label was started by Australian denim importer Rachel Rose who named it after the Amercian law banning the sale of alcohol, otherwise known at Prohibition. The collection is inspired by the era that followed when speakeasies, gangsters and flappers came into existence. That glamorous and decandent lifestyle is reflected in these long-legged, high-waisted jeans which are named after movie stars of the past such as Lauren Bacall (above) and Gina Lollobridgida (below).



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DSquared Fall 2007 Denim Collection

The DSquared Fall 2007 Men's Collection was shown at Milan Fashion Week and contained plenty of denim. I don't know whether it's just me but a lot of the jeans in this collection seem to be a weird shape - they have low crotches, are slightly relaxed around the thighs and then taper down to the ankles. Which puts me in mind of a blue baby carrot, I certainly hope this isn't a look that is going to catch on.



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Dolce & Gabbana Fall 07 Denim Collection

Dolce & Gabbana are well known for producing faded and distressed jeans, however this season they have decided to go for something altogether darker and smarter. Judging by the look of the jeans in this collection and the one from DSquared (both shown at Milan Fashion Week) it looks like the trend for skinny denim for men is going to be around for a little while longer.



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David Beckham in PRPS Jeans

David Beckham has been in the news a fair bit this last week, according to reports he is set to receive $250million for playing for the Los Angeles Galaxy. With that sort of income it is no wonder he has a liking for some of the most expensive men's jeans on the market. Yesterday he was photographed out and about in Madrid in a pair of PRPS Basic Dark Burner Jeans which would set you back the best part of £200.



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Kate Moss in Siwy Rose Jet Jeans

Kate Moss has started 2007 the same way she ended 2006 - not married to smackhead Pete Doherty and wearing Siwy Jeans. Here she is seen leaving at E&O restaurant in London this week wearing a pair of Siwy Rose Drainpipe Jeans in Jet Black.

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