Denimology

UNIQLO Spring Summer 2009 Lookbook

Known for their great styles and even better price point, UNIQLO has been a favorite of fashionistas everywhere since their inception in 2005. Tagged as a "new-style Japanese firm making good casual clothes available for all to wear", UNIQLO has rolled out a line this spring that is not only pleasing to the eye, but once again, pleasing to the check book too.

For us ladies, UNIQLO is offering flirty colors in a new straight and skinny cut, ranging from seafoam greens to adorable cotton-candy pinks.

"The super-stretch fabric lends itself perfectly to the body skimming skinny design and is made from the softest cotton before being treated with the distinctive and nostalgic stonewash effect, modernised in UNIQLO's inimitable colourful style" said Liz Roscoe of Modus Publicity for the SS09 collection.

And for the gents...don't worry, you have not been left out...not even close. With the success of UNIQLO's women's line, 2009 brings the launch of a new menswear collection.

Sticking with the Japanese Premium tradition that has brought them thus far, UNIQLO is offering two cuts for men: Slim Fit and Regular Fit Jeans. They will be available in blue, black and indigo (regular fit only in black and indigo).

UNIQLO's women's collection is offered in UNIQLO stores and online at uniqlo.co.uk and retails for an amazing $35.00 USD whilst the men's collection is found exclusively Selfridges in London for around $70.00 USD.

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Denim News: Earnest Sewn Duo Depart

More shifting in the designer denim world this week, kids! PR Director and Creative Director, Eleanor Ylvisaker and Scott Morrison, respectively, are leaving their places at the helm of The Earnest Sewn Company. The co-founders of the label, although planning to remain as minority share-holders in the label, will no longer keep a creative or directorial role in the day-to-day operations at cult jean company.

Earnest Sewn, which is known for mixing the Japanese wabi-sabi denim aesthetic with All-American indigo dyes and old fashioned loom-woven quality is about to see big changes. What was supposed to be a new West Coast retail location at 7501 Beverly Boulevard (falling on the heels of the Malibu location's somewhat-success in 2008) is now looking like a no-go.

The company's current President, Michael Press, told WWD on Tuesday that, "Scott and Eleanor did an outstanding job creating an iconic brand and an ideology within the company, but taking that concept and the brand to the next level is something the company's been struggling with for a long time."

To most, Earnest Sewn's "iconic" "idealogy" (as the press put it ever-so neatly) has become somewhat synonymous with Ms. Ylvisaker's mega-chic and Mr. Morrison's uptown bohemianism. And, to that end, I can say that I am both very excited and yet slightly alarmed by the concept that bigger will be better at Earnest Sewn. You never know what tomorrow will bring!

Self Edge + Dry Bones + Superfuture

We like to think that we're pretty evolved when it comes to denim, but we have to take our hats off to the folks on the Superfuture forum, who are certified denim nuts. In what must be a first, the forum users were asked to collaborate with a denim store, Self Edge, and a Japanese denim brand, Dry Bones, to create the perfect pair of 'dry' denim jeans. To give you some idea of the level of detail that has gone into the collaboration, here is how Kiya from Self Edge has described the process:

"Months were spent getting the denim exactly where we wanted it and the denim was woven for this project; as the denim has never before been used on another garment nobody knows exactly how it will age. Self Edge has chosen a denim with a little more weight than the classic styles, at 16oz it’s got heft to it, and with massive amounts of character showing from the warp and weft it’s sure to age well. We’re proud the way the denim has turned out, it’s something we’ve never had in the store before. The fit is that of a straight leg jean, slightly slimmed down, with a button fly and a long inseam which can be hemmed to the wearer’s length without altering the silhouette. The denim has been calendered and singed, yet hasn’t lost any character which is instantly recognizable even at a quick glance. Rounded out with hidden rivets, cowhide leather tag, Superfuture dual-tone “Rep Bar” stitch, military grade green rear pocket linings, coin pocket selvedge, and a cotton poly-core stitch; this jean is exactly what we want to be seen in.”

Only 300 pairs were produced, and released simultaneously online and at the Self Edge store in San Francisco on 28th February. Given the obsession of these denimheads, I think it may already be too late to get in line...

April 77 Launch Selvedge Denim Line

Jeans brands don't get much cooler than April 77 with their killer unisex skinnies, guitar pick pockets and rock & roll vibe. Autumn will see them moving into serious jeans territory with the launch of a high-end collection of Japanese red selvedge denims, and above is a glimpse of the denims and styles at sketchbook stage. Barneys and Bergdorf's will carry them in the USA, and we're desperately hoping they'll be available somewhere in the UK too!

Source: Refinery 29

Y-3 Fall 2009 Ready-to-Wear

The collection that notoriously marries Yohji Yamamoto's peculiar chic with Adidas's classic athleticism was back at Pier 40 in New York this season with a bang. And this time, it was an occasion to see not only women's and menswear coming down the catwalk, but a sprinkling of children's apparel as well.

The show, which was set beneath a colorful oil canvas by Brooklyn artist MOMO, also featured hand-painted denim by same. Mr. Yamamoto himself, also made his first appearance at the show's conclusion, hearded down the runway by denim clad children, in his classic black wardrobe, yet smiling as brightly as some of the brilliant pumpkin and azure tones that speckled the collection this year.

Y-3 is just coming around into it's own. It is just beginning to make a name for itself beneath the weight of Yohji's namesake and Adidas's branding. Yet, with clean quality japanese denim and selvedge lines leading the way (not to mention impeccable attention to detail and creativity) I have a feeling they will be around for a while.

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Edwin x Hello Kitty Denim Dolls

You can get Hello Kitty versions of everything these days so it is no surprise to see that Japanese jeans brand Edwin have collaborated with them to produce these denim dolls. (Source: UrbanPromoter)