By Jenna Black
Unlike other trends that come and go and ultimately end up in the ‘don’t go there’ pile, denim has managed to stick around through decades of fashion. This season, denim is back in full force with new styles and new ways to wear our wardrobe essentials. We take a look at the brands that design denim the best, the celebrities that prove denim is still hot, and what denim trends will be most popular this season.
Denim Divas and the International Scene
Luxury Denim on the International Scene
Some of the biggest fashion houses on the international circuit incorporate denim into their collections. Chloe choose to mix their denim styles up, through high waisted wrap skirts and dresses in baby blue washes. Fashion power house Dolce and Gabbana, infuse denim into their men’s and women’s collections. D&G denim, ranges from white washes, to shredded detail and jewel encrusted vintage denim.
Recently, fashion power house Balmain have created denim pieces that cost a small fortune. Many celebrities have jumped on the Balmain circuit, coveting their distressed, shredded jeans and military style denim jackets. Last year Balmain released a pair of black crystal embellished Ankh denim jeans, priced online at AUD $7,583.00. The question is how much is too much to pay for premium denim?
The Rise Of The Celebrity Denim Icon
Throughout the decades we have seen a rise in celebrities fronting fashion campaigns, especially for denim labels. Jordache Brand were the originators in designer denim, creating a label that oozed sexiness back in the 1970’s, and more recently they have signed actress Elizabeth Hurley as their celebrity spokesperson. In the 1980’s actress Brooke Shields caused Calvin Klein’s sales to skyrocket, bringing the label to super designer status.
Denim collaborations are also on the rise, with recent duo teams including Seven For All Mankind and stylist Jonathan Adler, or power house Lanvin with creative label Acne.
So which celebrities are the true denim divas? Kate Moss works denim well into many of her outfits, and has even incorporated a range of denim into her collection for Top Shop; from denim blazers, to low rise wide leg jeans. Actress Rachel Bilson is a huge fan of the boyfriend jean, and she shows us how to wear this look stylishly. You can take inspiration from other celebrities such as Jessica Biel or Sienna Miller, who make the most casual denim outfit look super stylish.
Denim Styles for the Season
We all have a staple pair of denim jeans in our wardrobe (or several). Denim jeans are without doubt the most popular piece for every woman. As we head into Winter we tend to opt for darker denim to pair with our boots and jackets, and this year is no different.
Hot Jean Styles For Winter
Dark denim is best for a flattering look, and there are many different denim shades to choose from. For Winter, the hottest style pick is the bootleg cut in dark denim or black, as it’s easy to pair with your favourite boots, and suits a number of shapes. For a more figure hugging look, opt for the skinny leg jean, which can easily be tucked into boots, or worn with heels for a sophisticated slim lined look.
If you prefer a lighter shade of denim, you are sure to find something perfect this season, as many brands are looking to past decades for influence. We are seeing a lot of baby blue and acid wash denim coming out in boyfriend cuts or skinny leg.
Double Denim
Although it might not be for everyone, the double denim trend, that was a sure hit in the 90’s, is back in full swing this season. The big contenders leading the double denim trend this season are labels like Ksubi, who celebrated their 10th birthday at RAFW, with a collection thriving of acid wash.
Other Styles of Denim
Although jeans are without doubt the most popular choice of denim, the fabric favourite is available in many other styles. Other options this season include a high waisted denim skirt, a cute denim dress, or a loose denim shirt paired with a plain white tee.
The Brands that do Denim Best
Australia is at the forefront of the denim industry with internationally recognised brands such as cult denim label Ksubi and chain store company Jeanswest, under our belt. Many of Australia’s greatest designers work with denim including Bettina Liano, Arabella Ramsay and Sass & Bide.
Whilst designer denim can be expensive in Australia, there are a number of international labels offering fabulous designs at affordable prices. Our top picks include Levi’s, Diesel, G-Star, J-brand and Cheap Monday, who each produce a wide range of shades and styles to cover every taste. Chain stores like Sportsgirl and Just Jeans also offer a great range of styles for great prices.
Image source:justjared.com, levi’s, trendhunter.com, styleonfile.com
