Blogger’s View: Denim’s Inside Influencers
Tuned in bloggers may have some of the best insight into what’s happening with denim trends and innovations, as many are living and breathing all things denim and following the brands and designers producing it.
Continuing to tap the sector’s savviest bloggers, Carved in Blue caught up with two more social media leaders to get the scoop on denim.
JOHN ARCELLA – THE DAILY CHORE
Carved in Blue: What’s your favorite denim trend this season?
John: Right now I’m intrigued by laser technology and the super sharp and crisp designs and fades that are being achieved. At the last Denim Days event, Baldwin had a very soft denim chore coat and all the fades were done by laser technology. I was extremely impressed by them. I also see Levis doing some cool denim designs with lasers. Also, my favorite trend forever is patchwork!
Carved in Blue: Who do you admire most in our industry?
John: I am a fan of Kings of Indigo, they were the first denim brand that brought sustainability in denim to my attention as a consumer. I am a huge fan of Jason Denham, he continues to push the envelope and inspire me in all aspects. Kapital Japan and FDMTL constantly make my jaw drop! I popped into Son of a Stag in London and I thought I had died and gone to denim heaven! Candiani continues to innovate and they are going strong.
Carved in Blue: What is the next denim frontier?
John: Space. (denim space suit?) That probably wouldn’t work I guess. Lol!
Carved in Blue: How important do you think sustainability is to the future of denim and why?
John: Well, my super sustainable answer would be, if I wanted to truly support sustainability I would look to buy vintage, instead of something new. So I could give a product a second or third life. I see a couple of brands giving new life to old jeans by creating beautiful patchwork or even giving an old pair of jeans a tune up. I am starting to see brands like Madewell offer a discount on a new purchase if you bring in your old denim (no matter what the brand), and then they turn your old denim into something else. I think there should be some kind of balance. For example, my closet is at capacity, so for every new thing I buy, I donate something old.
My tangent, sustainability, is a pretty powerful buzzword this year and we are seeing brands becoming more transparent in their production process. The consumers are becoming more aware of this and are probably more inclined to purchase items with a smaller carbon footprint. I think more and more people are supporting brands that are taking steps to protect the environment. But on the flip side, I think smart consumers are also noticing that some brands only claim to be sustainable to attract and gain their trust. So, my advice to these brands is “do it from the heart.”
Carved in Blue: What is the worst trend you’ve seen in denim?
John: Honestly, I’m not a big fan of slapping denim on sneakers and calling it a day. However, Vans did a stunning collaboration with FDMTL, I would love to get my hands on those. I wasn’t a big fan of the Denim Jordan’s or the denim Air Force 1’s.
SAM REMER – Ilovejeans.com
Carved in Blue: What’s your favorite denim trend this season?
Sam: My favorite denim trend this season has to be ‘Patchwork & Panel’ as I never tire from the different way patchwork can be used to create a story in denim. The tiniest patchwork turns into a mosaic of blue and the largest jigsaw of paneled pieces can change the body shape of the wearer.
Carved in Blue: Who do you admire most in our industry?
Sam: I have total admiration for Emma Grede and Khloe Kardashian for creating the ‘Size Inclusive’ denim brand Good American that has empowered women of all sizes to be able to shop from the same store/online website. I’m not interested in the latest Kardashian gossip but you can’t fail to admire the way this brand has succeeded and is now paving the way for inclusive sizing.
Carved in Blue: What is the next denim frontier?
Sam: With sustainability being the forefront of the Denim Industry I think making jeans without using cotton is going to be the new denim frontier. We are already seeing plastic bottles being used in denim.
Carved in Blue: How important do you think sustainability is to the future of denim and why?
Sam: Sustainability for the denim industry is the only way forward. The impact on the environment from our favorite denim brands is-massive. Smaller denim brands find it easier to start to be sustainable, for example MiH Jean’s is working to ensure their denim is made by low impact fabrics and processes. It’s a slow process but it’s a start. MiH Jeans is also offering a recycling service with the incentive of sending in your old jeans to get a voucher for new jeans. I love the thought of my old jeans starting a new life. J Brand jeans have just launched a sustainable denim collection of 10 styles that have been made with sustainable efforts to reduce the water used, 30 percent organic cotton,recycled hardware and threads. I see it as dipping their toe in the sustainable market which proves that it can be done. However, it’s just as important for me as a denim lover to stop buying jeans that aren’t sustainable and think about recycling!
Carved in Blue: What is the worst trend you’ve seen in denim?
Sam: All trends have their moment and the bad ones crash and burn. This one isn’t really a trend as such, but a style that the majority of women should walk away from. The pocket-less jean has to be the worst style of jean and so hard to carry off!