Instagrammers: All for the Indigo
Denim lovers know no bounds when it comes to professing their devotion to the favored fabric, and many are taking to Instagram to share that devotion with social media fans.
From high-fashion finds to new takes on 70s looks and mini denim digs for your pup, to more workman’s style looks paired with leather and like accessories, they do it all for the ‘Gram. Here Carved in Blue caught up with two of these Instagrammers to hear their denim stories and see what inspires them.
At the rightfully named @double_denim_addiction, Nicole Johnson certainly showcases a thing or two about denim fashion when she sees it. The Melbourne, Australia based denim die-hard has a knack for finding the most interest finds when it comes to what people are doing with denim—especially double denim, or all denim outfits.
Carved in Blue: Why did you start Instagramming?
Nicole: I have always loved denim and have a particular affinity with double denim so I started the @double_denim_addiction Instagram account as a summer holiday hobby two years ago.
Carved in Blue: What’s your take on denim both in life and business?
Nicole: Denim is so versatile and can be worn by anyone. It really is the fabric for anyone and anywhere. It can be super casual to crisp and clean so it can be worn anywhere between the beach and work. It can be embellished, ripped, patch-worked, deconstructed and refined. It really is a textile that can be worn as bought or something that is made completely unique by the wearer and their individual style. I tend to wear black denim during the week at work and blue jeans and denim shirts and jackets on the weekends. Any denim can be worn to work as long as it styled well, probably with the exception of ripped jeans which are best left for the weekend.
Carved in Blue: What was your first pair of jeans?
Nicole: My first denim was a dress embroidered with a cat’s face in the 1970s when I was two, but my most memorable denim was in the 80s, starting with a pair of acid wash cropped jeans with zippers and denim bows, moving into the classic Levi’s 501s which served me very well.
Carved in Blue: What is your motto/style angle?
Nicole: Go all out, too much denim is never enough! I love to layer up different denims to create blue tonal variations but I also like to keep it classic with a simple jean paired with a jumper or jacket that has a lot going on; or a seasonal pair of jeans with a basic top with lots of jewellery bling. You really can’t go wrong when it comes to styling denim, the world is your denim oyster.
Carved in Blue: Which brand now is your favorite?
Nicole: Rolla’s jeans fit me perfectly, so they’re my favourite for fit. I do love what Australian brands Vale Denim and DENIMSMITH are doing and always love Karen Walker’s denim collections.
Carved in Blue: Where do you shop for your denim?
Nicole: All over, I’m always looking online but denim really needs to be tried on to make sure the fit is right. I am a big fan of Rolla’s Jeans for their fit, and & Other Stories and COS always have new and interesting styles. Wrangler, DENIMSMITH, Acne Studios, Karen Walker, APC and Vale Denim all offer excellent selections of classic cuts and styles as well as on-trend, seasonal denim.
Carved in Blue: Who do you look for denim inspiration?
Nicole: All over. I clearly use Instagram regularly for denim inspo, but pics from the 70s and 80s are excellent resources for denim styling guidance.
Carved in Blue: What do you think is missing from the denim market today?
Nicole: Refined denim dresses and skirts. There’s a lot of great denim dresses and skirts around to wear casually but I haven’t been able to find a good selection of denim dresses and skirts that are right for the work or more formal occasions.
Carved in Blue: What does “Carved in Blue” mean to you?
Nicole: Finding your own denim style, owning it, being comfortable and confident in it.
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For @double_indigo’s Han Gao, denim loving is a favorite pastime. From getting the perfect cuff to accompany the boots to denim with embroidered lyrics on it to all the right leather fixings to finish it off, Gao, who hails from Nanjing, China, knows how to do denim right.
Carved in Blue: Why did you start Instagramming?
Han: I love vintage and denim culture, and everything about fashion. Maybe you can see me wearing vintage denim with chic sneakers. I do what I love to do. I want to share my attitude and lifestyle via my blog.
Carved in Blue: What was your first pair of jeans?
Han: So hard to remember, but it maybe was Levi’s.
Carved in Blue: What is your motto/style angle?
Han: Rugged never smooth.
Carved in Blue: Which brand now is your favorite?
Han: Haha, this is very difficult to choose. For raw denim, maybe Companion Denim is my favorite. For washed denim, Hysteric Glamour is my favorite.
Carved in Blue: Where do you shop for your denim?
Han: Sometimes physical store, sometimes I buy denim directly from the brand(because I am distributor of some denim brands).
Carved in Blue: Who do you look for denim inspiration?
Han: Maybe Kimura Takuya.
Carved in Blue: What do you think is missing from the denim market today?
Han: I think maybe originality is missing. Some different brands do same products, and I think denim culture is missing. Now we need to promote more denim culture.
Carved in Blue: What does “Carved in Blue” mean to you?
Han: I think it’s a lifestyle, maybe an attitude of life, a way of living.
I like a song called “Blue (Da Ba De),” the lyrics are:
yo listen up
Here’s the story about a little guy that lives in a blue world
And all day and all night and everything he sees is just blue like him
Inside and outside
Blue his house with the blue little window and a blue corvette
And everything is blue for him and his-self
And everybody around cuz he ain’t got nobody to listen.
I’m blue da ba dee da ba di da ba dee da ba di da d ba dee da ba di da ba dee
Do what you love to do.