Instagrammers: I Spy Something Denim
Denim junkies will find all manner of platforms to portray their love for blue, and these Instagrammers are compiling square shrines to all things indigo.
From showcasing what’s the latest to what’s loved and what’s likely the look coming down the pipeline, denim savvy bloggers and ‘Grammers are finding new ways to highlight an old love. Here, we caught up with two Instagrammers, 23oz.indigo and denim.addiction, who are bringing the best of denim to light, one post at a time.
23oz.indigo, created by Manchester, U.K.-based Amanda Barnes, knows how to show denim at its best throughout all stages of the creation process. From creative denim displays, to shoes dyed indigo, to happy people donning the latest denim, 23oz.indigo is bringing the denim life cycle to life.
Carved in Blue: Why did you start Instagramming?
Amanda: Over the years I have developed a passion for denim that has taken me to places and events I never thought I would experience. Being a creative person I find visuals jog my memory so taking a quick photo when something inspired me has been an important part of my journey. Instagram has given me the perfect platform to share these with the incredible mix of denim lovers and enthusiasts out there. This is a great outlet for all things denim and a glimpse into my denim adventures, hopefully inspiring others.
Carved in Blue: What is your take on denim both in life and business?
Amanda: As a designer I find denim is an ideal fabric due to its versatility and longevity. I can keep re-imagining it, making it relevant for new generations. Most people own a denim garment, so from a professional view this is a great sustainable product as there is no sign of it dying off and there is always new innovations and fibres being introduced to push the product to the next level.
Being part of a wider denim community that appreciates details, craftsmanship, signs of age on a pair of jeans that can be acquired along its lifetime adding to its beauty and character, this is what inspires my passion for denim.
I adore handcrafted and handwoven fabrics where imperfections are clearly visible showing the human touch and the love and care that has gone in to making it. Seven Senses is a great example of this, they produce beautiful handcrafted denim fabric in India. Also Daniel at the London Cloth Company is manufacturing stunning yards of fabric produced on vintage looms in his micro mill.
There is such an amazing following of denim and denim styling out there from the selvedge obsessed, the heavy ounce lovers, the wear pattern documenters to the indigo dyers, weavers and mills and many more. There is not another fabric that can boast such a huge and dedicated fan base and this really appeals to me as all aspects interest me.
Carved in Blue: What was your first pair of jeans?
Amanda: The first pair I remember buying were Eclipse jeans with the logo on the back pocket, very 90s and looking back, not very attractive. When I was studying I spent most of my student loan on clothes and invested in a pair of Pop Boutique extreme wide leg flares, which I have recently pulled out again so it is always worth hanging onto denim. Being a complete hoarder I have archived pairs of jeans for future reference.
Carved in Blue: What is your motto/style angle?
Amanda: ‘Good things happen to good denim.’ If your jeans are made ethically, responsibly and with good quality materials and well considered design for a fair price you will love them, you will wear them, they will be your ‘go to’ and they will give you confidence when you wear them for all your favourite events. You will make them last as long as you can and they will look amazing as they age with any repairs adding to the beauty. ‘Good in’ equals ‘good out.’
Carved in Blue: Which brand now is your favorite?
Amanda: I am always researching and looking out for new brands but the ones that stand out are the ones with passion and personality. Having become a denim tourist I have visited some of my most admired brands as I like to meet the people behind the brand to really get a feel for what they are about. Dawson Denim are such a lovely, down to earth, incredibly hardworking, talented couple with a wealth of knowledge on denim and denim history who are based in Brighton. Hiut Denim has been a brand I have followed and loved for a while having become interested in the ‘Do lectures’ run by its founder David Hiut, I have visited his growing set up in Wales where they are reviving the making industry that once thrived in the area. Blackhorse Lane Ateliers where Han and the experienced team are making premium high quality denim as well as opening up this creative hub to the public to see who makes your jeans and how it is done. He also collaborates with industry professionals holding workshops, I was lucky enough to recently take part in the denim master class held by Mohsin, founder of Endrime, who shared his vast denim making skills enabling me to create my very own unique pair of Blackhorse Lane jeans.
Carved in Blue: Where do you shop for your denim?
Amanda: Having worked within the fast fashion industry I have seen the pollution and waste it can cause so I am trying to make more conscious decisions in my clothes purchases, only buying when I need to, only if I love it and from transparent brands or second hand stores. When possible, I invest in jeans from a brand that I believe shares my values, otherwise I love finding hidden denim treasures in a vintage store.
Carved in Blue: Who do you look to for denim inspiration?
Amanda: In my daily life denim is always on the radar so I am always looking out for an interesting selvedge turn up, a unique customization or an unusual back pocket profile stitch. Catwalk awareness is crucial for commercial designing and with the increased use of denim within collections I have enjoyed designers such as Faustian Steinmetz who has been doing some really experimental textures that has been pushing the boundaries of what denim can do and Y-Project which has played with the structure and proportion challenging basic denim shapes. Instagram is a great source for gauging where people’s attention is or to catch a new trend rising as well as seeing the latest updates from denim forecasters such as Amy Leverton and Kelly Harrington.
Carved in Blue: What do you think is missing from the denim market today?
Amanda: Denim made locally. Qith Manchester recently seeing the opening of the U.K.’s only cotton mill it would be amazing to see this ignite a regeneration of the textile industry bringing back craftsmanship and skills that have died off over the years. Also, more sustainable and transparent brands offering commercial options at affordable prices using all the technology that is now currently available. There are so many great initiatives and fibres that would dramatically change the impact of a garment and I would love to see more companies taking these on board and rolling them out in mass production.
Carved in Blue: What does “Carved in Blue” mean to you?
Amanda: Ingrained passion to create great denim sustainably.
At Denim.Addiction, Aamir Chottani’s aptly named Instagram page, it’s easy to tell where his love lies. With beautiful women wearing beautiful denim in every silhouette imaginable, from cropped wide legs to jeans with fringe to off-the-shoulder dresses and jumpsuits, Aamir’s page highlights the range of modern denim and all the innovative things designers and mills are doing with it. Besides posting on Denim.Addiction, Pakistan-based Aamir is the creative head of Chottani Denim, with a passion for indigo.
Carved in Blue: Why did you start Instagramming?
Aamir: To share ideas and inspirations with our indigo family.
Carved in Blue: What is your take on denim both in life and business?
Aamir: Denim is a part of our daily lives now. From basics to high fashion, it’s there to stay. Denim is a passion which coincides with personal life and business. It is very difficult for me to determine when it is personal and when is it business.
Carved in Blue: What was your first pair of jeans?
Aamir: First pair of jeans worth remembering was a straight fit AG jeans.
Carved in Blue: Which brands are now your favorite?
Aamir: Paige, AG jeans, Nudie and 7 For All Mankind.
Carved in Blue: So where do you shop for your denim?
Aamir: Selfridges in London and Neiman Marcus in New York.
Carved in Blue: What is your motto/style angle?
Aamir: Fashion first without compromising on comfort!
Carved in Blue: Who do you look to for denim inspiration?
Aamir: Marques-Almeida, MAJE, Citizens of Humanity, Mihara Yasuhiro, Current/Elliott, FRAME, Stella McCartney, Natasha ZINKO and there are many more great designers who inspire me.
Carved in Blue: What is missing from the denim market now?
Aamir: The sustainable manufacturing practices need much more attention and traceability.
Carved in Blue: What does “Carved in Blue” mean to you?
Aamir: A rich heritage of denim with solutions for the “green future.”