DenimHunt

Escape from LA? No way!

Today's NY Times features an in-depth overview of the once again booming LA denim industry. Our favorite comparison Michael Barbaro makes is equating the denim industry in LA to the tech industry in Silicon Valley. Obviously,we're big fans of both as without either one we wouldn't be around.

"Los Angeles has quickly become the Silicon Valley of high-priced denim, with each step in the painstaking process of putting together a $200, $300 or more costly pair of jeans performed a few blocks from the next."

Check out the article in it's entirety, at NYTimes.com. While you're there, don't forget to poke around and check out the slideshow with images from Bread and Stronghold.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Bow Jeans

One of our favorite people, Judi Rosen, of LES outpost, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, always impresses us with her directional approach to denim. High-waist trouser jeans? She did it first. This summer's shorts revival? She had somethin' to do with it.

We were so excited to see her latest: the Bow jean. Starting with her favorite high-waist and hugging the body all the way to the ankle, these jeans are like a corset for your lower half. Making them even more special is the bow detail at the top of each 11" ankle zip and the wide range of colors including acid wash and pinstripes.

If you can't make it to her LES location on Kenmare, pop over to the ONLINE STORE.

We're having a party!

You're the first to hear it: We're having a launch party to celebrate the success of DenimHunt.com

Save the date for October 9 from 8-midnight.

We'll be throwin' down at Don Hill's with the help of the Ruff Kids and lots of special surprises!

More details to come!

Restoration of the Monarchy dinner at Freeman's

One of the highlights of New York Fashion Week was the VIP studded dinner at Freeman's in celebration of Eric Villency's new denim line, Restoration of the Monarchy. Not only were we excited about the collection, but we desperately needed a full meal of mac & cheese before hitting Alexander Wang's all-nighter. Fashion's who's-who were there including Tara Subkoff, Leelee Sobieski, Terry Richardson, Byrdie Bell, Jim Shi of Fashion Week Daily, and of course Olivier Zahm, editor-in-chief of Purple.

Restoration of the Monarchy features premium jeans made in the USA from Kentucky-manufactured denim. Concentration is placed on clean washes and sharp silhouettes with our favorite being the white sailor jeans Julia wore to the dinner and the jumpsuit she wears in the ad campaign.

Want to see the line? Check out the fall issue of Purple magazine, co-host of the event and first magazine to feature the ad campaign featuring Julia Restoin-Roitfeld, daughter of the queen of chic, Vogue Paris editor, Carine Roitfeld. Or, visit Restoration of the Monarchy.

Miss Sixty SS08

You've heard about everyone who was at Miss Sixty. Mischa Barton's lookin' pretty hot with her auburn hair.

But, more importantly, what about the collection? It was safe, but not boring. Denim was shown in dark, almost raw  washes with concentration being put on small silhouette updates. Instead of a skinny jean, very tailored jodpher styling was added to give discreet volume to an otherwise overdone trend. A basic denim jacket was cropped to become the perfect mate for the season's highwaist trousers and pencil skirts. We still don't understand the logo leotard, but luckily, as it's not denim, we don't need to concern ourselves too much.

G-star SS08

Our favorite graphic designer, (we're a bit biased) David Singer, raves about G-star every time we talk to him about jeans. We've yet to catch up with him post-fashion week, but we imagine his reaction is the same given the season's innovative, yet classic denim collection. Highlights include a denim-trimmed kimono-style dress and just-right slim-fit but not skinny, dark-wash jeans for men.

And, of course, the front-row was lined with pretty faces like Heather Graham and Tyson Beckford.

Buckler SS08

You already know we're big fans of Andrew Buckler and his anglo-denim collection, Buckler. This season we're even bigger fans of this rock-god staple with their bold color palette and drop-waist belt loops. And, as if we need to remind you, Bartek, stole the show with the fence-link hoodie and white denims.

Rock & Republic SS08

Sadly after much hubbub at Rag & Bone and Vena Cava, we just missed the Rock & Republic presentation at Eyebeam Studios. Thankfully our good friends sent us post-event photos so we can bring the latest to you!

Ashlee Simpson & Pete Wentz, Nick Cannon, Gina Gershon, and Siouysie Sioux were all in attendance. We're sure they were loving the '70s inspired jumpsuits and highwaist shorts in clean, Spring-friendly, lighter washes as much as we are.

Our new favorite model

After making the rounds all week, we have a new face to admire. Look for more of him to come in our fashion week coverage from Levi's and Buckler.

Bartek from Elite

Warhol Facotry X Damien Hirst X Levi's presentation

First we were in awe of all the downtown notables in the crowd. Vincent Gallo, Casey Spooner, Larry Clark, Waris, DJs Andrew Andrew, Miss Guy, Kim Hastreiter, and Dani Stahl were all there and the creme de la creme, MK Olsen was only a runway's width across from us. Then we were blown away by Levi's latest collection.

Given the vague description of the collection sent to press earlier, we were leery of crystal skulls embellishing denim. But, king of the skulls, Damien Hirst, saved the day. The collection beautifully incorporated Hirst signatures such as the crystal skulls, rainbow dots, and knives. Even more exciting was the unisex skinny collection and the bondage styles. Our favorite pieces were the skinny bondage pant and moto jumpsuits. Oh, and of course our top model of the season.

Five Questions for Five Pockets: Thomas Onorato and Max Wixom, OW! PR

Many of you know Thomas Onorato from his hugely popular book, Confessions from the Velvet Ropes as well begging to get past his guestlist at parties such as MisShapes and Motherf*cker. What you don't know is that Thomas and his business partner, Max Wixom, have started OW! PR, and work with some of the largest names in the fashion an entertainment industries. Mercedes-Benz? They've done it. Hermes? Check. Derek Lam? We were there with them this season.

So, what do two of the most important tastemakers wear most often? Jeans of course! In the middle of the fashion week hustle, Thomas and Max took a time out to bring you this week's Five Questions for Five Pockets.

1. What was your first pair of jeans?
Thomas: Lee jeans when I was four which I got with my mom, Toni, at Bradlee's in Bloomfield, NJ.

Max: Either Levi's or Calvin Klein jeans in the '80s.

2. Who do you think is the ultimate denim icon?
Thomas: Talitha Getty, the first "it" girl to put a dress over skinny jeans back in the '70s and the Ramones. You don't get more iconic than that.

Max: Brooke Shields. I was really into that campaign [for CK] when I was growing up on an island in the middle of the Pacific.

3. What are your current favorite jeans?
Thomas: Ksubi, Trash & Vaudeville, Paper Denim, and Cheap Monday

Max: I'm enjoying Levi's Capitol E series and I'm kind of a sucker for the occasional H&M as they're cut very well for my body.

4. What denim trend do you wish would go away?
Thomas: Overtly tricked out, treated, weathered, or dyed denim jeans. Gag me, please!

Max: Color nonsense and tricked out shenanigans

5. What's your number one rule for denim?
Thomas: Simple and worn-in is always the best look.

Max: Never go shopping for it without my business partner, Thomas. 

Repetto opening at Earnest Sewn

Topping our Wednesday night was a stop at An Earnest Cut & Sew's flagship store in the Meatpacking district. Last night's event celebrated the launch of Repetto's first US retail outlet. Hosted by Julia Restoin-Roitfeld, Waris, and Jessica Stam, the event was attended by fashion's most well-known faces. Cutie patooties, Cory Kennedy and Mark Hunter were there, as were Tinsley Mortimer and Derek Blasberg.

The pics above (excuse our amateur photog skills) are of the installation created for the gallery space, as well as a few of the offerings exclusive to the Earnest Sewn pop-up.

Rag & Bone SS08

Yesterday we hit up one of our favorite design teams, Rag & Bone, at Cipriani. Other than eye candy like Kate Bosworth, Jamie Burke, Mya, and Amanda Peet, we saw fashion heavy hitters like Cathy Horyn, Dani Stahl (congrats on the position!), and Grace Coddington as well as our favorite photog, Scott Schuman.

The men's collection took a cue from Thom Browne with cropped hemlines in khaki hues with accents of blue. Always a collection of updated classics, our favorite pieces were the coated cotton windbreakers that looked as if they were made from the most lightweight leather imaginable.

For women's, the menswear inspired pieces followed the same neutral color palette with highlights in blue seersucker. Our top look was the black bikini topped with a coated cotton mac--much more beach chic than neon florals and pareros.

Photos: SOURCE

Repetto pop-up store at Earnest Sewn

We can't wait to hit the Earnest Sewn event tonight, celebrating the launch of the Repetto pop-up store in their Meatpacking District flagship. This will be the first US retail initiative for the French label with Earnest Sewn featuring over 70 styles in 350 finishes in their gallery space.

Among the pieces available will be a one-of-kind Repetto Zizi jazz shoe customized by Scott Morrison, president and designer of Earnest Sewn as well as a number of celebrity-customized styles. To coordinate with the upcoming "Greencaste" collection, a line of organic products from Earnest Sewn, will be a limited run of Zizi and BB styles in organic canvas.

Check back tomorrow for more info. and a report from tonight's launch event.

NYLON GUYS does Denim Days

Sorry for the delay!

Sorry for being absent the last few days. On top of the holiday weekend, we relocated and are just now digging ourselves out of the boxes and paint splatters.

Coming up this week: Five Questions for Five Pockets took a holiday vacay yesterday, but be sure to look for coverage from Earnest Sewn's Repetto opening, Alexander Wang, Rag & Bone, and many others. Not to mention some party shots.

If you're in NYC and have something you want us to check out, drop us a note in a comment or at denimhunt@gmail.com