A Whiter Shade of Pale

October 23, 2017 Jill Lawrence

White denim is hot hot hot for summer. It need not be just white. Take blue out of white with edge spray, or white out of blue with 3D edge effects.

Sculpted clean cuts give white denim a different attitude. Not always relaxed, ripped, repaired and degraded - rigid white denims can be crisp and clean for summer in the city chic.

Ripping, repairing and playing with white coatings lend dimension and interest to an otherwise bland white twill surface. Use the white jean as a canvas for self expression.

Composite Image ©TheDenimEye L-R: ©PRPS ©XIMONLEE ©Zara

Pigment white spray onto indigo - highlight the edges and question the body- is it blue? is it grey? is it white? Whatever it is it adds attitude and intrigue.

Forever White

February 27, 2017 Jill Lawrence

Pure head to toe white - a look that many find hard to pull off. But in jeanswear it is fresh and less demanding of pristine purity. The textured nature of denim creates shadows, character and a certain relaxed imperfection.

Fashion shapes in white denim outlined with black stitching. Just a touch of black to highlight or matt chrome for accessories. White alone is pure and sculptural demanding perfection of shape. It is crisply tailored or softly moulded. In this case it is a positive "colour"with an architectural shape albeit being colourless white.

Trend Alert: Forever Black, Forever White

February 2, 2017 Jill Lawrence

Monochromatic jeans-wear exhibits drama with chic style. A counterpoint to "the Blues". Black and white both together and independently as white on white and black on black are a strong statement. This is the tough yet soft denim twill we love catapulted into urban fashion. No need to be in a classic 5 pocket, any style both stretch and rigid works for us. Neither colour has the wash down charm of indigo denim but with new technology we can fake the degradation creating a non colour worn out attitude. Both black and white however, are best used clean as pure bleached white or dense clear black black.

A soupçon of stretch aids comfort and more elasticity creates super fit and form just as with the blues. They both demonstrate subtle character, drinking in the warp slubs to create a natural surface texture. Black denim and white denim have serious attitude - neither is basic. Think back to "On The Waterfront" and "Blade Runner" where we think black and the black and white movies that were visually so compelling.

L: ©Nicholas K C: © The Black Leather Jacket

Black black is a term for both the denim and the head to toe look. The denim is black warp with black weft or black over dyed black. Creating a look that is fathom deep and dense. Whichever way it is achieved the look must be a clean clear black without a hint of a tint. Just bright and clear. And of course it must work seamlessly with other blacks - black leather, silk, suede, wool and more.

Black and white used together for super graphic drama.

Imagine in denim - Wow!

Black and white always looks modern whichever colour is dominant. Remember Marimeko whose prints still look amazing today. Black and white being devoid of all colour demands you see the form and shape more clearly.

L-R: © Julian David, ©Diesel Black Gold, ©Messagerie

Why do we want to wear black denim jeans to an "occasion" instead of smart black ordinary pants? Because they are more than ordinary. They have attitude - with a rolled cuff, a prominent side seam, a perfect 5 pocketed fit and a super leg shape, all due to the inherent qualities of denim. Why wouldn't you?