Since its first appearance in fashion all the way back in 1873, denim has undergone massive transformations, while remaining a wardrobe staple season after season. Transcending various eras of fashion, denim has long been known for its durability and functionality. It has long been seen as one of the go-to materials for well established brands; and recently,. with the reinvention of how consumers buy and wear denim, it has increasingly been reworked to incorporate new technology, ingenious styles and form-fitting cuts.

For the recent Spring/Summer 2014 runway shows, denim was seen across every major fashion capital, with rising trends such as sports luxe, streetwear and patchwork denim taking center stage. Acclaimed designers such as Acne, Alexander McQueen and Chloé have been on the forefront of creating innovative denim styles for womenswear, and most recently have produced key denim pieces for the upcoming SS ’14 season. Here, FAULT take a look at some of our favourite looks:

Acne:

Referencing workwear and his childhood experiences of living by the water, Acne’s creative director, Jonny Johansson, took a subtle and minimalistic approach to denim in the brand’s most recent collection. Echoing the wide-leg trousers of the seventies, to the patchwork denim vests of the nineties, Acne’s Spring/Summer 2014 line is reminiscent of the rugged and gritty sartorial choices of blue collar workers. While the sports luxe trends seems to be omnipresent throughout the collection, the brand remained true to nature by using raw and natural fibers for the overall sustainability of their products. Additionally, by presenting the denim pieces with splashes of color, the brand showcases denim’s interchangeability with various colors and styles.

Alexander McQueen:

In Alexander McQueen‘s ready to wear line, McQ, the brand remixes some old classics. Evoking street wear throughout the entire collection, the brands takes traditional masculine garments and presents them with subtle feminine twist, which can be seen in the tailoring. Princess seams on the denim dress accentuate the female form, while the high waisted jean takes work wear and streetwear influence by the use of raw indigo denim. Taking a cue from the impending weather shift, the denim dress and denim high waisted jeans in the collection serve as a way a two way street to dress up or down on a warm spring or summer day.

J Brand:

Giving jeggings a run for their money, J Brand has revolutionized the fit of one of their well known silhouettes by implementing forward-thinking technology for their new stocking jean. In their own words, “the stocking jean fits like a stocking yet looks like a jean,” since it features modern stretch technology to fit the body of its wearer. Coming in classic colors such as blue and black, the stocking jean is suitable for a myriad of customers looking for comfortable and form-fitting denim.

 

Words: Shammara Lawrence; images courtesy of insdividual labels