Street Chic – Cult Denim
These days, you can hardly be too discerning about your denim. From the hardworking workmen fabric of choice from decades ago, denim has been elevated to the very peak of style. According to a particular Swedish denim label, it is literally a ‘matter of life and denim’. Considering the gravity of the situation, it may be wise to reconsider your jeans and give them more serious thought. To lure you away from the ubiquitous Levi’s, here are a few cult brands that denim aficionados swear by. Before long, you should be die-hard fans as well.
Svensson Jeans
There will be few denim labels with roots as indie as Svensson Jeans (shown above). It started out as a small collective from the basement clubs of the bohemian parts of Malmö, Sweden, producing assignments in photography, journalism and graphic design. 3 years after founding the cutting edge Svensson Magazine, the first pair of Svensson jeans was developed. The brand’s philosophy is based on the inspirational values of impulse and gut feeling while their designs are meant to be enduring and timeless. Other than a small but strong following in its native city, the label has also won over a significant number of international fans.
Sugar Cane Jeans
Forget your regular cotton denim – these Japanese jeans are made from sugar cane! Constructed of fibres from the sugar cane plant, this eco-friendly, sweet (pun intended) fabric was once a tightly guarded Japanese secret. Hand-dyed in Japan with local or Hawaiian indigo, each pair of Sugar Cane jeans displays remarkable craftsmanship that is the result of almost 20 years of research. The brand’s designs are modeled on vintage denim from 50 to 100 years ago and remain faithful to the original designs from the weave of the fabric to the components. With such meticulous attention to details, these jeans are not only well-made but also form a carefully reproduced slice of fashion history.
7 For All Mankind
Hailing from Los Angeles, California, 7 For All Mankind is one of the pioneers and market leaders of premium denim. Having earned much praise for its innovative use of fits, fabrics and finishes, their jeans have become a staple in many Hollywood A-listers’ wardrobes, including Angelina Jolie, Cameron Diaz and Jake Gyllenhaal. 7 For All Mankind is also known for its high profile collaborations with fashion houses like Zac Posen, Azzedine Alaia and Pucci. If you have a taste for the glamourous, these are the jeans for you.
Sugar Cane Jeans retails from SGD299 to SGD339, while Svensson Jeans are priced from SGD169 onwards. Both labels can be found at The Denim Store (#03-09/10/11, Mandarin Gallery). You can find 7 For All Mankind at Bread and Butter (#01-10/#02-11, Mandarin Gallery) for SGD400 to SGD600
