NYDJ’s latest water-conscious denim collection promises to stay bluer, longer.
The Vernon, Calif. denim brand has released IndigoLast, a collection of deep blue denim made with water-conserving processes that offer a lower environmental impact than traditional denim.
IndigoLast’s first wash, Endless Blue, is a medium-dark indigo hue that complements the brand’s BlackLast and BlueLast lines. According to NYDJ, shoppers have been asking for a jean with lasting color intensity—a look that is achieved through an innovative indigo application process.
The secret is the makeup of the denim fabric itself. Milled by Cone Denim, IndigoLast achieves its color from a blend of navy fiber-dyed Tencel Modal (41 percent) and navy Repreve (52 percent), a recycled polyester derived from plastic waste.
The combination of cellulosic and synthetic fibers (mixed with 2 percent Lycra and 5 percent polyester) yields a yarn with fade-resistant properties, which also requires 64 percent less water to process and fewer chemicals during the dyeing process. Overall, NYDJ said the fabric is estimated to have a 50 percent to 60 percent lower environmental impact that conventionally dyed denim.
With a high stretch composition and high recovery, the heavy-weight fabric is flattering and forgiving, but won’t bag out after wearing, according to NYDJ. Cone Denim characterized the fabric as a “sportswear-denim hybrid” that is “versatile across fits and sizes.”
“This classic fit can do no wrong,” a company spokesperson told Rivet, noting that the first construction in the line is an “easy, figure-elongating” silhouette dubbed the Marilyn straight jean. The straight leg lends versatility to the style, while NYDJ’s Lift Tuck technology—a proprietary slimming panel with a patented criss-cross design—helps with shaping and support. The jean has a classic five-pocket construction and a zip fly with button closure.
IndigoLast is the third collection in the brand’s environmentally preferred portfolio, which launched in 2020 with the BlackLast and BlueLast collections, which are also made with water-saving processes. In August, the brand launched a nine-piece line of complementary footwear styles, from sneakers to slides, loafers and block-heel sandals in suede, leather and novelty fabrications—including BlackLast denim.
Spring 2022 saw the launch of the “Better Fit. Better for the Planet” line of jeans and T-shirts made from organic cotton, recycled fibers and responsible production processes. Jeans in the collection are finished using Ozone, a process that replaces bleaching with ozone gas and saves saves 83 percent of the water, 39 percent of the chemicals and 14 percent of the energy consumed during standard finishing processes.
At the time of the March launch, NYDJ said it aimed to see its apparel and footwear assortments become at least 20 percent sustainable by the end of 2022, and 50 percent sustainable by the end of 2023.