Denim brands showcased Fall ’19 collections at Project Las Vegas this week, offering consumers a breadth of styles for work and play.
Stretch fabrications, dusty shades of taupe and grey denim and winterized dark indigo chambray shirts are key items for Agave Denim for fall. The men’s brand is also seeing interest in five-pocket styles in non-denim novelty fabrics, particularly styles with a laser print like plaid. Agave is also building its line of Teflon-coated merino wool sweaters that repel water and spills.
Men’s brand 34 Heritage is seeing buzz build around five-pocket bottoms in “fancy” fabrics like soft twills, and knit bottoms made with the brand’s 9 oz. stretch and cotton blend have a technical feel, enhanced by hidden zipper back pockets. For denim, 34 Heritage stays focused on clean looks with tonal stitching.
For Parasuco Jeans, on the other hand, more is more. Velvet finishes, paint splatter, distressing and denim coated with a nylon finish were among the Canadian brand’s streetwear-driven collection. The brand is also continuing to update styles with its patented clip jean, a style of jeans with three metal clips securing the fly.
Calvin Klein Jeans, which is in the midst of a post-Raf Simons restructuring, is relying on jeans with logo side taping and distressed denim jackets to anchor its fall collection. The denim pieces are supported by a robust line-up of branded sweatshirts and sweatpants for a denim-meets-athleisure look.
BLDWN, formerly known as Baldwin, rolled out its first complete collection under the company’s new direction. The brand is stepping away from its premium denim roots to become a lifestyle brand based on classic sportswear with a premium twist. “We want to challenge how consumers look at modern American fashion,” BLDWN sales rep Diego Dominguez, said.
Core denim pieces remain in the BLDWN collection, but the excitement in the men’s collection comes from statement pieces inspired by the 1960s and the decade’s music subcultures. A men’s classic peacoat is updated with a longer, slouchier silhouette; T-shirts are elevated with wool and cotton blends. A functional Italian water resistant jacket feels new in a vibrant shade of cobalt blue.
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Authentic denim is where Raleigh Denim excels. The brand, which historically sourced its fabrics from Cone’s now defunct White Oak mill in Greensboro, N.C., is being forced to think outside the box for fabrics, which founder Victor Lytvinenko said is a blessing in disguise.
The brand is seeing momentum behind novelty fabrics. “It’s driving us to crack open the shell,” Lytvinenko said, noting that the brand is working with Japanese suppliers to develop fabrics with more textures and heavier weights. Additionally, the brand is adding to its color denim story, adding twill and canvas variations.
Mavi’s collection for men introduces green or grey camouflage cargo pants, brushed cotton jeans with a cashmere touch and a heap of autumnal color denim. Knits fill the demand for athleisure items, while Mavi’s premium “white edge” fabrics speak to male consumers who seek a more traditional denim experience.
Bold leopard, camouflage and tonal snake prints are among the novelty items in Mavi’s collection for women. Jean jackets with Sherpa hoods, shirt-jacket hybrids and long belted jackets are among the ways the brand is updating its jean jacket business. For bottoms, Mavi is better on flare silhouettes, high-rise jeans with exposed buttons and coated styles with a leather appearance.
For Lucky Brand, newness in the women’s collection focused on leg shapes. Interest in skinny, baby boot cut and baby flares, along with hem treatments, are allowing the brand to expand its denim range. Meanwhile, the men’s line rests in comfort stretch fabrications. Logo-mania is having a positive effect for the company, too, with retailers asking for more of the brand’s signature clover.
Kut From the Kloth is all about fashion pieces for fall. The women’s brand is playing with corduroy, side taping, camouflage and seaming details to give women more reasons to replenish their denim wardrobe. Wide leg gaucho jean and kick flares adds variety. A super soft interpretation of a denim chore jacket and a jean jacket with a pink faux curly collar adds a sense of coziness to the collection.
Jewel tones, accents of faux fur and suede/denim combinations add richness to DL1961’s women’s line. The collection juxtaposes utility-inspired items like denim anoraks, jumpsuits and cords, with fashion items, including velvet flares with a front slit, waistbands with delicate drawstrings that tie in the back, and indigo color blocking. Rounded retro pocket shapes, seaming details and soft coatings add interest.