Juicy Couture

Fashion maven Kendall could easily be called a “Jean Queen.” With over a dozen pair of jeans in her closet that she swears she truly does wear, she keeps an eagle eye out for the next item to join her beloved collection. “There really is a jean for every occasion,” asserts Kendall. “Or is that an occasion for every jean?”

And while Kendall’s penchant for denim may sound as if it borders on the extreme, her denim quests are shared by nearly one in two women, according to the Cotton Incorporated Lifestyle Monitor™. Forty-eight percent of women confided to the Monitor that they don’t need any more denim, but would likely buy one or two new items. An additional 26% said they would probably buy several items.

Well, it looks as if the majority is in luck. There are a bevy of new styles and collections slated for the coming seasons that promise to tempt and engage the denim loving population.

“It’s simple. If you’re going to spend the money and buy new jeans, they’re going to have to be special,” declares Stacey Bendet, designer and co-owner of Alice and Olivia, a two-year-old fashion collection that just launched a denim line in spring 2003. Bendet sees a large movement in novelty denim, which will serve to woo the masses.

Pay key attention to the waistband, says Bendet. “This spring and summer, there are ribbon and accented waistbands. For fall, look for leather. Keep an eye out for some slight embellishment in the form of grommets. At Alice and Olivia, we added some corsetting at the waistband, which is a very feminine look. It’s about slight but important details that update the jean.”

It’s most definitely about the details, echo the designers behind uber-brand Juicy Couture. “Coming up for fall 2003, Juicy Couture focuses on fun, intricate detailing and novelty jeans. Zipper, ribbon and back pocket detailing are other highlights of our denim line,” shares Pamela Skaist-Levy. Her partner, Gela Taylor adds, “Pam and I have created a full line of denim including amazing new shapes and unique detailing from stretch to rigid denim.” And look for that waistline to have definition this fall, offers Lynn Cohen, owner of Runway Boutique in the Flatiron district of Manhattan. And when asked about which denim silhouette will make its mark in the coming months, she replies, “Those with a fitted waist.” And with regard to that waist, just where will the rise be resting? “A little bit higher than we’ve been seeing in past seasons,” Cohen predicts. “Women will have the options to tuck their tops in or out.” And working downward, Cohen also adds that shoppers can look forward to “a narrower leg, a little more stovepipe than flare.” Read more...