There’s a certain amount of nose wrinkling that denim attracts (even when freshly laundered). While high-end brands like 7 for All Mankind, J Brand, Hudson, etc. have managed to take it higher in the fashion hierarchy with their celebrity clientele, it still remains an aspect of “off-duty” style spotted on stars and starlets roaming the streets of London and Manhattan in Uggs, Starbucks in hand.
The Spring/ Summer 2013 shows have dusted this versatile fabric and sent it out before wary eyes. And there might be many converts.
Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel cheekily sent out a denim skirt dress on model of the season Cara Delevingne — red pocket square peeping out of the front pocket, the leather belt studded with pearls. (In drawing interest, second only to the hula hoop bags that the show featured.)
Balmain, where the shoulders got broader this season, included denim jackets, trousers and bustiers.
Anna Sui, showing in New York, used denim as a contrast to wispy florals, in the form of denim shirts and tunics paired with printed dresses and fishnet leggings, respectively.
At Ashish, the designer’s signature sequins appeared alongside dual-tone jeans and denim-panelled skirts. Sophie Albou threw denim parkas on silver dresses, while Marc by Marc Jacobs saw denim shirts as an extension of the lived-in cool he introduced through gingham checks, scarf headpieces and sandals on socks.
