Source: The Cut

The L.A.-based denim gurus (and identical twins) Chip and Pepper Foster launch Mill Iron this fall, an affordable denim collection exclusively for the Buckle retail chain. Mill Iron men's jeans retail for $98 to $111 (Chip & Pepper denim regularly retails for $180 and up). The initial jeans offerings include the "Sunraider" (relaxed leg button-fly) and the "Rally" (five-pocket straight leg).

“The $100 price point for a premium jean is, I think, a magic number,” said Chip Foster. “The way the economy is, people are looking for quality and price.”

After The Buckle’s exclusive one-season deal ends, the Fosters plan to expand distribution of Mill Iron selectively to their network of retailers, including Fred Segal, Bloomingdale’s and Atrium. A women's Mill Iron collection is set to debut later this year.

I can definitely appreciate designers like these adjusting to the economic times.

Source: LA Times

Cookie Johnson, wife of retired basketball star and entrepreneur, Magic Johnson has launched her own business. That's right! A denim line, named CJ by Cookie Johnson which caters to the curvy while providing some style.

And folks, this is no She by Sheree venture (for my Real Housewives of Atlanta fans). Cookie, a graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in Retailing of Clothing and Textiles, is collaborating with Michael Glasser as a partner, the man behind denim brand staples such as Seven for all Mankind, Citizens of Humanity, and current owner of Rich & Skinny. Nice!

CJ by Cookie Johnson debuted with an all-star line-up of styles - boot cut, straight leg, boyfriend, high-waist, and legging. At a price point of $145-$198, the line is available in sizes 24-38. The line has debuted at Nordstrom for summer, with a debut at Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale's set for September.

With Cookie's educational background, celebrity, and premium denim guru Michael Glasser, there really is no reason for this line to be anything short of great. Having a business tycoon as a husband won't hurt either.

Cookie is definitely one smart cookie.

The designers of the popular denim brand Current/Elliott, known for their distressed denim styles, are introducing a new line for the fall - Deadstock.

Inspired by the by vintage deadstock jeans from the 50s, 60s, and 70s, the look of this line reflects that - stiff denim, bad fits, and all. "[Real] deadstock is a little stiff and sometimes not as flattering on the body," said Elliott. "We cheated a bit."

Deadstock will hit 80 stores, including Neiman Marcus, in July. The women’s collection consists of 10 styles, including skinny, wide-legged and, of course, Current/Elliott’s ubersuccessful boyfriend versions, while the men’s range has six styles. All are made from Japanese denim and are available in three washes: One Wash (dark), Indigo (classic) and the faded True Blue. While Deadstock doesn’t have the same look as the main collection, it has the same supersoft feel.














Well guys, I don't see myself buying this one...


Source: WWD

This spring, Rock & Republic introduced a limited collection appropriately named the Recession Collection. The styles were more classic with fewer embellishments and retailed for less than 22% of their core line. This fall, they will be introducing a spin-off of the spin-off, named Plain Wrap.

Plain Wrap, a collection of jeans, hoodies, leggings, shoes, etc in a basic palette of black, white and blue, can be identified by its branding. The branding is actually the name of the item, rather than the Rock & Republic logo. That's right! The jeans are emblazoned with "JEANS", leggings with "LEGGINGS," and stilletos with "STILLETOS"...seriously! The line will retail for $36-$198.

The goal is to target younger consumers as well as adjust to the state of the economy, but I'm wondering what item the $198 price tag will be attached to...that's not a very recession-friendly price for any of these articles of clothing...

You will be able to find Plain Wrap at Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, Rock & Republic's website, and its freestanding stores in Las Vegas and Los Angeles.






I actually DO like the sneakers LOL!

Source: WWD

Chris Gilbert, co founder of Paper Denim & Cloth, is launching a new denim line, Resin Denim, which will launch for limited distribution this fall. The line will be in the $150 price range, and from the images in their lookbook, the line is going to be HOT. A seemingly great fit AND great washes. I wasn't a big PDC fan, but I'm pretty sure I will be all over the Resins!