Blue Jeans Exhibit at Centraal

How much do you love your jeans?  The fashion staple started as work wear in the 17th century and evolved into a high-fashion must-have in the 20th century.  Centraal Museum in the Netherlands pays tribute to history of denim and the designers that have made jeans a fashion icon.

The exhibit includes some of the first jeans from Levi's as well as designs from Chanel, Martin Margiela and scores of other fashion heavyweights.  You can explore how traditional methods of processing jeans has been destroying the environment and the sustainable materials or eco-friendly techniques that are available today.

I worked in denim for Nautica Jeans for several years, from development to when it landed in the stores.  What many people don't realize, is that the more expensive the jeans, the less they will last.  Why?  The costs of the jeans is related to how many processes have been done to the once pristine garment.  Those soft, artfully dyed, or abrasions are all individual steps.  Jeans can be dyed multiple times with different washes to achieve a certain texture.  Holes, shredding, imprints are hand done.  The cost of a $500 pair of jeans is a result of a long process of destruction.  Ironic isn't it?

I don't know of any singular item, especially a casual clothing item that elicits more love and loyalty from its owner.  Finally, a museum in the Netherlands is giving proper tribute to it!  

Blue Jeans Exhibit at the Centraal Museum runs until March 10, 2013.
image from Centraal Museum

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Levi's Spring 2012 Jeans

Your favorite jeans. Everyone has a pair. You can dressed up, glam, blinged, but at the end of the day what do you slip into?  Levi's showed their offerings Spring 2012 at a party on the West Side of Manhattan.  Edgy installations of bicycles, canoe and garden vignettes, showed off new looks for the season.

Ethically produced and environmentally sensitive production methods were highlighted.  A huge platform of jeans were shown to demonstrate a wash process that used less water.  The caterer to the event used local organic farms to further reduce the carbon footprint.

Levi's Curve ID was also shown.  This group aims to fit your booty perfectly through better measurement and shape assessment.  I have to say my best fitting jeans DID come from this line after being measured by the staff at their Soho store.

Besides jeans, there was a cotton casual dress collection shown on a faux grassy lawn complete with picket fence.  They were fun, breezy frocks that I imagined most of America would want to wear.

Levi's demonstrated why they are the leading denim company for this country.  They're innovators in technology, production and fit.  Now if only I could more jeans into my damn closet...

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Levi's Curve ID Jeans Launch

Prestige denim brands have come and gone, but what we women really want is great fit at a reasonable price tag.

The Ms. FABulous crew went to the launch of the Levi’s Curve ID launch Thursday.  Their new collection of jeans are about your customized shape, not size.   The staff at the Soho store was on hand to measure everyone to determine their Curve ID.

What does that mean?  Curve ID was based on three universal body types.  I, not being your perfect ‘fashionista’ body type, fell into the "Slight Curve" fit.  This is for women whose jeans tend to be too tight in the waist.  This fit defined the waist, slimmed my hips and avoided the dreaded squeezed 'muffin top' look.

For the gal whose waist fits but doesn't flatter in most jeans, try the Demi Curve fit.   For the woman whose jeans gap in the back at the waist, there is the "Bold Curve" fit.

Fit expert, Kris Tulin demonstrated the proper way to find your fit.  Instead of relying on the number on your label, you need to look at the relationship between your natural waist, high hip, low hip and overall shape.  This is where aesthetic design takes a backseat to the art of technical design.  

The Ms. FAB team were measured by the experts at Levis and given a choice of styles, then sent to the fitting room.  Bloggers and editors were treated to cupcakes, cocktails and their own pair of jeans as they tried to find a good match for their body (booty) size.

It fit! Wow. It took 5 minutes to try two recommended pairs and both were winners.

The prices for the jeans we tried were an accessible $59-$69. You leave feeling pretty damn euphoric that you can enjoy summer in the city rather than crying in the dressing room.

To fit YOUR booty, and snag a pair of free jeans yourself, come to Bryant Park in Midtown NYC on Friday, August 27th for their big party.  Janelle Monae will be performing and you can get rid of your old, ill-fitting jeans to Goodwill.  

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