A Decade of Denim

The past 10 years redefined the designer denim industry. Many premium jean lines launched and below is my top 10 list by launch date:

1. 7 For All Mankind: launched in Los Angeles during the fall of 2000 which forever changed the premium denim market. The brand, famously dubbed “Sevens” quickly earned critical acclaim for their innovative use of fits, fabrics, and finishes in denim and have become an instant favorite among Hollywood celebrities.

2. Joe's Jeans: established in 2001 and is recognized for its quality, fit and fashion-forward designs. Seen on many celebrities including Katie Holmes, Jessica Alba and more, their style called “Muse” and “Provocateur” were among their most popular as well as their jean leggings, dubbed “jeggings.”

3. Ed Hardy clothing was established in 2002 primarily based on art work and design from the gifted tattoo artist. Their colorful signature brings new life and imagination to the denim industry.

4. Rock & Republic: the international, lifestyle brand rocked the premium denim jeans world in 2002. Its luxurious, yet edgy approach to fashion is lead by CEO and Creative Director Michael Ball. R&R continues to redefine boundaries in the fashion industry.

5. Hudson: launched in 2002, inspired by the doctrine that the right pair of jeans should be stunningly sexy and lavishly comfortable while naturally complimenting individuality and style sense.

6. CITIZENS of HUMANITY: was founded by Jerome Dahan in 2003. Dahan previously lead the design team for Lucky Brand, and was one of the co-founders of 7 For All Mankind. Known for its vintage look and high quality, “Sevens” are designed to eliminate the notorious peek-a-boo back effect common with most low-risers.

7. True Religion: Jeffrey Lubell founded True Religion in 2002 with the intention of redefining premium denim. His vision was to make quality, American-made, authentic, timeless, great fitting, 1970’s inspired jeans wear, with a trendsetting appeal for today’s consumer. “True Religion is and always will be Timeless, Hippie, Bohemian, Chic.”

8. Paige Premium Denim: founded in 2004 by Paige Adams-Geller. Paige denim was built on the principle that you don’t have to be a size zero to look great and feel great in a pair of designer jeans.

9. James Jeans: established in 2004 by designer, Seun Lim. Known for their Dry Aged Denim, Lim creates jeans that every woman dreams of.

10. J Brand launched as an exclusive at Ron Herman’s Melrose jeans bar in the spring of 2005. The brand had immediate success, and J Brand’s introduction of their skinny straight leg made them the first to produce American-made premium jeans to drive this trend.

Others worthy of mention!

Earnest Sewn is a denim brand which mixes the Japanese beauty aesthetic of Wabi-Sabi, with denim's Americana past. Designed and launched by the former co-founder/designer of Paper Denim & Cloth, Scott Morrison, Earnest Sewn hit the denim world in 2005. Laguna Beach Jean Company washed up on the shores of Orange County in November of 2007. Also in 2007, Not Your Daughter’s Jeans took on the denim world boasting their tummy tuck attributes and real comfort for those obviously old enough to have a daughter!

Which brand is your favorite?
Happy New Year from Jean X and myXjeans!

Jean X ponders over photographer Richard Avedon

I had the pleasure of visiting the Detroit Institute of Arts this past week and strolled through a collection of photos which were actually a small sampling of Richard Avedon’s work. This exhibit took patrons back to a very different time in the world of fashion. In his early years, it was all about glamour. Post- World War II, the young Avedon’s work was fresh and even rejuvenated the Paris fashion market. Dior lead the way with its fitted waistlines and gorgeous draping. Avedon was a trendsetter himself, being one of the first high-profile fashion photographers to use multi-racial models. There were playful photos with Audrey Hepburn in the 1950’s and Twiggy and Barbara Streisand in the 60’s. These were the photos which intrigued me the most, since they were the faces and style from my childhood. His later work was beautiful yet raw, including portraits of “real” people from the American West and a stunning image of a man who was a victim of nuclear fallout. I started looking at more of his work and came upon a photo of Avedon from the 1980’s where he was simply wearing jeans and a black shirt. Richard Avedon passed away in 2004 and I couldn’t help wondering if he were alive today, which brand jeans would he wear? I thought perhaps Citizens of Humanity?

Find True Religion for Christmas

It’s the start of Christmas week. Most of the kids are out of school and the crazy last minute shopping has commenced. While you’re here at myXjeans.com, you can grab something great for every member of the family and still have enough left over for you.

I thought since it is that time of the year, the one brand that stands out the most is True Religion. True Religion is the most searched brand of jeans on the Internet. With their attention to detail and exceptional embroidery, perhaps it's time to be True to yourself. Discover the perfect fit and relish in their hand sanded vintage washes. C’mon, you deserve a present too. Browse now, to find True Religion or many other premium jeans. Merry Christmas! XOXO Jean X.

Jean X gets the Skinny in the Windy City

Isn’t there a recession going on? myXjeans.com is still the best place to shop for your favorite brands at an awesome price, but the stores in Chicago were mobbed. I had to wait in a line to get on the escalator!

Even though there were plenty of flares to be had on the racks and folded neatly in the walls, the skinny is that skinny jeans are everywhere. I was toting around in my well-worn flares and felt so last year.

So, how do you do skinny? Almost every brand has a skinny and in most cases they come in a variety of colors, finishes and embellishments. Glamour magazine has a great article called
“9 Ways to Dress up your Jeans.” Remember, you can “glam” out skinny jeans with stilettos, a tank with lots of bling and the perfect jacket.

The holiday season is in full swing. There are lots of parties and if your invitation doesn’t specify dressy, grab your favorite jeans or treat yourself to a new pair from myXjeans and dress them up! You’ll be comfortable and look fabulous! Enjoy- tis the season….

I’m getting ready to jet across the pond to Chicago! I love flying somewhere that actually takes less than 5 minutes! While you ponder that, I’m going to tell you what’s new at myXjeans!

Our listings are coming in fast and furious! We’re looking forward to our 100th listing which should be any day now. Perhaps our 100th listing will be a pair of Lucky Jeans- size 7 of course, but whichever pair it is, we’re going to make a really big deal about it.

This week, some new items that have hit our racks include: Banana Republic, Von Dutch, Hudson and Paige. If a pair of size 10 Sevens come through, those are mine!

So, why Chicago? I’m going for a holiday party- one of those dinner cruises. I have a feeling it’s going to be freezing! Today’s plan is to shop for a warm coat. We are required to wear cocktail attire for dinner, but after that, I will be in jeans for the rest of the weekend. I am so excited to see what’s fashionable on Michigan Avenue and will report the Chi-town jean sightings.

Check out our listings or list something you no longer love-
It's the most wonderful time of the year! Shop for denim gifts!

xxxx
Jean X

On average, every American owns 7 pairs of wearable jeans

Of course we all have wearable jeans, but do we like them? I have at least seven pairs and wear two. Imagine owning seven pairs of jeans that fit and make you look great! Well, you can. List and sell the jeans you no longer love on myXjeans.com. Someone else out there will love what you have and might just be selling what you want! Don’t be fearful about buying jeans online. The beauty of myXjeans is that many of our sellers will accept returns.

Now for my dream sequence! It was if I had fallen asleep in early 2001, 6 years after leaving the fashion industry and woke up to hundreds of new brands that cost a lot more money. It’s all about fit. Everyone wears them and knows which brand fits them best. Not just teenagers or models, but middle-aged people- men and women.

Jean X takes on her own personal denim challenge

There’s an attitude and style that comes from wearing each pair of jeans. The new designers are bold, wearable and more sophisticated than their earlier counterparts from decades past. If a note came tucked in the back pocket with a secret, it would say: “You are now wearing X brand jeans, walk the walk, sit and talk, be who you really are.” True Religion, 7 for all Mankind, Citizens of Humanity, Lucky. myXjeans will promote them all and at a fraction of the retail price! Welcome to myXjeans.com, I’m Jean X, ready to cover the bases and the curves!

This holiday season, I'm determined to lose the jeans of Christmas past, visit my favorite stores and try on as many brands as I can. I’ll talk about fit, feel and transformation. My 7 year old is going to help me. She’ll tell me if my butt looks big! Yes, we’ll take photos! So, for now, get shopping. There are serious bargains to be had at myXjeans! Enjoy and remember to share this with friends and family.