Archive for March, 2006

Brad Pitt’s Edwin Jeans versus Levi Jeans

Saturday, March 4th, 2006

Brad Pitt's Edwin Jeans versus Levi JeansThe fashion rumor-mill is rumbling and if speculation is to be believed Edwin Jeans are ready to battle the might Levi’s for global denim domination. Edwin Jeans has something of a reputation of being the Levi Jeans of the East and has held a dominant position in the Japanese denim market for many years which a great many fashion commentators attribute to superior product quality and intelligent advertising based around the world’s sexy man, Brad Pitt.

Brad Pitt was the face of Edwin jeans in Asia from 1996 to 1999 and helped the brand establish itself as a major denim force. In the televised advertisements, Brad Pitt sings of the wonders of the Edwin Jeans 503, which he apparently mispronounces. Although Brad Pitt refuses to appear in American commercials, he appeared in a long list of Asian Edwin Jeans commercials. Edwin Jeans were reputedly very disappointed to lose their star celebrity back in 1999.Recently there’s been talk of Edwin Jeans expanding it’s reach across the pacific. The brand, it is rumored, believes its product is able to compete outside its long established regional territory and compete on the global stage. Edwin Jeans does have a historical base in Europe and although they are the leading jeans supplier in Japan with 800 employees with their headquarters in Tokyo which is still located in the same 1947 building, Edwin Jeans has been present in Europe since 1979 and built a new European office is in Basel, Switzerland in 2003. That said, they have never been able to “crack” Levi’s American market.

The highlight of the Edwin Jeans SS collection is their Natural Indigo Fabric, all developed and made in Japan. Their Natural Indigo is hand dyed, woven on the old narrow looms and also features the Edwin Rainbow Selvage. The Edwin Rainbow Selvage is a historic feature that has been on Edwin Fabrics since 1963. They are extending the male jeans offer with 4 styles and enlarging the finish offer to 12 finishes by style. The female collection covers 6 bottoms styles and also tops. The finishes will be focused on worn 2nd hand looks or unwashed denim, also on rainbow selvage.

So if Edwin Jeans are planning to bring the fight to Levi Jeans in their own backyard, the question on everyone’s lips is will they be able to persuade Brad Pitt to break his decision not to appear in American commercials. If they can persuade Brad Pitt then who knows maybe they will be able to apply a decisive blow to Levi’s — it wouldn’t be the first time a Japanese company floored its American opposition!

Jhung Yuro Limited Edition Luxury Shoes

Thursday, March 2nd, 2006

Jhung Yuro Limited Edition Luxury ShoesOne of the most exclusive shoes of 2006 has arrived. The Jhung Yuro exlusive luxury lifestyle footwear is limited to just ONE shoe per size - now that’s LIMITED EDITION for real. The luxury shoe consists of full grain leather with genuine snake skin Split suede, leather sock and collar lining Cup sole with deco stitch detailing. Two sets of laces and a full grain leather shoe box, contrast deco stitch on box exterior, magnetic buckle closure Monogram interior box lining.

Launched in 2005, Jhung Yuro was created when designers Jhung Yuro and Ceasar Lunix recognized a void in the men’s luxury lifestyle footwear marketplace. Jhung Yuro is currently available in specialty boutiques including, Nom De Guerre and Otto Tootsie Plohound in New York City, Ubiq and Fusion in Philadelphia and Arrive in Miami.

The sophisticated new collection from Jhung Yuro gets its inspiration from the safari and various wildlife. Natural materials like snakeskin in vibrant colors continue Jhung Yuro’s design esthetic of the marriage of luxury lifestyle footwear and exclusivity with comfort and originality. Key styles for the season include the Exotic I and the Hiker Low, designed in rich, bold colorways and earth tones with pastel pops, respectively.

The collection is available to view and buy online: Click Here!

Artful Dodger Clothes - Bape Hoody Evisu Jeans hybrid

Thursday, March 2nd, 2006

Artful Dodger Clothes - Bape Hoody Evisu Jeans hybridIs Artful Dodger a Bape x Evisu hybrid? Are Artful Dodger clothes for people who can’t afford genuine Bape and Evisu? Some fashion commentators have been throwing these suggesting around and some fashionistas have been blindly nodding in agreement.

In reality, Artful Dodger is neither a hybrid nor an economy label. Artful Dodger clothes are highly original and are not immersed in Bape style Hip-Hop Culture but have a genuine and unique flavor of their own: “Artful Dodger is best described as a European, contemporary men’s street wear line. Though urban casual, it’s the opposite of the baggy oversized hip-hop look associated with American street wear.”

The Artful Dodger x Evisu comparison is perhaps even more bogus. Artful Dodger jeans may have extravagant and ornate “oriental” detailing but there is no dominant logo engineered into the design and style-structure as with the Evisu gull-wings. Despite the need for some fashion commentators to pigeon whole and stratify, Artful Dodger is a unique brand — and whether you like the style or not it at least deserves recognition for its originality.