A jean-ius touch? How denim material is taking over fashion again

Kenshi Yonezu, a Japanese singer-songwriter and artist, also wore jeans with a denim jacket in a campaign for Loewe. Photo: Loewe

Denim, a timeless fabric once reserved only for jeans and jackets, is back in 2023 in a big way again, continuing its run from last year.

The fabric’s adaptability makes it the perfect canvas for designers to experiment with, and it ranges from shoes and bags to clothing and accessories.

Celebrities everywhere have been spotted donning all things denim, separately or all at once like Chinese actor and singer Chen Kun, photographed recently at an airport.

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Top-to-toe denim in this chic ensemble. Photo: Rizman Ruzaini

The Burberry brand ambassador wore denim on denim in a jacket and jeans called “Japanese”.

Kenshi Yonezu, a Japanese singer-songwriter and artist, also wore jeans with a denim jacket in a campaign for Loewe.

Brands all over the world have been showcasing denim in various forms, and fashion designers closer to home are no exception.

During the recent Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week (KLFW2023), RR by Rizman Ruzaini’s Cruise 23/24 Collection featured denim prominently on styles for both men and women.

Eye-catching shirts, bottoms, and even suits utilised the versatile fabric, blending elegant pieces with a casual yet chic vibe.

At Nelissa Hilman’s ready-to-wear 2023 collection, acid-washed midnight purple denim A-line skirts and denim wrap dresses were shown on the KLFW2023 runways.

Sneakers, boots and even stilettos are being crafted from this rugged yet chic material, adding a fresh and youthful vibe to any outfit.

Levi’s partnered with global footwear brand Crocs to merge casual comfort and quality design in their all-new Levi’s x Crocs capsule collection.

Each pair has a denim wrapped panel, completed with Sashiko stitching – a traditional Japanese embroidery technique.

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Denim accessories, most notably bags, offer a versatile and stylish option in the form of pure denim, denim panelling, and other styles.

Carlo Rino’s Denim Shoulder Tote Bag, Denim 2-Way Shoulder Bag, Denim Barrel Bag and Denim Backpack offer a blend of style and functionality.

Finally, there’s the wardrobe staple for any age – the denim jacket.

The Sandro X Wrangler collection includes a faded denim jacket that can be worn by men or women, inspired by the iconic westerns of the late 60s.