It is a bold statement to say that ‘denim is the most important fabric of the twenty-first century,’ but one that surely must resonate with a world in which half of its population, at any one time, is wearing a pair of jeans.
‘Denim has literally changed, fuelled and made the lives of so many people in this book, including mine,’ says Amy Leverton, a denim expert who has worked in the industry for ten years, most recently at the leading trend forecasting website, WGSN, where she is currently Director of Denim and Youth Culture.
My first realisation that I was falling for denim was in 2004 when I visited a famed denim mill in North Carolina, USA. It was there that I realised learning about denim is an endless journey; however much you learn, you never get to the end of the road.
Shot on the streets of Paris, Tokyo, London, New York, LA, Milan, San Francisco, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Barcelona, Melbourne, Gothenburg and Sydney, by over 14 different photographers, the book explores the great versatility and allure of denim in all its different guises; from changing styles and cuts to classic items that never go out of style.
The book was put together alongside a busy travelling schedule and full-time day job. ‘Most of the work was done on the road: on planes, in hotels and waiting at departure lounges,’ she adds.
Denim Dudes is not just a collection of nicely shot, inspirational style images. Substance, insight, love and a host of personalities such as François Girbaud, Adriano Goldschmied and Kenji Shiotani are packed in this must-have, fun denim encyclopedia. I wouldn’t dare missing it.
Denim Dudes, by Amy Leverton, published by Laurence King Publishing, £16.95, laurenceking.com
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