KEY POINTS:
Pale and interesting must have been on a lot of designers' minds when they were re-working their denim garments for winter.
Most labels have opted for lighter shades of denim. Chambray is also showing strongly, adding to the mood of faded chic - a trend that is set to continue into next summer.
Local label Stolen Girlfriends has designed a parka with a clear, studded hood, a waistcoat, jerkin, shirts, skinny jeans and a biker jacket with a studded collar - all in faded or pale denim.
Mala Brajkovic, in her Pepe's Revenge collection, has created a laced-back cropped jacket, skinny jeans and a slim, short denim skirt in pale, ice-washed denim. She has also designed a printed chambray fabric, which has been fashioned into sleeveless dresses with a frilled neck and ruffle-necked tops.
Other labels to go for the look are Love Lies Bleeding and Cherry Cotton Candy, whose youthful, retro-influenced styles include a zip-front minidress. Karen Walker, who has used chambray in her collection for the past couple of seasons, has continued to do so for winter.
Key pieces in her collection include a sleeveless dress with frilled shoulders plus a very cute full short skirt. These chambray pieces have the casual allure of faded denim without the stiffness and weight.
Walker also used pale denim for her now-trademark wide flared jeans. These paler denim shades are great to lighten the look of winter's somber palette. They also work well with the brighter shades around, particularly acid yellow, orange and scarlet.
Or for a more romantic feel, you can mix them up with earthy tones. That's the beauty of denim, you can work it to suit your mood.
- NZ Herald
