Portent: A fashion film that channels the past, promotes the present and predicts the future

Pretentious? Maybe. Relateable? Not really. But innovative? Without a doubt.

Portent is an impeccably-crafted fashion film produced collaboratively by The Corner and SHOWstudio, the brainchild of legendary photographer Nick Knight. It is an ornate and ethereal celebration of the human form enblazoned by exquisite couture, and a dramatic yet blissful period piece at the same time. Oh yeah, and did I mention it’s an ad?

Among the designer labels featured in the short film are Viktor & Rolf, Proenza Schouler, Kris Van Assche, Masion Martin Margiela, Ann Demeulemeester, just to name a few. What these brands all have in common, apart from their refined point of view and ungodly price tags, is that they each have their own “mini-store” on the virtual high-end fashion mall that is The Corner. The site stands out by offering visitors an especially creative and interactive shopping experience, dialed up through an array of stunning multimedia projects and campaigns which accentuate the unique DNA and design sensibility of each of its specially-selected brands.

Regardless of where you shop, how you shop, and your level of financial and artistic interest in what you wear, this film, “Portent,” and The Corner it was born on provide provocative insight on the future of retail, advertising and the notion that sex sells.

Apliiq, Because “Clothes Can Be Fun”

What could be better than your favorite hoodie? Try, your favorite hoodie tricked out with one-of-a-kind custom applique a la the funkiest and freshest fabrics around. And what’s even better than that is that Apliiq brings their magic touch to every element of your look: tees, sneaks and jewelry included.

Based in Los Angeles, Apliiq was started by Boston-native slash style maven Ethan Lipsitz in 2007. He created the line with equal interest in bringing a new breed of customization to the apparel world and giving back to the planet in his own unique fashion (pun intended). As such, Apliiq products use second-hand upcycled textiles to create simple, yet dynamic pieces. Choose from pre-made Apliiq Limiteds or create your own ensemble on apliiq.com. With an ever-growing catalog of fabrics to choose from, the possibilities are endless.

Apliiq products are available through apliiq.com as well as Cultist and Karmaloop. Each garment is handmade in the Apliiq work space in downtown L.A. Keep a look out for new products, including headbands, hi tops, bike accessories, baby clothes and dog wear.

history of denim

CLICK FOR AUDIO interview with Felix Valdez
[© "A Look At Who Distresses Distressed Jeans" reported by Patrick Hirsch for Marketplace from American Public Media]

Growing up my mom always said, “keep it simple” but somehow simple has gotten expensive.  Some will say it pays to spend money on timeless pieces… is that denim?  After I researched a brief history of denim, I still had questions and sought out answers…

The Privy of Denim

This is where Felix Valdez comes into play.  He currently works as an Art Director for Ralph Lauren in New York City.  He is the “quintessential” man for fabric, wash, and texture development of denim according to some.  Felix stumbled upon his niche 8 years ago working as a gofer at the high-end Laundry-First Finish in Los Angeles, thus launching his career with Gap Inc.  He continues exploring, experimenting and using denim as his medium for art and work. Due to luck and peculiar niche, Felix seems to have landed a great job.  He’s not brilliant, intelligent or very inventive but he seems to get the job done.

by corine michel

Interview with Felix Valdez:

What’s your favorite part of a blue jean and why? The way it wears through out the years and molds to your personal fit.
What can consumers expect out of denim for the rest of 2009? It’s really about detail. Nice, dark, broken-in (industrial raw look) but not over processed.

Why are the cost of some jeans going up? One major reason is that US brands started to produce (cut, sew, wash, package) denim patterns domestically, which means cost is going to be more expensive.  Also, designers like to buy European and/or Japanese fabric for its’ superior quality. My take of his response in a mathematical equation: [(you have) $6-$20 / per yard x 3.5 yards = 1 jean – (trim + wash + overhead)].  There’s a milieus of logistics I don’t want to bore you with.

Do you think price equates to quality? YES!  As the adage goes “ You get what you pay for.”  A lot of high-end brands have moved production to China.  It’s now harder to correct and control fitting issues within a timely manner for production and delivery from across the world!  Also, the quality of fabric [from China] is more inconsistent and harder to control in the wash but it’s just a matter of adjusting.

What jeans would you recommend for under $50? I’d recommend Gap or American Eagle.  They buy the same fabrics as some high-end jean makers because they’re able to purchase in much much larger quantities.

What do you think of Levi’s? I LOVE Levi’s.  It’s true America.  I love to collect the true BIG E vintage Levi’s.  They only make Big E Levi’s for their higher-end brand; Capitol E.  At the end of the day, everybody wants to knock off Levi’s.

Hip or Horrible?

When I say "cross" you say...

What’s the worst attempt of street fashion you’ve seen on denim? ACID WASH and Cross Colors!!!

You seem to like raw and vintage jeans, why’s that? I am a purist when it comes to denim.  Denim was a blue-collar fabric and was never meant to be washed.  I dislike brands such as True Religion, 7 jeans, Energie and Citizens on men.  I don’t purchase jeans from brands that originally catered to women.

Why’s that Felix? Low rise?  Really?  Boot cut?  Their cut is more feminine than what I like.  Also, they tend to purchase fabrics with poly stretch which gives it a sheen.

Thank you Felix!  I honestly have to say I never realized the intricacies of a blue jean. You’re welcome.  I hope this helped.

A Brief Summary on the History of Denim for the Aficionado:
18th century: Slave laborers wore jean cloth because it was very strong and didn’t wear easily.
19th century: California gold miners wore denim.   In 1853, Levi Strauss opens a west coast branch of his brothers’ New York dry goods business in San Francisco. The company begins producing denim overalls in the 1870s, and the modern jeans in the1920s.
1930′s: Denim becomes popular in Western movies when cowboys depicts a stylish-rugged look.
1940′s: During World War II American soldiers wear them off duty thus broadening the international market with Wrangler and Lee.
1950′s: Denim becomes widely popular thanks to James Dean [Rebel Without a Cause].
1960-70′s: Hippie generation embraces new designs (i.e. bell-bottoms, embroidered).  Jeans become a symbol of ‘ western decadence’ in non-western countries and are heavily sought after.
1980′s: Jeans become high fashion.  Designers start to produce their own labels.
1990′s: Denim explores different finishes, cuts, shapes, styles: aged, authentic, and vintage.
2000′s: Denim reinvents itself as the single most potent fashion statement creating multitudes of mini, micro and niche markets.  Denim is incorporated in the world of high drama, high class, and high-heeled fashion.