Wrangler® Launches ‘Next Blue’ Design Competition

Wrangler^® Launches ‘Next Blue’ Design Competition

Denim leader calls on consumers to design the next line of blue jeans

GREENSBORO, N.C. (March 15, 2011) – Throughout its long history, Wrangler^® has placed tremendous value on the insights and ideas of its consumers. Now through April 26, the iconic denim brand will hand the design process over to consumers with the launch of Next Blue by Wrangler, a limited edition collection of blue jeans launching this fall. Through a unique online competition, consumers will both design and choose the first style in the Next Blue jean collection.

With no experience being necessary, participating in the Next Blue design contest only requires a vision. From design school students and fashion fiends to stay-at-home moms and weekend warriors, jean wearers from coast to coast are encouraged to submit ideas. Entering the competition is simple: contestants must create a short yet compelling video explaining a unique jean idea and upload it to www.NextBlue.com.

“The first jean ever made by Wrangler was designed by cowboys for cowboys back in 1947 when a rodeo tailor joined the brand and worked with actual rodeo stars to develop a product. That pair of jeans was literally designed by the very men who would eventually be wearing them,” said Craig Errington, vice president of marketing for Wrangler. “For more than 60 years we have been paying close attention to the needs and insights of our consumers; so the concept of Next Blue by Wrangler is both progressive yet uniquely tied to our brand’s legacy.” 

To be eligible, video entries must be received by March 29, 2011. Submissions will then be narrowed down through a series of consumer-led voting rounds online. During the video entry period, visitors to www.NextBlue.com will vote to choose ideas they like best.

Based on originality and total number of votes received, Wrangler executives will then select five finalists to travel to Wrangler headquarters in Greensboro, N.C., to work alongside Wrangler designers, merchandisers and marketing teams to bring their ideas to life. Following this design period, beginning April 19, the five finalists will be showcased on www.NextBlue.com where fans will have one week to vote for the final winning design, announced on April 26.

Chosen to collaborate with one of the most recognized apparel brands in the world, the ultimate Next Blue winner will receive $5,000 and have their jean design produced, marketed and sold by Wrangler this fall.

For more information and to view the official rules, please visit www.NextBlue.com.

'HERITAGE DENIM " rUles the season

The word ‘Heritage denim’ has been in vogue for a couple of seasons now. The report from Denimnadjeans checks out different brands who are exploring their heritage pretty seriously and reproducing as their new lines.

Back in 2008 Trade shows like B&B and Premiere vision when customers were facing the credit crunch and were looking for more value and quality in jeans, brands began looking into their archives and going back to their workwear roots for inspiration. Cool vintage styling, tried and tested craftsmanship and authentic branding reemerged in the denim market. Today, labels like Levi!s and Lee delve into extensive archives, while others are being more loose and conceptual with simple takes on what!s traditional and authentic. 

Well the big boom is 'heritage denim' remains the key this season also........with most of the cool denim brands are looking back trying to give that vintage old-natural feel to the jeans keeping it real simple.

Brands that revived their recent collections-

LEVIS

Straight 201™ Workwear Jeans - Rigid Selvedge

 

A vintage fit that's resolutely straight from hip to hem, creating a looser-fitting leg. Its functional cinch back and shank suspender buttons recall its workwear roots. Sits at the waist. 100% Cotton. Country Of Origin: Imported.

LEE

Lee decided to explore its back catalog with the introduction of Lee, The Archives. Unique pieces like the mechanic!s “Union-All”, invented by H.D. Lee in 1913, and the Original Lee House Mark Jelt Denim Work Jacket from the 40s comprise this range. 

                                      Fall 10 Heritage collection

   

              The 'rider collection' and '50 mile race' limited edition.

WRANGLER

Wrangler – Blue Bell

In 1904, after buying several sewing machines, CC Hudson founded the Hudson Overall Company, which became a pioneer during the early years of workwear and later led to the Wrangler brand. In 1919, the name changed to Blue Bell Overall Company, after a railroad bell in the factory turned blue from indigo dust. In 1943, Hudson acquired the Casey Jones Work-Clothes Company and the rights to its barely used brand name, Wrangler. Over the years, Wrangler has revisited the “Blue Bell” name and logo for select lines. To celebrate the company!s history and archive, Wrangler launched a premium casualwear collection under the iconic name for Fall 09. The bell logo, branded buttons and classic details such as saw-tooth panels on shirts are key aspects of  this high-end capsule.

THE SS 10 BLUE BELL COLLECTION Brings back the heritage value for Wrangler !

 

CLOSED

Closed dates back to late seventies Italy, when it quickly captured the market with its now iconic pedal pusher jeans, which offered a significantly new idea at the time. Now a German-based jeanswear brand, the company
has celebrated its rich heritage in recent years, re-featuring the iconic details and branding of its original success story. Closed!s discreetly angled (at 33º) “X Pocket” and its woven label flies are uniquely recognizable. Proud of its heritage, Closed remains a family-oriented enterprise with strong core values.

 

STRONGHOLD

Stronghold jeans, the first denim workwear from Los Angeles and once main competitors of Levi!s, were originally produced by Brownstein, Newmark and Louis in the early 1900s. In 2004, Von Dutch veteran Michael Cassell and former North Beach Leather director Michael Paradise resurrected the 1895 Stronghold Jean Company, bringing back authentic, handmade denim. “Our reproduction of this classic brand celebrates old world workmanship, selvedge fabrics and original details, achieving a timeless style, fit and finish.” Pieces come in authentic workwear fabrics like duck canvas and railroad stripes, and focus on 100% authentic details and constructions

 

OTHER BRANDS

Rising Sun & Co.“handcrafts indigo clothing that captures the optimistic spirit of America”. Founded by Lucky Brand owner and former designer Mike Hodis, the Pasadena-based denim brand is all about craftsmanship, the rebirth of workwear, period-correct jeans and time-proven techniques. Expert craftsmen create
selvedge organic and raw denim in-store on antique shuttle looms from the U.S.’s oldest denim mill, which is then sewn into garments on turn-of-the-century sewing machines.

 WAREHOUSE

With its high-quality, handcrafted reproduction jeans, Warehouse is a very popular niche denim brand in Japan that heralds the authenticity and heritage of vintage jeans cuts like Levis 501!s and Lee jeans from 1934. Having collaborated with J.Crew, the label is also well known for its work with vintage store Hellers Café. Their limited edition “Lot 484” jeans utilize Warehouse!s 14-ounce Memphis cotton selvedge denim that was woven and dyed in Japan. Details include rusted steel rivets and fly buttons. The Japanese are known for their dedication to perfecting denim, and Warehouse is at the top of its game.