We love J Brand, there we said it! They're the world's leading designer denim brand, and now we'll tell you why. Firstly, J Brand have invested into fabrication. Gone are the days of traditional, stiff, authentic denim fabrics, ever since stretch arrived on the scene, J Brand have created the best skinny jeans, then introducing beautiful soft smarter twills before trying their best-selling five pocket fit in leather and velvet. In the last year they have excelled their research for new technology and created three new fabrications; the Luxe Sateen, Photo Ready and The Stocking.
J Brand Photo Ready at Donna IdaJ Brand Luxe Sateen (pictured below in Wildflower) is the super sleek, buttery soft fabric with a little sheen which for SS14 returns in delicate pastel and neutral shades. Try this in Summer with flat sandals or the thinner fabric is perfect for tucking into boots in the Winter. Launched in 2013, J Brand Photo Ready jeans can Photoshop you, making you appear slimmer by clever stretch technology designed to hold you in. As J Brand's Creative Director Donald Oliver explains 'This season we paid a lot of attention to fabric and fabric technology to give J Brand woman the softness she wants but without losing the fit and recovery of the fabric.' Hurrah! Lifting? Yes! Contouring? Please!
J Brand Luxe Sateen Wildflower at Donna IdaIf that's not enough, SS14 promises a new fabrication; J Brand's Stocking Jean has been created to rival the softness and comfort of modern hoisery with a luxurious, ultra soft fabric that is still your favourite denim skinny. As J Brand put it, 'It feels like a stocking but looks like a jean.' It is designed to be the most comfortable of skinny jeans, hugging in all the right places, and still be your favourite, hardwearing, versatile, skinny jeans in your modern wardrobe. Revolutionary and highly coveted, Donna Ida has an exclusive pre-run on the first Stocking Jean in the UK (J Brand Stocking Jean 620 in Darkness) with more due to arrive in June this year. We'll be wearing ours every day with every item in our wardrobes.
J Brand Stocking at Donna Ida in DarknessThe second thing we love about J Brand is the impeccable fit from innovative styles. We have our favourites, the 811 (mid rise, so flattering), 620 (the perfect skinny), the Major (the chic high rise), the Maria (the Major's sexier sister jean) and we also have our fashion highlights. The Houlihan was an unprecedented success, and was followed by hit after hit... Agnes, Ginger, Maverick, Ashton and Grayson. The third thing to note about J Brand is their commitment to a modern, sleek aesthetic. Clean lines, logo free jeans, simple, perfect pockets. The only branding you'll find on them is a small 'J' on the button. Genius.
Exclusive to Donna Ida J Brand Major Skinny Jeans in Garrison, Mist and SilverstoneFor SS14, we have a selection of exclusive styles to add to our J Brand edit. The J Brand Major is a Donna Ida girl favourite in a luxurious twill fabric, high-rise design, sleek faux front pockets and zips at the ankles. Here we've got a little style advice on how to wear them...and I'm up first... I love the Major style as it's so slimming on the legs. I've teamed the pastel blue 'Mist' wash with a long blazer from April, May (pictured left) and a tee from Splendid. To finish off, my cream and gold Prada bag with my much loved Miu Miu sandals. For a more casual look, I love Joie for a little LA cool, so I'm wearing a floral Rain B Tank with an IRO Blazer and Chanel pumps.
Claire's Style: J Brand Major Skinny Jeans in Mist worn with April, May Zone Jacket and Joie Rain B Tank and IRO BlazerOur Assistant Buyer Natasha Cobham has gone for stronger colours for her J Brand Major in Mist. The bright, bold printed House of Holland tee adds a cooler edge and the Muubaa Leather Jacket completes the rock chick look. Accessorise with on-trend (temporary) pink hair.
Natasha's Style: Exclusive J Brand Major Skinny Jeans in Mist teamed with House of Holland Printed Tee and Muubaa Kariba Leather JacketOur Graphic Designer Kate Gorbunova wears the J Brand Major in a soft grey 'Silverstone' wash with a contrasting bright blue House of Holland Tee in an abstract print. The black structured EACH x OTHER Leather Jacket has subtle midnight horizontal stripes running through it to make it the perfect statement cover-up between seasons.
Exclusive to Donna Ida J Brand Major Skinny Jeans in Silverstone teamed with House of Holland Electric Thorn Tee and EACH x OTHER Leather Biker JacketJ Brand's Ashton Cargo in Laq Black and Grayson Cargo Skinny in Storm are both exclusive to Donna Ida, mixing the multi-pocket military style with biker cool influences for SS14.
Exclusive to J Brand Ashton Cargo Skinny in Lacq Black and J Brand Grayson Cargo Skinny in StormSuzan from our Chelsea boutique is classic, cool and chic in her leather look Ashton skinnies. Below left, she teams her jeans with flats, a Rebel Waite white shirt and the cutest french bulldog sequinned Markus Lupfer jumper, finished off with a black hat from Christy's Hats. For a more sporty look she embraces a cool and casual look with a IRO tee, a printed bomber jacket from April, May and statement jewellery.
Suzan Style: Exclusive J Brand Ashton Cargo Skinny in Lacq Black teamed with Markus Lupfer Natalie Jumper with Sequin French Bulldog and Rebel Waite Crawford Shirt and IRO Vendela Tee and April, May Leaves Bomber JacketHanaa from Donna Ida in Westfield wears Grayson in Storm with a chic Rabens Saloner Shirt and cropped Leather Jacket from Parisian brand IRO for a chic look teamed with lace-up ankle boots and finished off with a pop of this season's must-have fuchsia pink lip colour.
Hanaa Style: Exclusive J Brand Grayson Cargo Skinny in Storm teamed with Rabens Saloner Mixed Shirt and IRO Luiga Leather JacketShop J Brand. Shop Designers. J Brand Grayson and Ashton are in store now and J Brand for Donna Ida Major Exclusive colours are due in April.
