Blue Denim Community

Blue Lenz Denim Video Awards

CARVED IN BLUE/ BLUE LENZ

The winners of the second BLUE LENZ DENIM VIDEO AWARDS are out now!

31. August 2022

Beginning back in 2021, the BLUE LENZ DENIM VIDEO AWARDS is an annual celebration of creativity, technical excellence and innovation in the denim industry.

The Awards take place at Bluezone, the Munich Fabric Start international trade show for denim, street and sportswear.

The BLUE LENZ YouTube channel was launched in January 2020 with the aim to capture and curate all the latest original video content cover stories, education, sustainability initiatives, fabric innovations and trends from the denim community.

Currently hosting more than 430 videos and with upwards of 1,000 followers, the aim is to shine the spotlight on the best and the brightest blue videos, and recognize the best ones with an awards competition in collaboration with Bluezone.

For those of us who grew up in the era of MTV we recall the launch of music videos.  It was at that time that music and videos came to life and that eventually led onto the birth of the MTV Music Video Awards in 1984.

We asked ourselves “Why can’t the denim industry have the same?”

As a category of textiles that boasts some of the deepest roots and richest of histories, denim has been an influential component of popular culture and fashion for centuries. denim is ubiquitous. Denim has impacted music, art, politics, culture – and that is what we hope is reflected in the content of the Blue Lenz Denim Video Awards.

In an effort to highlight and champion the best in our industry, as well as to credit people and teams behind each of the denim videos, we nominated videos in 8 categories.  We enlisted a group of esteemed judges from around the world to debate and deliberate the winners, and it was those winners that were recognized today at the Bluezone/ Munich Fabric Start event.

Our judging panel consisted of:

Margherita Verlicchi
Menabo
(ITALY)

Michelle Branch
Markt & Twigs
(USA)

Wouter Munnichs
Long John Denim (NETHERLANDS)

Panos Sofianos
Bluezone
(GERMANY / GREECE)

Kara Nicholas
Denim Expert
(USA)

Best Educational Video/ Series 

WINNER

Transformers ED Series by Transformers Foundation

2nd place: Kingston University MA Fashion – Denim Project

3rd place: Ever Evolving Talks by Calik Denim

Best Denim Design/ Collection

WINNER

2nd place: WASSSH! SPAIN IS DIFFERENT by Jose Medina

3rd place: “NAVEENA DENIM MIILLS X ENDRIME® X OFFICINA + 39 “FUTURE CELLULOSIC COLLECTION””

Best Sustainability - Connection to the UN SDGs

WINNER

2nd place:  Blackhorse Lane Ateliers – ‘Community Membership’ APRIL 2022

3rd place tie: Celebrating Women at AGI – Women’s Day

3rd place tie: Collaboration with the Textile Institute of Pakistan

Future Forward

WINNER

2nd place: ORTA – ALWAYS TAKE THE SCENIC ROUTE

3rd place: Advance Denim – Jeans Redesgin

Honorable Mention

WINNER

NAVEENA DENIM LTD ( NDL) X

SALLI CONSIDERED FIBRE TO FINISH

Best Overall Video

WINNER

2nd: Hempy Colleciton by Bossa

3rd : NDM X OfficinaX Endrime

We also want to thank our hosts, Blue Zone at Munich Fabric Start.

Photo images available upon request from the live presentation.

For more information contact:

Tricia Carey
Lenzing
t.carey@lenzing.com

Discover further industry-disrupting innovations at our upcoming shows:

BLUEZONE

30/08 – 31/08/2022

www.bluezone.show

MUNICH FABRIC START

30/08 – 01/09/2022

www.munichfabricstart.com

THE SOURCE

30/08 – 01/09/2022

www.thesource.show

Bluezone Denim Trends

Bluezone Denim Trends: BACK TO THE FUTURE

4. December 2021

The entire BLUEZONE team proudly invites all denim professionals to discover the BACK TO THE FUTURE trend forum, which returns us to a time when the future is free to be written – a future with a strong desire for blue denim trends, novelties and a feeling of freedom. Where sustainability goes beyond and against greenwashing to envision the denim of tomorrow. To get started, let us briefly introduce you to the 4 trend themes, which are also represented in the DIGITAL TREND SPACE as 4 distinct exhibition rooms: #1 BIG FUN; #2 GAME ON; #3 IN-FORMAL MUTANTS; #4 RE-TURN

#1 BIG FUN

This trend for right now! There is a celebration taking place, against the odds society has advanced and adapted to live with the pandemic. Now, we picking up our party plans with an invigorated sense of celebration. A new energy drives us, seeking to take back the time we lost by invoking revenge spending, revenge travelling and especially revenge partying. Our physical senses tell us to never again underestimate the importance of physical connection. Reminding us of the ‘Let’s Get Physical’ from the hit era of the 80’s to make fun our new anthem. Make it physical… keep it physical.

– A ‘right now’ trend …

– Celebrating a certain normality, back to fun, very big fun

– A celebration in denim

– Skin and skinny fits, think hyper stretch fabrics ‘one size fits many’

– As fast as high rises rose up, the next generation will set them low again

– Sensual seduction through fabrics and body-conscious fits

– Party looks are smart but with a rebellious, sexy flair

– Sparkling effects, metallics, prints

– Embellishments

– Gender free, gender freedom, sexual freedom

– Imagine Denim Kamasutra

#2 GAME ON

We’ve lived through a surge of innovation and technology, now the virtual world surrounds us. Even though as humans we are physical fanatics when it comes to events and retail, it is crucial to dive into this world as it shapes future generations. The real world enters the game world, where consumers attend concerts (in the game), buy your own outfits (skins) where denim looks can rule and untapped with potential, it is where advertising hits the consumers, where zeros become rich heroes. Denim finds a new home here with plenty of space for denim experts to make their mark.

– Virtual reality meets gaming and denim

– A universe where professional gamers become millionaires

– An open book where pages are yet to be written by branded denim

– Comfort is key

– Knitted and knit-like denim

– Mellow thickness in fabric

– Bolt graphics, intensity through hero fonts & images

– 3D and AI in denim marketing

– Dobby constructions

– Denim with a license to virtually kill

– Beauty beyond nationality becomes a blend of east and west

#3 IN-FORMAL MUTANTS

An Urban fairy-tale. During the 1920’s prohibition, there was money to be made in illegal parties. A sense of business developed out of play and just like the clandestine parties featured in the hills and mansions of late, the pandemic has brought about a new era of business and party. The rise in big fun will see waistlines fall again and believe it or not, everywhere from dresses to jeans we will look to the 1920’s for cuts and inspiration. A demand for more sartorial dress codes is met with a new twist and rebellious interpretations on sartorial looks.

– An urban fairy tale

– Rebellious smart dressing

– Sartorial joggings

– Edgy shoulders and slouchy bottoms

– Indigo felt and terry towel

– Sharp softness

– 1920’s fun meets 2020’s styling

– The Great Gatsby reimagined in home-office

– Low waists, long upper bodies

– Booze and business

#4 RE-TURN

This theme is about the beauty of simple denim and knowing its quality from fiber to final product and the importance of greenwashing hatery. Blue denim is coming back in a big way, another reason, why our denim industry has to set the right standards. Many have taken innovative steps and introduced the cleanest way of making denim. A little less are green across most of their product range. And a few still seem to follow the concept of greenwashing, unfortunately. Let’s change this, let’s all improve together!

Is the denim market how we want it to be and do we support it? We wonder how cheap should denim go? We know denim can be affordable and yet democratic. Driven by style, know-how and quality and topped with innovation, we invest in extremely durable, timeless and sustainable denim.

– The Eden of denim and quality

– Quality from fiber to garment

– Lifetime denim, to fight ridiculous fast-fashion price points

– Denim liberation in gender neutrality

– Circularity

– Greenwashing hatery

– New eco fibers and fabric buying behaviors, like Coreva, V550 degradable spandex…

– Buyers follow and implement sustainable standards, defined by sustainability managers.

– Sustainability demands and standards are individually defined

– One fabric offers multiple solutions as it adapts to diverse demands

– Green and tech-innovation for a brighter future


Denim Trend #5: Youngtimers

SS 2022 DENIM TREND ANALYSIS: YOUNGTIMERS

12. April 2021

As we enter a new decade of denim, we see how the ongoing current global crisis does not limit us, we keep each other safe as it keeps us in but WE ARE ALL IN this together. Our denim world is shaped by the world’s reactions, anticipations and innovations. We look forward with strength and prospects for what we achieve today.

The five denim trends reveal the blueprints for a new physical and digital future, our new ‘phygital’ world. A new urbanity shows us a life in harmony with Mother Earth. Ethnic influences brought back from world travels are key to understanding what will nourish us and without a doubt, blow our denim heads in the upcoming seasons.

The BLUEZONE Trend Team presents the 5 trend themes for WE ARE ALL IN:

NEW GROUNDS the growing importance of new playgrounds for denim

PHYGITAL DENIM created for the makers and workers of our future

BEAUTY OF NOTHING discovering the beauty in things which do not change

WORLD TRAVELLING memories of world travels and souvenirs nurture our minds and fantasy

YOUNGTIMERS finding a fresh beauty in the old styles of yesterday

BLUEZONE TREND THEME #5 YOUNGTIMERS

– Recently old becomes recently new

– A proper fit-chaos

– Not so old streetstyles

– Neo-vintage or inspired

– Contrast stitchings

– Violated washes

– Loud and barking


Denim Trend #4: World Travelling

SS 2022 DENIM TREND ANALYSIS: WORLD TRAVELLING

8. April 2021

As we enter a new decade of denim, we see how the ongoing current global crisis does not limit us, we keep each other safe as it keeps us in but WE ARE ALL IN this together. Our denim world is shaped by the world’s reactions, anticipations and innovations. We look forward with strength and prospects for what we achieve today.

The five denim trends reveal the blueprints for a new physical and digital future, our new ‘phygital’ world. A new urbanity shows us a life in harmony with Mother Earth. Ethnic influences brought back from world travels are key to understanding what will nourish us and without a doubt, blow our denim heads in the upcoming seasons.

The BLUEZONE Trend Team presents the 5 trend themes for WE ARE ALL IN:

NEW GROUNDS the growing importance of new playgrounds for denim

PHYGITAL DENIM created for the makers and workers of our future

BEAUTY OF NOTHING discovering the beauty in things which do not change

WORLD TRAVELLING memories of world travels and souvenirs nurture our minds and fantasy

YOUNGTIMERS finding a fresh beauty in the old styles of yesterday

BLUEZONE TREND THEME #4 WORLD TRAVELLING

– Souvenirs from around the world

– Ethnic & indigenous influences

– Artisanal & crafted accents

– Flowers, prints, flags & rural icons

– Mixing slim and wide volumes

– Mixing international hero-products

– Softness & pampering

– Luxury & simplicity


Denim Trend #3: Beauty of Nothing

SS 2022 DENIM TREND ANALYSIS: THE BEAUTY OF NOTHING

5. April 2021

As we enter a new decade of denim, we see how the ongoing current global crisis does not limit us, we keep each other safe as it keeps us in but WE ARE ALL IN this together. Our denim world is shaped by the world’s reactions, anticipations and innovations. We look forward with strength and prospects for what we achieve today.

The five denim trends reveal the blueprints for a new physical and digital future, our new ‘phygital’ world. A new urbanity shows us a life in harmony with Mother Earth. Ethnic influences brought back from world travels are key to understanding what will nourish us and without a doubt, blow our denim heads in the upcoming seasons.

The BLUEZONE Trend Team presents the 5 trend themes for WE ARE ALL IN:

NEW GROUNDS the growing importance of new playgrounds for denim

PHYGITAL DENIM created for the makers and workers of our future

BEAUTY OF NOTHING discovering the beauty in things which do not change

WORLD TRAVELLING memories of world travels and souvenirs nurture our minds and fantasy

YOUNGTIMERS finding a fresh beauty in the old styles of yesterday

BLUEZONE TREND THEME #3 THE BEAUTY OF NOTHING

– The invisible beauty

– No design, less is more

– Timeless design

– Subtleness

– It’s all in the detail, of the detail…

– Rugged durability (sustainability through endless product life)

– A life in one denim


Denim Trend #2: Phygital Denim

SS 2022 DENIM TREND ANALYSIS: PHYGITAL DENIM

1. April 2021

As we enter a new decade of denim, we see how the ongoing current global crisis does not limit us, we keep each other safe as it keeps us in but WE ARE ALL IN this together. Our denim world is shaped by the world’s reactions, anticipations and innovations. We look forward with strength and prospects for what we achieve today.

The five denim trends reveal the blueprints for a new physical and digital future, our new ‘phygital’ world. A new urbanity shows us a life in harmony with Mother Earth. Ethnic influences brought back from world travels are key to understanding what will nourish us and without a doubt, blow our denim heads in the upcoming seasons.

The BLUEZONE Trend Team presents the 5 trend themes for WE ARE ALL IN:

NEW GROUNDS the growing importance of new playgrounds for denim

PHYGITAL DENIM created for the makers and workers of our future

BEAUTY OF NOTHING discovering the beauty in things which do not change

WORLD TRAVELLING memories of world travels and souvenirs nurture our minds and fantasy

YOUNGTIMERS finding a fresh beauty in the old styles of yesterday

BLUEZONE TREND THEME #2 PHYGITAL DENIM

– Digitisation in denim design…fabrics, styling, interactive products

– Digitisation in denim marketing… visualisations, communication & promotion

– From fungus to yarn…denim fabrics made from bacteria and organics

– Any indigo fabric innovation but… NO cotton, NO PE, NO PET

– Metallics and coatings… only sustainable will do

– Protection: denim to protect against microbia, virus, rashes, scratches…

– For a work, utility & active lifestyle


Denim Trend #1: New Grounds

SS 2022 DENIM TREND ANALYSIS: NEW GROUNDS

29. March 2021

As we enter a new decade of denim, we see how the ongoing current global crisis does not limit us, we keep each other safe as it keeps us in but WE ARE ALL IN this together. Our denim world is shaped by the world’s reactions, anticipations and innovations. We look forward with strength and prospects for what we achieve today.

The five denim trends reveal the blueprints for a new physical and digital future, our new ‘phygital’ world. A new urbanity shows us a life in harmony with Mother Earth. Ethnic influences brought back from world travels are key to understanding what will nourish us and without a doubt, blow our denim heads in the upcoming seasons.

The BLUEZONE Trend Team presents the 5 trend themes for WE ARE ALL IN:

NEW GROUNDS the growing importance of new playgrounds for denim

PHYGITAL DENIM created for the makers and workers of our future

BEAUTY OF NOTHING discovering the beauty in things which do not change

WORLD TRAVELLING memories of world travels and souvenirs nurture our minds and fantasy

YOUNGTIMERS finding a fresh beauty in the old styles of yesterday

BLUEZONE TREND THEME #1 NEW GROUNDS

– Urban moves to the countryside, new « utility needs »

– Country is in…new earthy poetry

– Durable quality vs objects of consumption

– Fashion food…denim in the kitchen, cookware and utensils

– Vegan denim…patches & trims

– Interior design…objects, vases, home furnishings & denim furniture


Our New BLUEZONE Living Page is Live!

Discover & Contribute To Our Interactive Digital Platform!

23. February 2021

We, the BLUEZONE team, are proud to share our new digital home for the denim community with you: www.bluezone.show. With the launch of the progressive BLUEZONE Living Page, we offer a completely new and surprising experience through an interactive and dynamic approach featuring exclusive insights for all denim lovers.

The idea behind the one-of-a-kind website is to constantly update and inspire the blue-blooded community through a “living” platform in between shows. Our next BLUEZONE show will take place in Munich from 31 August – 1 September 2021. Until then, everyone with a heart for denim is welcomed on www.bluezone.show to dive deeper into the blue world showcasing the stories, personalities and brands who are shaping this industry.

“We’ve always wanted to offer the denim community a special environment according to their needs – which is why we started to organise BLUEZONE as a dedicated denim show in the first place. In these challenging times, we felt like broadening this approach by offering the industry a new, exciting and vivid platform to share information, get inspired, collect futuristic ideas and stay connected throughout the year”, says Sebastian Klinder, Managing Director of BLUEZONE.

“We aimed to create something truly unique: a lively digital home where one could spend hours because the content never gets boring and is constantly updated. True to our motto ‘denim beyond the seasons’, our special BLUEZONE Living Page creates the perfect basis for the live talks and the development of innovative novelties which will be presented at our upcoming BLUEZONE show from 31 August to 1 September 2021”, adds Lucie Germser, Denim Creative Consultant for BLUEZONE.

Besides offering information about the key event BLUEZONE itself, the interactive Living Page presents “Unmissable Community News” as well as inspiring “Blue Trends, behind the scene shots, material news and fashion collections to be discovered by the blue community. Page visitors can share some “Hot Minutes With” industry insiders like Stephanie Micci, Global Creative Director of Roxy, or Ronnie Reyes, Global Head of Design of Quiksilver.

Further denim heads like Luca Braschi, CEO of Blue Alchemy, or Barbara Gnutti, CEO of Effe-Bi, answer unexpected questions in the “Who Really Is” series while denim manufacturer and mills showcase their most recent collection novelties and company values in the “Bluezone Speed Meeting” series.

Now it’s your turn: We invite you to share your most exciting novelties and ideas with our BLUEZONE team and therefore with the whole denim industry! We are looking forward to receiving your ideas via mail to news@bluezone.show

Stay healthy & hopetimistic and see you in the end of August at BLUEZONE,

Your BLUEZONE team


Bluezone Trend Forecast

22. February 2021

As we enter a new decade of denim, we see how the ongoing current global crisis does not limit us, we keep each other safe as it keeps us in but WE ARE ALL IN this together. Our denim world is shaped by the world’s reactions, anticipations and innovations. We look forward with strength and prospects for what we achieve today.

The five denim trends reveal the blueprints for a new physical and digital future, our new ‘phygital’ world. A new urbanity shows us a life in harmony with Mother Earth. Ethnic influences brought back from world travels are key to understanding what will nourish us and without a doubt, blow our denim heads in the upcoming seasons.

#1 NEW GROUNDS
THE GROWING IMPORTANCE OF NEW PLAYGROUNDS FOR DENIM

– Urban moves to the countryside, new « utility needs »

– Country is in…new earthy poetry

– Durable quality vs objects of consumption

– Fashion food…denim in the kitchen, cookware and utensils

– Vegan denim…patches & trims

– Interior design…objects, vases, home furnishings & denim furniture

#2 PHYGITAL DENIM
CREATED FOR THE MAKERS AND WORKERS OF OUR FUTURE

– Digitisation in denim design…fabrics, styling, interactive products

– Digitisation in denim marketing… visualisations, communication & promotion

– From fungus to yarn…denim fabrics made from bacteria and organics

– Any indigo fabric innovation but… NO cotton, NO PE, NO PET

– Metallics and coatings… only sustainable will do

– Protection: denim to protect against microbia, virus, rashes, scratches…

– For a work, utility & active lifestyle

#3 THE BEAUTY OF NOTHING
DISCOVERING THE BEAUTY IN THINGS WHICH DO NOT CHANGE

– The invisible beauty

– No design, less is more

– Timeless design

– Subtleness

– It’s all in the detail, of the detail…

– Rugged durability (sustainability through endless product life)

– A life in one denim

#4 WORLD TRAVELLING
MEMORIES OF WORLD TRAVELS AND SOUVENIRS NURTURE OUR MINDS AND FANTASY

– Souvenirs from around the world

– Ethnic & indigenous influences

– Artisanal & crafted accents

– Flowers, prints, flags & rural icons

– Mixing slim and wide volumes

– Mixing international hero-products

– Softness & pampering

– Luxury & simplicity

#5 YOUNGTIMERS
FINDING A FRESH BEAUTY IN THE OLD STYLES OF YESTERDAY

– Recently old becomes recently new

– A proper fit-chaos

– Not so old streetstyles

– Neo-vintage or inspired

– Contrast stitchings

– Violated washes

– Loud and barking