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24 Carat Jeans?!

To celebrate the launch of Selfridges' super sized denim Studio, that opens on June 24th, coveted denim label JBrand unveil their new jeans, complete with 24 carat gold rivets and a price tag setting you back £525.  According to JBrand's Creative Director Donald Oliver, the jeans do "..The same job as a LBD, but a little tougher" and apparently "It's the next step in giving our girl something she can wear in the evening."
In all honesty it sounds  a little excessive to me, for just a pair of jeans. Its quite ironic and almost as though the fabric has come full circle, as denim was originally created during the gold rush for workers as they needed durable trousers to withstand hard labour when gold mining, and now the jeans are getting covered in 24 carats themselves!

Sam Rollinson for JBrand's Little Black Jean Collection

Britain produces and purchases more luxury goods than anywhere else in the world, so what does this say about the British fashion shopper?! I think this may be signalling that in our recession British consumers have realised that its better to choose quality over quantity. Saving up for a quality piece that costs a little more works out better in the long run than buying many shoddily made garments from bargain shops such as Primark. This is better for the environment, factory workers overseas and the economy in the long run. Either way I don't think I'll be saving up for the 24 Carat jeans anytime soon...

The Fashion Rich List

                               (The bargain hunters that have earned the Westons their millions)


1. Galen and George Weston £6,650m (Primark,Selfridges)
2.Sir Phillip and Lady Green £3,880m (Topshop,Dorothy Perkins, BHS)
3.Sir David and Sir Frederick Barclay £2,350m(Littlewoods)
4.Mike Ashley  £2,300m(Sportsworld,Sports Direct)
5.Bernard Lewis and family £1,250m(River Island)
6.Stephen Rubin and family£1,120m(JD Sports,Speedo)
7.John Hargreaves and family £1,000m(Matalan)
8=Richard Caring £700m(International Clothing Design)
8=Christina Ong and family £700m(Mulberry)
10.David BromilowD£650m(Adidas)



Above is the top ten of The fashion rich list from The Sunday Times rich list 2013. i was unsure what to expect from the fashion rich list, and was completely shocked when i browsed through the booklet and came across this. I kind of assumed the top ten would be owners of designer brands, and surprisingly only one luxury brand comes up in the top ten, Mulberry owned by Christina Ong and family, predominantly known for their luxurious handbags, the brand is a huge favourite among celebrities. I was surprised to see George and Galen Weston at number one, as Primark is known for its cheaply produced items and bargain prices, so i was surprised to see they are top of the poll.
Other brands i was surprised to see was Sports Direct at number 4 and JJB Sports at number 29, as these thrifty sport shops are usually seen holding closing down sales or slashing prices of their stock to get rid of it. If anything I would of thought these shops were on their way out, apparently not.

I mentioned in a previous post about the state of the British highstreet, and how it's now bleaker than ever with many shops shutting down as a consequence of the recession the country is in. The fashion rich list shows it's not all doom and gloom as many of the top fashion millionaires are from the highstreet with brands such H&M, New Look, Ted Baker and even George at Asda also coming into the poll.