Denim is breaking away from its casual image. Popularity has been bolstered in part by the advanced technologies of Japanese textile manufacturers, who have turned out such products as soft, flexible denim. Many denim textiles used by luxurious brands are products of Japanese textile manufacturers.

Designers are turning out sophisticated denim fashions that overturn the fabric’s casual image. Underlying this trend is the development of new technologies and materials. Gucci used bleached denim for a military-style jacket accentuated with gold buttons and wide-leg pants with turned-up bottoms, while Fendi presented a three-piece suit using denim. Michael Kors combined a short jacket with creased pants, both using navy denim in a fetching combination.

The denim used for luxury brand clothing is a result of advanced technologies, which have led to soft, flexible denim textiles. They are comfortable to wear and create a flattering silhouette. These technologies have also added subtle hues and delicate textures to denim, making it possible to meet the increasingly diverse requests of designers.

A new long dress by Bottega Veneta used a soft denim manufactured in Japan and had elegant drapes. A jacket by Etro used a thin denim that was decorated with geometric motifs. Denim is being used for shoes and bags, too. Some denim textiles are valuable for their rarity, as they can only be manufactured on old-fashioned weaving machinery.