In the Jeans:Fashion & Comfort

Jeans for all reasons
Keep up at the back, denim is about to move on again. Just as you've found your comfort zone of skinny Baxters and ballerinas, along comes a brace of new cuts to challenge your look. Just how did we get here? One minute jeans were simply workwear for miners and loggers, the next they're the height of glamour and we're not even blinking at the idea of Ј150 jeans. Actually, hang on a minute, jeans have been around since the '1800s so perhaps its not so inconceivable that fashion has moved on. From cowboys and rebellious screen idols, to the laidback '60s, it wasn't until rule-breaker Yves Saint Laurent used denim as part of his luxurious ready-to-wear collections in 1969 and his denim trouser suits became the sexy choice of the androgynous style set that denim became dressy, paving the way for the designer jeans of Gloria Vanderbilt and Calvin Klein. These mixed messages underlined the rebellious cool associated with denim.
What next?

These days denim is considered acceptable in almost every situation although interestingly some old school institutions use it as a barrier to keep the riff raff out. Nevertheless it's so ingrained in the psyche of every fashion-literate mover and shaker that even dress codes won't put them off.While most of us judge our denim brands by their ability to flatter, there will always be the fashion faithfuls who follow a look because it's new and not necessarily because it looks good. But snigger though we may, they're the ones who help keep fashion afloat - where would the drainpipe jean be if it wasn't for those mavericks who tried it first? In the end there's room for all styles of jeans. Instead of striving for the perfect pair these days it's about aiming for the perfect wardrobe of jeans. So which ones have you got?

Bright and beautiful

Hands up who lived in black and grey Superfines all winter? Guilty? Then this is the season to store them to make way for new summery shades. With white set to be the colour of summer it makes sense to employ white jeans as the mainstay of your warm-weather wardrobe. Bright white denim comes into its own at Lee, Jane Norman and Notify and it also looks fresh against hot summer brights and natural tan tones. Or why not experiment with the influx of new coloured denim? Think Matthew Williamson-style clashes of red skinny jeans with acid-bright Converse and Lacoste's pastel preppy poloshirts. Elsewhere on the high street you'll find Benetton-bright denim at Sass & Bide and Tsubi and soft pastels at TopShop and H&M.
Hey boyfriend!

It was only a matter of time before the baggy jean reentered the fold. Ultra-wide trousers are set to be key for next autumn so it's not surprising some people are keen to get a head start on the trend now. A primarily relaxed look, these jeans can be dressed up with a heel but only if the jeans are long enough or worn over tall boots. Clumpy sandals like Chloe's wooden-heeled platforms work well as they can be too heavy with narrower jeans. Labels like Oasis, Diesel, Gap and French Connection are backing baggy jeans. French Connection's jeans have been a bestseller for months while Gap's jeans are a timely antidote to the stretch-skinnies so prevalent elsewhere on the high street.

News!Penelope Cruz collection!

Penelope Cruz, the Oscar-nominated star of Volver, has teamed up with Spanish high-street brand Mango for a special Autumn / Winter 2007 collaboration. The limited-edition collection, due to be launched worldwide this autumn, will include eveningwear, knits and denim pieces. As well being the face of the range, Penelope will also contribute to the design, and has asked her sister, the equally stunning Mуnica Cruz, a TV actress in their native Spain, to help. Penelope, who is currently working on a film with Woody Allen, is the latest in a long line of female celebrities to put their names to high street brands. Others include Kate Moss for Topshop, Madonna for H&M, and Scarlett Johansson for Reebok.

PIA'S ARM CANDY

"IF a woman is investing in a handbag, then it has to be the best quality that it can possibly be, otherwise it's just cheating the customer," says Pia Tonna , whose namesake handbag collection won the UK Trade & Investment "Passport to Export" government-backed award for "Exceptional New Exporter" on Thursday night. "I am so excited to have won this - the Piatonna brand is now being sold in 23 countries and will be moving into Harrods, Fenwick and Fortnum & Mason for the first time with our autumn/winter collection." After studying fashion in the UK, Italian-based Tonna worked for fashion houses including Paul Smith and Chanel. "In the back of my mind I always wanted to design and one day I approached my manager at Chanel with my tail between my legs. I let her know I was going to start my own business and expected to get fired on the spot, but she was incredibly supportive. I stayed at my position there until the design side grew too large to focus on both jobs." Inspired by the fine craftsmanship of vintage designer clothes, Tonna's bags don't skimp on the details – quite the opposite. Totes feature several different types of animal skin – python exteriors, soft deerskin on strap undersides and laminate leather linings. "I love to spend hours at leather trade fairs to hunt out the most unusual skins. I don't care how much it costs, it has to be exceptional quality and it has to stand out. Handbag labels have such stiff competition now. I try to make mine as beautiful and original as possible." Bright rope piping and lasered gold leather inside bags do indeed add a luxurious touch to Tonna's products. "My favourite detail is the little cowbell on the side. It detaches, so you can use it as a keyring, and it's a useful way to find your bag if it's lost under a pile of coats. I know that because we were celebrating after the awards and having had a few cocktails, the bell came in handy!"