One of our favorite Fall washes this year is the Almas Zip Skinny in Claret because of its rich hue. The wash’s color tone derives from the color story boards made by our head designer Jennifer Wojinski. Jennifer explained to us that she collects photos into an inspiration file for each season, and then pulls the colors she finds from each photo. “It’s actually quite fun to see what colors I can pull out of a photo,” Jennifer says, “All of the stories eventually get integrated into one final palette. But the photos that you see here are the lens through which I choose the color story to create the overall mood for each season.”

Find a few color stories that inspired the Almas Zip Skinny in Claret below and more on our Pinterest.

Recently debuted in NYLON Magazine’s Young Hollywood issue on Bella Heathcoate, our Amaranth ultra hi rise skinny in graffiti print is the stunning exception this season, not the rule. We have seen floral denim everywhere this season, but to really stand apart from the crowd, incorporate patterned pieces into your wardrobe that are as unique and beautiful as you are. We have created a new, edgy patterned denim that is truly one-of-a-kind.

We asked HABITUAL Design Director Jennifer Wojinski about how she came up with this unique pattern. Jennifer explains, “Most brands choose to go with standard floral motifs or ikats. We completely followed our inspiration and desire to be different and created a unique print instead of just following the crowd…we do prints, but we do it our way.”

Wojinski also shares that she saw beyond the standard florals and took the fashion road less traveled with a graffiti print inspired by the Surrealist art movement, which also happens to be the inspiration for the HABITUAL Fall 2012 Collection. This particular print was custom designed and is not only one-of-a-kind and produced exclusively by HABITUAL, but every pair is truly an original as each pant’s pattern is unique and different from the next. Within the print you’ll find feathers, eyes, words, numbers, text and more that help to create and express the ‘magical’ world of HABITUAL…it even contains the HABITUAL name…see if you can find it!

Where to find your own pair:

Amaranth ultra hi rise skinny in graffiti print comes in white, grey and red and will be available exclusively at Scoop locations in NYC at the Meatpacking and SoHo locations and at Scoop’s new Brentwood location. (Amaranth will be available in stores May 15.)

SCOOP NYC Meatpacking
430 West 14th Street
(at Washington Street)
New York, NY 10014
212.691.1905

SCOOP NYC Soho
473 – 475 Broadway
(Between Broome and Grand Streets)
New York, NY 10013
212.925.3539

SCOOP Brentwood
216 26^th Street
Brentwood, CA
424.238.5499

We were in New York for Coterie this past week, a twice annual show attracting over 1300 high-end apparel, footwear and accessories lines to the Javits Center. On the racks this time was our Spring 2012 line, the first full collection by our Design Director, Jennifer Wojinski. Some of our favorite East Coast buyers, bloggers and editors got the first look at new styles and washes, including a brand new Italian “crackle coating” (Shhh! Don’t tell!), new colorways for our sold out “Color Coated Denim” from fall, wide leg trousers, colored denim in fresh, solid tones, and shorts in lightweight super soft cotton blends. We were completely thrilled by the reaction to the new styles and we can’t wait for you to see them, too!

But aside from work (and shopping), one of our favorite fringe benefits from a trip to New York is, of course, eating. After Coterie one night, we decided to see exactly what Michelin Star bar food tastes like at The Spotted Pig. This West Village gastropub, affectionately known as ‘The Pig,’ was started by British import April Bloomfield, formerly of Chez Panisse, who also runs John Dory Oyster Bar and the Ace Hotel’s Breslin, and serves seasonal British and Italian fare made with local ingredients.

Décor, assembled by co-owner Ken Friedman, is a mix of dark woods, even darker velvet drapes, walls of porcine artwork, and a pressed tin ceiling, which lends an air of British… intimacy. The place is always packed (the New York Times called it a gastromelee), and it certainly took us out of the airy, spacey comfort zone we enjoy in Los Angeles.

After sitting, we started with their oft-imitated Devils on Horseback – sweet, soft prunes wrapped in crisp bacon (pork seemed like the natural choice) – which are a nice diversion from the usual bacon wrapped dates you can find anywhere. Another famous dish is the fresh ricotta Gnudi, in heaps of butter and sage. For mains we picked skirt steak with summer veggies and chili, along with a juicy pub burger smothered in Roquefort. Even if you aren’t a beer drinker, wax nostalgic and try their true English-style ale, hand pumped from casks hidden behind the bar. Perfect after a long day on your feet.

Opened in 2005, this place is very likely the reason why “gastropub” has entered the food lexicon, and why casual bar meets comfort food establishments have sprouted on nearly every corner. We think it was worth the wait, and the people watching, one of our favorite pastimes, is superb. The “tight” atmosphere only means you get a front row seat.

The Spotted Pig
314 West 11th (at Greenwich St.)
New York, NY 10014

Here is a sneak peak of the Harrison Ultra Hi Rise Bell Bottom in Iris, a  new style from the HABITUAL Spring 2012 line, which picks up on both the 70’s and high waisted trends. We’re excited because Spring 2012 marks the first full HABITUAL collection for our Design Director, Jennifer Wojinski. We’ve also selected the Harrison, and this particular shot, to serve as the opener for our Spring 2012 look book, which just went off to the printers.

There is big news coming from the HABITUAL brand for the spring season - we’re launching a line of premium men’s denim.

HABITUAL saw a void in the marketplace for a sophisticated, handcrafted men’s jean. The line is all about clean, modern, “city-inspired” looks and Handmade in USA craftsmanship. In the words of Design Director Jennifer Wojinski, “It’s a very tailored and sophisticated look with a European aesthetic. It’s more of a city look than the vintage look a lot of other brands are going for these days.”

Fit and Wash:

We’ve chosen a comfortable, higher rise that sits right at the hips, going against the trend of lower rise denim that has been prevalent the past several years. You’ll be able to find slim straight, straight, skinny, and relaxed boot fits, along with denim trousers and jackets. We are focusing on medium indigo, dark indigo, grey and black washes. You will also see a hand-applied black pigment coating, available on the skinny fit and the jacket, lending a leathery, rock & roll inspired feel. Some designs will have a minimal amount of hand-distressing.

Craftsmanship:

All of the looks will be hand crafted and hand finished in HABITUAL’s Los Angeles Factory with as little machinery as possible. The designs are cut from the best European denim fabrics, and laundering is done by denim artisans. We use fair labor practices at all levels of the production process.

How can you spot HABITUAL Men’s Denim?

We’ve opted away from aggressive embellishments and focused on a few subtle identifiers that will set HABITUAL Men’s apart and signify premium craftsmanship.

For most of the men’s line, you will find our signature Glory pocket in the front, on the coin pocket, along with a white contrast stitching that stretches up to the waistband. We are featuring both button and zipper flies, all with custom hardware and rivets. In back, you’ll see a leather patch stamped with the HABITUAL logo and tucked neatly underneath the top seam of the pocket, along with a white bartack on the back center belt loop. Inside, an artist-designed pocket lining features a skull, a crying eye, and an architectural arch along with a variety of text elements. Reinforced seams feature a black binding with the word “Believe” subtly visible.

The Fine Print:

The line will be available at retail in January 2012 at specialty department and specialty stores, retailing from $175 to $195 for basic washes, $225 for looks with hand distressing, and up to $325 for premium selvage. The denim jackets will retail at $275, except for one with calf leather sleeves, which will run $575.

Buyers and editors can get a true first look at the line at ENK, in Las Vegas, August 22-24th. You Can Find HABITUAL at booth number 11015. To make an appointment, please contact Christina Zamarripa at christina.zamarripa@pmkbnc.com.

There isn’t much that gets us more excited than talking to people. It’s just part of our personality. So we’re embracing our talkative side by introducing a new series called “5* Questions”, an ongoing feature where we ask some of our favorite denimheads, media personalities, and even celebs about their personal style, hidden talents, and of course their daily habits.

So who is first? None other than our own Jennifer Wojinski, Design Director for HABITUAL. In the design world, you’ll have a tough time finding someone who knows more about denim. She developed a particular fondness for vintage denim and Levi’s in her early 20’s, while part owner of a vintage clothing shop. She studied art history at Sonoma State University before going on to complete a fashion degree at FIDM. Jennifer has spent her whole design career in the jeans business, and comes to HABITUAL after stints at LEI, True Religion, Juicy Couture, William Rast and Dylan George. She grew up in Humboldt County, outside San Francisco.

*It’s actually seven. The fifth question is a two-parter and we will always have a bonus question.

New York or Los Angeles, and why?

Los Angeles, of course! I love visiting New York - amazing vibe, culture, food and people, but in Los Angeles I feel more at home, closer to nature and I can catch my breath even when it’s hectic. 

Give us a sense of your personal style?

Right now it’s kind of ‘grungy goth’… lots of black, slouchy layers, and I always wear boots. I’m a child of the 90’s. 

You’re best known for your work in fashion design, but what do you consider your greatest talent?

Pig training! I grew up in the country, raised animals and my favorite animals were my pigs. I had to train them in order to show and sell them at the local county fair. I bought my first car with my pig cash at the age of 15.

What’s your daily habit?

5am coffee and exercise: gym, yoga or a walk.

 What’s one thing in your closet you could never give up? And what’s your go-to piece in the closet right now?

I could never give up my 70’s scallop patchwork leather jacket. My go to pieces right now are actually shoes, my Dr. Martens or my black bumper booties from Opening Ceremony.

BONUS: James Bond or Jason Bourne?

Jason Bourne