CBL and Miles Johnson champion light wear for heavy impact
Pakistani denim manufacturer Crescent Bahuman (CBL) recently released a new collection, Lighter Touch, alongside UK-based design consultant Miles Johnson.
Inspired by a Californian feel, the range, created from traceable cotton and recycled fibres, was described as one which harks back to a “vintage” era, particularly a time when lighter washes were more celebrated.
Fittingly, the mill has created four new shades: Natural Earth (a “natural” colour with a green cast ecru weft), Az Ocean (a mid-shade with an ecru weft), By River (a French light indigo with an ecru weft) and E Z Sky (a greyish light indigo shade with, also with an ecru weft).
Developed using CBL’s third party-certified Naya Denim indigo-dyeing process, which reportedly results in water savings of 98.5% and skips pre- and post-wash manufacturing steps to minimise both energy and chemicals, the partners emphasised the need for shoppers to “take utmost care” of their denim post-purchase by choosing to handwash the fabric and even allow it to dry in natural sunlight.
Mr Johnson explained: “Until 1971, nothing was washed. Rigid, unwashed denim in much lighter shades was the only option for 98 years. Worn-in naturally from new is the look we have all been wastefully trying to replicate. This natural wear is not only the most unique experience, but also perhaps the kindest thing you can do to a jean.
“The natural wear increased the strength of the fabric, but also does not waste water, chemicals or energy in processing, as it simply requires wearing [to get the effect]."
Vice president of strategy at the mill, Zaki Saleemi, added: “The story of each denim article is crafted exclusively by its user, whereas the resilience and eco-friendly elements of this product make it stand out from the rest. Each pair of jeans in the Lighter Touch collection will have a unique emotional value for its wearer."
Women’s styles include a cropped taper leg, high wide fit, bootcut, skinny boot and very slim. For men, the collaborators have produced 1970s and 1990s-style, five-pocket jeans, plus cropped and baggy five-pocket versions. A unisex pullover hooded jacket also features.
Catch up on a conversation Mr Johnson had with fellow denim designers and consultants Malin Ekengren and Sue Barrett for Inside Denim in our Dialogue section here.
Image: Crescent Bahuman/Miles Johnson.
