20 of the best new denim

Recently, designers have been giving denim the mother of all make-overs. It may segue neatly into the trend for all things 1970s but the original workwear is capable of so much more - as SS15 is amply demonstrating. Raw-edged, dip dyed, embellished, denim rules. On the catwalk, Burberry trimmed fitted denim jackets with feathers; Dolce & Gabbana drew denim into its defined aesthetic by covering boyfriend jeans with crystals; denim was a key ingredient of hippy-style at Sonia Rykiel and Gucci; it was sculpted, tailored and worn head-to-toe at Fendi and Michael Kors. Breakthrough label Marques’ Almeida still leads the way. Central Saint Martins-trained Marta Marques and Paulo Almeida cut the fabric into oversized kimono jackets, leave it raw or dye it pink, shape it into halter necks tops and boyfriend jeans with huge turn-ups. But for something more streamlined, take inspiration from Tomas Maier. The creative director of Bottega Veneta creates elegant, easy-going silhouettes that still, quietly, take you by surprise. The only tip to get into denim this season? Avoid the familiar and go straight for the extraordinary - the statement denim jacket, the dungaree dress, the jumpsuit and the wide-legged culotte, the embellished and worried. Here’s my pick of pieces out there now. Get yourself a cup of tea. The list is long ….