Behind the Seams: Chimala Denim

Everyone has wardrobe investments. You know, those pieces that despite their slightly higher price tag we deem worth it because of their impeccable construction and timeless appeal. Since our heritage is rooted in denim, we consider great jeans entirely splurge-worthy. And the amazing pairs crafted by NYC-based denim brand Chimala® definitely qualify. We went behind the seams with Noriko Machada, Chimala’s head designer.

Check out how Chimala’s head designer, Noriko Machada, effortlessly rocks double denim.

What makes Chimala denim different from other brands?

I closely follow vintage designs, styles and details and use only authentic selvedge denim, which is rare I think, especially for a women’s brand.  

What makes some denim pieces more expensive than others?

The denim used in my jeans is selvedge denim that is woven on pre-war vintage shuttle looms in a traditional way. Plus, there are a lot of processes our highly skilled artisans do by hand when washing and distressing.

Do you have any tips for how to keep jeans from fading and/or stretching out?

The best thing is not to wash them! But since you need to wash your denim sometimes to get rid of sweat and dust or dirt, you should always turn your jeans inside out, wash in cold water and use only a small amount of detergent if needed to prevent damaging the material. Hang dry in the shade; never tumble dry or dry clean. If the denim is not too dirty or if you want to bring the shape back from stretching, you can just give it a quick rinse and hang dry.

How do you like to wear denim?

I love denim on denim and mixing beat-up jeans with something more luxurious or feminine.

Do you have a favorite place to shop?

Definitely the Brooklyn Flea.

When you’re not wearing denim, you’re in…

Chinos, men’s trousers or military pants.

A Chimala look we love. Shop it here.

What Chimala pieces are you most excited about this season?

Chino shorts, denim shorts, our Camo Jacket and our Denim Ankle Pants.

Where do you find inspiration for your designs?

From actual vintage pieces or photo books of vintage clothes.

Hey Billie, You’re So Fine

Meet Billie. The newest boot in our collection, she will steal your heart with her rich, top-to-toe soft Italian suede and entirely walkable stacked heel. She likes to be worn with jeans, ladylike dresses and everything in between. We’re fairly certain this is one boot you won’t want to walk away from.

A French Import We Adore

When it comes to matters of style, we are avowed Francophiles. So when See by Chloé, the hip little sister of luxury ready-to-wear powerhouse Chloé, landed at chez Madewell, we were, in a word, ecstatic. And the timing couldn’t be more fortuitous: Chloé just celebrated their big 6-0 last fall with a retrospective at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris and a book devoted to the iconic label debuts this fall. Channeling the same insouciant free-spirit vibe of its big sis brand, See by Chloé® has been churning out offbeat-cool feminine pieces since 2001. And we’ve been quietly coveting all of them ever since. Now, a little piece of French fashion history can be all yours. Magnifique!

An Ode to Denim

To say we love denim would be kind of an understatement. Truth is, we’re obsessed. And we like to think we are aware of all things in the denim culture-sphere, from timeless denim icons like ’70s-era Cher or ’50s-era Marilyn, to jeans-related songs (ahem, “Blue Jean” by David Bowie), to, yes, even red carpet appearances (the so-bad-it’s-good Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake matching, head-to-toe denim at the 2001 American Music Awards). So it should come as no surprise that we spend a fair amount of time hitting up our own Denim Bar—with its myriad styles and washes, it’s basically a jean lover’s fantasy destination. 

Big Screen Love

We admit it, we love a great big-screen love story. And since Valentine’s Day is the ultimate occasion for celebrating mushy sentimentalism in all its various incarnations, we couldn’t think of a better time to pay homage to eight of our favorite lovey-dovey movies. We separated them for your convenience into comedy and tearjerker categories, so you know whether or not to have tissues handy.

(Be sure to take a break from Valentine’s viewing to enter our Pinterest sweeps with Rue La La for a chance to win $2,000 in gift cards!)

The Rom-Coms

When Harry Met Sally (1989)

Perhaps the greatest romantic comedy of all time. Written by the inimitable Nora Ehpron, with Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan playing the titular lovable failures at love, it asked the age-old question: Can men and women be friends without sex getting in the way? It also has pretty much the best scene ever filmed in a deli. (“I’ll have what she’s having.”)

Sixteen Candles (1984)

As one tagline said, “It’s the story of a girl who’s stuck with a guy who’s driving her crazy, and stuck on a guy she’s crazy about.” A year before reuniting for one of the most seminal teen flicks ever (The Breakfast Club), ’80s brat pack queen Molly Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall starred in this John Hughes high school romance classic. It’s really the ensemble cast—the sister on quaaludes, the inappropriate grandparents, the foreign-exchange student—that raised the comedic ante though.

Annie Hall (1977)

The epitome of a nervous romance, the (in our humble opinion) best Woody Allen film traces the ups and (mostly) downs of the equally neuroses-racked comedian Alvy Singer and his sometime girlfriend, singer/photographer/quirky dresser Annie Hall. As always, there are many Woody-isms to appreciate: “A relationship is like a shark—it has to constantly move forward or it dies. And I think what we have on our hands is a dead shark.”

Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)

No one plays the bumbling avowed bachelor quite like Hugh Grant. He’s Charlie in this British comedy revolving around a group of close friends as they attend, well, four weddings and a funeral together, each event  highlighting their own misfortune in the love department. It’s at one gathering that he meets the American woman Carrie (Andie MacDowell), who helps him change his ways.

The Rom-Crys

Love Story (1970)

“Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” The most famous line from this extreme tearjerker. Based on the hugely successful book by Erich Segal, it starred two of the decade’s most buzzed-about (and attractive) actors, Ali MacGraw and Ryan O’Neal, as the Ivy League couple in an ultimately ill-fated love story. When you’re not weeping, there is also style inspiration (think ’70s New England prep) aplenty to behold. 

Legends of the Fall (1994)

Of the many romantic quandaries to find yourself in, having three attractive brothers all madly in love with you doesn’t seem like such a bad one. But for Susannah (Julia Ormond) in this story set in the stunning Montana Rockies in the early 1900s, it would lead to jealousy, betrayal and, ultimately, tragedy. Not so tragic: Brad Pitt as the wild-natured youngest son Tristan, who is awfully easy on the eyes with his long shiny mane of golden hair.

An Affair to Remember (1957)

One of the original rom-crys, it is the forbearer of the tragic romance genre and the standard against which all future films should be compared. It’s so iconic, in fact, that it inspired a major plot point in ’90s big-screen romance Sleepless in Seattle. Starring the devastatingly handsome Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr, it tells the story of a man and woman who fall in love on a cruise and, though they are both engaged, agree to meet in six months at the top of the Empire State Building. But something goes wrong…

 Ghost (1990)

The soundtrack featuring the sweetest Righteous Brother’s ballad, “Unchained Melody.” That famous scene at the pottery wheel. The “ditto” response to declarations of love. Plus, of course, the gorgeous stars, Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore. Memorable moments abound in this movie about a man who comes back to his girlfriend as a ghost (with the help of medium Whoopi Goldberg).

Three Talented Ladies, Three Winter Escapes

As you can probably tell from the bikini picture, we’ve got vacation on the brain. We asked three of our favorite creative ladies whose work inspires us to spill their own winter getaway plans. And, because we couldn’t help ourselves, we had to know the one thing they always pack, no matter what the destination.

Mara Hoffman: Swimwear designer extraordinaire (aka, the genius brain behind the most amazingly covetable psych-art prints around)

Where are you headed for a winter escape?

I’m hoping to get away to Miami the second fashion week is over!

Is there anything you always like to travel with?

I have a weird thing where I have to wear a special bracelet when I fly.

Sadie Stein: Talented scribe, deputy editor of the Paris Review, bespectacled gal icon

Where are you headed for a winter escape?

I’m not typically a tropical-vacation kind of girl, but the recent frigid weather has everyone dreaming of sun. My dream getaway is something low-key and easy, like Florida’s Pine Island, a 17-mile refuge on the Gulf Coast that’s filled with charm and natural beauty. A weekend of reading and biking sounds just about perfect right about now.

Is there anything you always like to travel with?

Whenever I travel, I get a new perfume. Nothing expensive—in fact, samples are perfect for most vacations—but it needs to be something I’ve never worn before. I spray it on before I leave for the airport and immediately feel like my vacation has started. Later, whenever I smell that scent, it takes me immediately back to my trip. 

Shruti Rya Ganguly: Senior producer at MTV World, producer and director at James Franco’s Rabbit Bandini Productions, maker of music videos we actually want to watch

Where are you headed for a winter escape?

In the winter, I usually head home to Oman in the Middle East for a much-needed getaway. I get to see my family and friends for the holidays, and am by/in/under the sea almost every day whether I’m going for a jog, a swim or for some scuba diving. Oman is also the type of place where time is on your side and you can sit back, relax and recoup. 

Is there anything that you always like to travel with?

When I travel, I always take my diver’s log book so I can document my dives.