"We ve been wanting to do denim for ages," said Preen s Justin Thornton at the label s New York City showroom, in town for a few days from London. Thornton and his other half, Thea Bregazzi, believed that Preen Line, their "rock-and-roll" secondary line, was a logical way to move into the category. So they dedicated their first-ever Preen Line Resort collection to denim.
Two pairs of jeans kicked off the collection: one skinny, one boyfriend, both patched up for a look inspired by Ali MacGraw: The Steve McQueen Years. (While Thornton and Bregazzi are often taken with MacGraw, it was specifically about her and McQueen together this time.) A denim button-up skirt was done in two lengths—one above the knee, the other below it for a more seventies feel; a chambray popover dress was made in both a light wash and indigo, as was a sleeveless denim shirtdress. A bomber had extra-long ribbing at the bottom for a new look, while a shirt was embroidered with flowers.
To go with all that denim, Thornton and Bregazzi made ruffled silk blouses, the prettiest in red with a contrasting white placket. There were white T-shirts, too—denim s ultimate companion—made unique with either an open back or a contrasting strip of fabric on the pocket.
But while Thornton and Bregazzi want this collection to complement Preen Line s fancier Fall and Spring pieces—not to mention the hip frocks they design for the main line—there were a few statements that stood on their own, too. The georgette trompe l oeil pieces—a pair of elastic-waist pants printed with a pair of jeans, a slipdress that looked like it was made from a long denim skirt—had a clever attitude.
