Photo: Hardy Klahold

Custom Jean Jacket

When Ball Arena approached me to design a super custom piece for a super-secret client, I could hardly believe it. After all, the custom piece was for THE Shania Twain. As in, the country crossover star who transcended genres to dominate the pop music charts, too. As in, the Canadian singer-songwriter whose tunes were the soundtrack of the 90s and early 2000s. THAT Shania Twain.

Needless to say, I wanted to impress her much.

Creating a custom jean jacket especially for Shania Twain meant designing a personalized piece both inspired by her and featuring my signature Brooks LTD elements. I watched her interviews and pulled out specific words and phrases Shania used. It is my sincere hope these words resonate with her and that she enjoys the personalization as much as the jacket itself.

Design Details Matter

Using a Japanese technique called Sashiko stitching, I created hand-stitched details. Sashiko, a traditional way of mending and decorating textiles to further their life span to prevent them from going into the landfill, has captivated my spirit as it is relaxing and therapeutic to slow down and stitch where the thread takes me. Sashiko is also in my current collection, with rivers of thread stitched on easy to wear garments.

Shania’s custom jean jacket is made from recycled denim, including functional pockets on the frayed-edge stylized sleeves. Even the former belt loops were upcycled to hold sunglasses! The jacket includes a custom printed silk charmeuse lining and backside fringe created from tasteful sequins on cotton chainette thread for some Western flair. I wanted the front to be classic, chic and tailored, so that Shania could accessorize as needed. As you turn, she shows off a playful vibe from the color changing sequins.

Jacket Spotted on Instagram

I noticed she recently wore the jean jacket on an Instagram video with Billy Ray Cyrus announcing a reissue of one of her iconic albums. It’s thrilling to see Shania Twain as a walking piece of art in a Brooks LTD custom made jean jacket!

Proud of Pieces: Custom or Not

As a Colorado-based clothing designer, I love getting to design and create custom pieces for women across the globe. After 45+ years of making unique fashions, my designs are typically worn by women right here in the West. It is a joy whenever women happily wear Brooks LTD fashions — both custom pieces and from my ready-to-wear collections!

Brooks Luby wearing her own upcycled jacket showing off Shania Twain’s custom denim jacket

The post Shania Twain’s Custom Jean Jacket appeared first on Brooks Ltd.

“Eco-Friendly” fashion  is no longer a term only associated with laundry detergents and household cleaners. We’re in an era of conscious consuming where buyers are regularly seeking out brands in all areas that value and promote sustainability and ethical practices.  The clothing industry is no exception. With the knowledge that “fast” fashion is ranked as one of the biggest contributors to CO2 emissions, water pollution and waste from unused textiles – makers within the industry are seeking ways to change those results.

Upcycling Style Eco-Friendly Fashion

Upcycled fashion is a way designers can create more eco-friendly clothing. It involves using post-consumer waste or used textiles to create new and unique pieces. This approach to sustainability in fashion is gaining speed! Taking clothing or fabric destined for the landfill and recycling it into something new and beautiful to wear creates a circular loop of consumption. It offers shoppers an ethical option to achieve their style goals.

Upcycled Fashion vs Luxury Upcycling

Using the highest quality fabrics and designer clothing to create new pieces makes standard upcycling luxe. Luxury upcycling is having a moment in fashion 2022.  High end designers are seeing the value this approach. Not only are customers getting a beautiful item made from recycled fabric, but designers are leaving a smaller footprint on the environment. It’s a win-win. Sustainable style is here to stay.

Current Trends at Brooks LTD

Here at Brooks Ltd., creating ethical and sustainable women’s clothing has long been a goal of ours. Our approach to luxury upcycling involves utilizing high-quality deadstock fabric, vintage textiles like tablecloths, and even clothing with sentimental value to design new pieces to wear and enjoy. Our latest collection beautifully combines old and new fabrics. We’ve created dusters (the perfect topper to any outfit) and vests out of a cotton/spandex Ponte fabric and a gorgeous jacquard. Details like hand stitching on the surface and deadstock lace insets add artistic interest.

Both the duster, linen toppers and the vest are ideal for layering over outfits. The simplicity of a black tee and jeans sets off these special, sustainable pieces perfectly. But you can also glam up these environmentally-friendly styles by wearing them over a little black dress or a pleated trouser and a silky top. Style and sustainability make our pieces easy to enjoy. Next time you’re looking to add something to your wardrobe, consider one of our luxurious upcycled pieces. You and Mother Earth will both enjoy the results.

The post Eco Friendly Fashion appeared first on Brooks Ltd.

Denim dress done differently with a tencel fiber seems to be a new theme for my brand.

“The (tencel) fibers originate from the renewable raw material wood, created by photosynthesis. The certified biobased fibers are manufactured using an environmentally responsible production process. The fibers are certified as compostable and biodegradable, and thus can fully revert back to nature.”

 https://www.tencel.com

As a result, tencel now becomes a sustainable fabric! TENCEL™ branded cellulosic fibers define a new standard of sustainability and natural comfort.  Also known as tencel lyocell.

Three new denim designs

Designing 3 different pieces incorporating denim gives  a new sense of awareness for my love of denim.  This caftan shape tencel dress  has movement in the body. Of course there are pockets to hold your necessary items.  It’s carefree, casual and comfortable for hanging around the house as well as going to beach.  The open arms has a peak a boo effect without baring too much skin.

The second one is a turtleneck style that is draped  into a tencel cocoon dress. A cocoon, it’s just that– you feel like curling up as if you were inside a cocoon.  With the turtleneck sleeve and neck element it protects you from the elements of mother nature when changing weather  arrives.  I’ve detailed it with hand stitching along the sleeve line giving it a slow fashion feeling.  Something I like to do in front the the TV on cold winter nights.

Lastly is a sweatshirt shape. This design on tencel has been treated with a pinkish color to create colorful, artful shapes along  the hipline.  As a result, separate appliques are stitched onto the garment on top of the pinkish dyed color in the garment.

See these pieces and purchase them in my shop here.

I trust denim will follow my branding as the new year develops.

The post Denim Dress Done Differently with a Tencel fiber appeared first on Brooks Ltd.

I woke up this morning with these thoughts from the Beatles song:

The Magical Mystery Tour is hoping to take you away
Hoping to take you away

Hoping to take you away…..

Read more about it here.   I’ve taken a familiar fabric, added a tye dye effect and 3 dimensional appliqués to create an interesting look.  I already know this shape is a good one as I’ve used and sold it in the past seasons.

ONE SIZE FITS MOST!

See this item and more on my shop page here.

Please follow along with me on this magical mystery tour I have a feeling it’s going to last for quite sometime.

Here’s to your well being and new beginnings that speak to you in these unusual times.

Cheers,

Brooks

The post Magical Mystery Tour appeared first on Brooks Ltd.

Creative thinking.

Sometimes I get so involved in the product I forget how versatile my items can be.

Read a recent blog by Jodi’s Touch of Style  

Thanks for the shout out.

The post Chiffon Skirt Paired with Denim Jacket appeared first on Brooks Ltd.