S
ure, school supplies can be fain. But
making some substantial additions
to the wardrobe is often the priority
for our fashion-conscious offspring.
And denim is hitting the school halls with a
vengeance.
From cropped styles exuding '50s-starlet
sophistication to flattering flares to hip-
hugging bootcuts (not too low: Britney
Spears' thong is so 2005), denim has come a
long way since Levi Strauss' functional inno-
vation. Now a designer's dream, it's among
the most versatile of creations — easily cooled
down with ballet flats and a tee or prettied up
with a cropped jacket, heels and jewels.
The one drawback: The effortless look
that a favorite pair offers belies how daunting
a task it can be to find them. No fears, says
Elaine Blumenfeld, owner with her husband,
Mark, of Rear Ends in West Bloomfield,
which carries 25 brands and stocks close
to 2,500 pairs. "There are a lot of different
bodies and a lot of different jeans," she says.
"The No.1 tip to getting a great fit is really
having someone knowledgeable help you." So
we asked some of the best shops in the busi-
ness to help us dress four local high-school
students who finished up their homework in
time to have some fun.
TI
BI-ST PART
OF I IEADI\G
BACK TO SCI 100L?
SI lOPPI\G!
David (below) is wearing Gavin jeans by Silver ($69), Drowning Fish
tee shirt by Agui ($53) and green zip-up sweatshirt by Eisbar ($149), all
from Chaud Jeans.
Brooke and Lucy (opposite page) love their jeans. For details on what
they're wearing, see page 27.
PHOTOGRAPHED ON LOCATION AT THUNDERBIRD
LANES, TROY (248-362-1660). MAKEUP.: AINIEE
LAPRATT: TODD'S ROOM, BIRMINGHAM
(248-594-0003). SHOES: THUNDERBIRD LANES.
Name:
Lucy Keller
Age: 15 years old
School: Birmingham Seaholm
Hebrew School: Congregation Shir Tikvah, Troy
Hobbies: theater, volleyball, listening to iPod and
talking to friends "non-stop" online
Name:
Brooke Sells
Age: 15 years old
School: Birmingham Seaholm
Hobbies: swimming, lacrosse, golf and wakeboarding
Name:
Emily Weisman
Age: 15 years old
School: Birmingham Groves
Hebrew School: Temple Israel, West Bloomfield
Hobbies: softball, swimming and listening to music
Name:
David Inwald
Age: 15 years old
School: Birmingham Groves
Hobbies: track, football and photography
JNPLATINUM • AUGUST 200 6 •
25