LOS ANGELES, Mar 21, 2006/ FW/ --- The opening of the Cotton Incorporated booth today at Smashbox Studios coincided with the Los Angeles season’s Denim Day, wherein 4 shows were dedicated to jeans and its accessories.

The leaflet that was being distributed at the Cotton Inc booth listed the different finishes for denim including ‘antique’ that was defined as ‘a finish achieved through sanding and washing, which gives an aged look to the garment. Antique is also a type of ring denim in which the yarn is strongly uneven.’

Whether the name ‘Antik Denim’ is a play on the finish or the type of ring denim, or both, it is very hard to tell during their 20-min catwalk show, wherein at least half of it was a ‘guitar solo.’

The show that followed was a fast-paced models’ parade that featured male, female and children wearing the latest collection from Antik Denim.

Proposing a wide range of looks for jeans – low rise, natural waist, slim or relaxed fit, cargo style or bell bottoms, Antik Denim got the jeans look down pat. Unfortunately, it just ended there.

Tops and blouses were literally non-existent with the female models wearing bras (yes, as in underwear) that were disguised as bustier by adding strips of chiffon or fishnet worn as body stockings.

There were a few denim jackets and bolero-inspired coats that were proposed, but except for the denim jackets, the coats and blouses looked like ‘after thoughts’ and there was no ‘look’ that was planned from the beginning.

To be fair, the denim jackets were to die for with their beaded-style studs and rivets that showed different designs from a skull to crosses. And it goes without saying that the denim jeans will definitely sell when they hit store shelves and online at the newly opened Antik Denim e-commerce site, www.antikdenimstore.com

But the tops, blouses and feminine coats and jackets could still use sometime on the drawing board.

So, in a way, sending the female models just wearing ‘bras’ that tried to impersonate bustiers made sense. But, instead of sending the message, ‘look at the jeans,’ the styling looked like a half-baked inspiration.