VDR Show - Virginia Tech 2024

Mitchell Jennings

Mitchell is an young entrepreneur from Salem VA.

Brand Design

Broken Denim is the brand I am building. The instagram is @brokendenimdesigns. Broken Denim is as simple as its title. It is salvaged, old denim creations that are repaired and modified through modern, traditional, and personal techniques. Through my love of vintage denim and fashion, I was able to combine my passion for creation and design. With this, I’ve been able to bring a new life to pieces that may have otherwise been overlooked. Every piece 1 of 1.

Design One

For the outfit Garrett will be modeling, I created a boxy-fitting jacket with drop shoulders and extended arms made out of quilted chambray. It has two hand pockets and is cinched with a rope drawstring in order to allow personal preferences. For the pants, they are a vintage pair of jeans distressed and darned all over. I added large flares to give an over sized stack, along with reversed and distressed back pockets. The bag is denim patchwork selectively picked from heavy fade areas of denim pants with a golden silk liner and interior pockets.

Design Two

For Raimondo he is wearing a cropped, darted tan button-up with accented patchwork and printed black flowers, and “BLOOM” printed across the front. With his pants they are a sun faded black pair of jeans that I installed zippers to the bottom inseams to allow a preferred flaring over shoes. I also added a stitched pleat down the front legs to make the pants slightly slimmer. It is decorated with hand-stitched patchwork, matching the shirt.

The tie is made out of black, faded and printed on denim that has been cut and patched.

Bry is wearing an oversized rolled pair of vintage jeans that have been altered. I added 2 lace overlay panels to both legs. I replaced 1 of the back pockets with the same lace overlay and moved the pocket to the front right thigh. There are silver accents all throughout the pants including a swinging chain across the front and metal studs on the thigh pocket, as well as silver-white lace-styled zippers to both inseams allowing preferred flare. The pink accent above the left thigh’s lace is a product called Chenille-It. For her top, she is wearing an over-cropped and darted military jacket that has been printed with shiny silver flowers throughout and a large “BLOOM” on the back. Under the jacket is a black tube top made from a T-shirt with “BLOOM” printed in silver on the front.

Design Inspiration

I draw my inspiration and ideas similarly to how I described my brand. Given my love for denim, I often draw inspiration from the piece (salvaged garments)and its life lived before. Through this, I can see how its natural beauty and patina can be used freely. Mostly relying on colors, fades, and their compatibility.