Ksenia Schnaider Vika Jeans with Fringed Cutouts

The hem is the design. A jean hem is normally the most finished part of the garment, chain-stitched and turned so that it survives being walked on for years. Opening it into cutouts and letting the cut edges fringe does the opposite: it takes the one part built to resist wear and lets it come apart on purpose, in a pattern rather than at random. The rest of the trouser is straightforward, which is what makes it wearable. High through the waist, loose through the leg, and grey rather than blue, which is a cast that lets a distressed hem read as a decision instead of as damage.

Distressing is usually applied to a jean to make it look old. This is applied to make a shape, which is a different intention entirely and a much rarer one.

Taking apart what denim already is, rather than adding to it, is what this house does, and a hem opened into cutouts is the smallest and clearest version of it.

One hundred percent cotton, made in Ukraine. High-waisted, loose fit, with a cut-out fringed hem. Color: Grey.

High through the rise, so the waist is where the fit is decided and the leg is cut loose below it. Denim has no give, so choose for the waist and expect the hip to follow. The fringed hem lengthens the apparent leg slightly, since the eye reads the fringe as part of the trouser.

With the Denim Jacket with Denim Fur Collar. With the Melange Knit Dress worn as a layer over the top, which is a better idea than it sounds. Flat boots rather than a shoe that competes with the hem.

This is a washed denim and not a raw one, so there is no argument for leaving it unwashed. Wash it inside out and cool and dry it out of a hot machine, which is what keeps the fringe from working further up the leg than the maker intended. Our care guidance covers the rest.

The Flare Jeans in Dark Grey are a flared leg rather than a loose one, the Wide Jeans with Rust Wash carry side splits, and the Reworked Wide Jeans are upcycled denim cut wide. Everything we carry from Ksenia Schnaider is listed together.