January 16, 2012
After a full three months, everyone — our customers, Twitter followers (shout out to @jonespauli in Sweden), our employees— are really getting into the Clean Start project. We grabbed a few closeups on the wear patterns developing on our owner, Caleb’s jeans. The image on the left shows wear from his phone and belt (along the waistline). The back shows wear from his wallet, which is pretty defined. It appears to be resting at the exact same angle every day, unlike his phone in the front pocket. Pretty amazing how daily habits can make an impact on denim.
Here’s a check in from the rest of our Clean Start crew:
Leave us a comment and let us know what you think about the denim progress. Do you post about your raw denim online? Send us a link!
January 5, 2012
Meet Ashley Smith, our local tattoo artist participating in the Clean Start project.
Ashley has been kicking around in a pair of Nudie Tight Long Johns for the past two months during our Clean Start project. They’ve already shown some serious wear, most notably from the pocket knife in her back pocket.
Chances are that pocket will not hold up much longer.
We’re really digging the splashes of Kilz primer on the side too.
It’s been interesting to see how interconnected all of our participants are in the Oklahoma City community. Recently, we visited No Regrets to see Ashley working on another one of our clean start participants, Jerry Willis.
This piece is actually an original by one of her favorite artists; Jerry spotted the piece in her booth when he was getting a previous tattoo. They joke that he will end up getting all the art on her wall tattooed on his body at some point. That might not be a bad idea!
 Ashley: Nudie Tight Long Johns; fishing lures inspire Ashley's jewelry line; St. Rita is always her pocket; Tattoo ink in Thunder blue; black Converse Take a peek at a few of Ashley’s recent projects. She posts photos of her work on her instagram account (username: inkordie) regularly.
December 14, 2011
We never get tired of seeing these monthly updates, hopefully you don’t either. After one third of the 6 month project, each pair of denim has started to develop character trends. We are seeing wear from phones, wallets, pocket knifes, and repetitive movements. We’ve even had to make a few repairs, which we’ve tried to catalog in our Clean Start Candids album on Facebook.
For those readers outside of Oklahoma City, we’ve been experiencing some pretty typical fall/winter weather with highs in the 50s and lows in the 30s and getting colder. Everyone is breaking out the flannel and boots and scarves and we don’t mind at all. The winterwear made for colorful photos this month.
Without further adieu, Clean Start Month 2…
Amy
Eric
Jacob
Caleb
Ashley
Dusty
Rusty
Tyler
Tiffany
Heady
Brett
Lauren
Ben
Jonn
Andrew
Charlie
December 6, 2011
We’re lucky to have so many talented people participating in our Clean Start project. As previously mentioned, we wanted to highlight some of our Clean Starters individually in feature posts or, in this case, a how-to post.
Jonn is a barista at the always enjoyable Elemental Coffee Roasters. Elemental isn’t exclusively a cafe, they also roast their own beans, which are distributed to a variety of businesses around Oklahoma City. Jonn gets to see a bean go from freshly roasted straight to a cup of goodness. That’s pretty neat.
During the Clean Start project, Jonn’s rockin a pair of Nudie Grim Tim’s with his Ray Ban Wayfarers and Bed Stu Rider boots. When he’s not brewing joe, he can be seen playing music under the name Teen Dream.
We asked Jonn to walk us through the perfect coffee brewing process.
Start with 210 degree water.
After placing a filter in its holder, rinse the filter with hot water to eliminate any taste residues from the paper filter. Dispose of any water used in the rinsing process and places the filter in holder on top of a carafe.
Grind 28 grams of Elemental Coffee beans.
Pour the grounds into the dampened filter/holder.
Elemental uses weight measurement as a way to ensure consistency and the best brew. After placing the grounds/filter/carafe on a digital scale, zero out the scale to measure only the weight of the water that will be poured in this next step.
Pour 60 grams of water evenly over the grounds. This should saturate the grounds and bloom.
Let the coffee bloom for one minute (a little less if it was roasted more than a week ago).
Then, pour more water in small circles until the scale reads 415 grams.
Sit back and watch the coffee brew and drip into the carafe.
After a few minutes, the dripping will cease… leaving perfectly brewed coffee.
Now, enjoy.
This is Jonn. He’s a Clean Start participant and he’s serious about his coffee.
November 21, 2011
After one month of wear, our Clean Starters are still loving their denim. Yay! We’re also starting to see some great wear patterns on a few of the pairs (especially on knees and back pockets).
Since we have a large number of participants, we’ll be selecting a handful of people to feature each month. With each post, we’ll include the previous month’s photos for comparison. Don’t worry, we’ll recap all of our participants & their denim at the end of the 6 months.
And, here it is… Month 1!
Tiffany
Lindsay
Johnn
Jacob
Heady
Eric
Jerry
Caleb
Ben
Ashley
Amy
For more frequent updates from our Clean Starters, Blue Seven & denim lovers, follow tag #B7CleanStart on Twitter.
October 18, 2011
Clean Start is a Blue Seven project about the progressive deconstruction of raw denim.
Raw denim is a dark blue, grey or black pair of heavy, unwashed and untreated jeans. If worn regularly without being washed, the jeans will begin to mirror the personality of the wearer with holes, distressing, and fading based on their every day activity.
Clean Start is our way of illustrating this. We’ve chosen 19 individuals from all walks of life around OKC. Each will wear a pair of raw denim, six out of seven days/week without washing them for the next six months. All of our denim-wearers have different jobs and lifestyles that will slowly give their jeans their own separate characteristics. We’ll be documenting the monthly changes with photographs and conclude the six months with an in-store denim show where everyone can experience how each pair of jeans has grown to reflect the individual that wore them.
Meet the people…..
A former professional cyclist, Jerry spins pies and manages the Wedge Pizza in Deep Deuce. The Slacker Jack Nudies that he’s wearing, 11.5 oz and 2% lycra stretch, fit well with his active lifestyle at work and at home with his two kids. Due to our Truffle Shuffle addiction, we’ll probably be checking in with Jerry on location at least weekly. By day, Ashley’s a talented tattoo artist at No Regrets in the Plaza District. By night, she’s co-owner of Brass Bell studios, which regularly features local artists (some of which are doing Clean Start). Ashley is wearing Nudie’s Tight Long Johns. Whether creating graffiti installations (see here and here) or producing some of the best tees in OKC at Tree & Leaf Clothing Company, Dusty will be wearing a pair of 511 Levi’s in Raw Grey for the next 6 months. We think his daily interaction with spraypaint and ink will put his jeans in the running against Ashley for most colorful.
Dusty on Twitter: @trudustWhen asked his aspirations, Johnn mentioned that he would like to move to London to be a male model/musician. We secretly hope that he changes his mind… our morning coffee at Elemental Coffee Roasters wouldn’t be the same without him. He’s a barista that assists with producing Elemental’s signature coffee beans… jeans that are most likely to have a distinct (coffee) fragrance maybe? Johnn’s wearing Nudie’s Grim Tims. Heady is a longtime customer of Blue 7, he even blogs about some of our products on his website, helloheady.com. His “Go Win” philosophy is inspiring to everyone that he meets, including all of us here at Blue Seven. Heady is wearing Rebel, by Cult Jeans.
Heady on Twitter: @helloheadyWe can always count on Jacob to take a project seriously & he’s definitely taking Clean Start seriously. Jacob’s jeans, Naked & Famous’ Elephant Skin at 22 oz, are the toughest to break in (thus, the elephant skin name), but should yield one of the best patinas. Jacob’s pretty much at Blue Seven every day, don’t hesitate to stop him & talk denim.
Caleb is not only the owner of Blue Seven, he’s also a denim connoisseur. He’s the reason that Blue Seven carries raw denim and organized this whole Clean Start project. He’s wearing Naked & Famous’ Weird Guy in left hand twill and, along with Jacob, he’s decided to photograph his jeans daily instead of monthly. When he’s not at Blue Seven, he’s spending time with his lovely wife and cute little boy.
Caleb tweets for Blue Seven: @blue_7Lauren is always a joy to see behind the counter at our frequent sweets destination, Cuppies & Joe. When we were fitting her in jeans, she said that she hoped her jeans smell like cupcakes. Wouldn’t that be sweet? Lauren’s wearing Nudie’s Tight long johns. Ben Hill is a musician, worship leader and on-staff comedian here at Blue Seven. This guy has never met a stranger. Another participant in Clean Start mentioned that Ben reminded her that “Wealth comes from the people in your life…” We like that. Ben’s wearing Nudie’s Grim Tims in Dry Recycled. Ben on Twitter:
@benhillmusic Ben’s website: www.benhillmusic.comThere isn’t enough space to list all of the activities that our next Clean Starter, Eric, is involved in. Primarily, he’s an art teacher at Putnam City West, where he coaches and is a huge advocate of their student organizations. He’s also an artist, photographer, and occasionally helps design creative displays at Blue Seven. He’s wearing Nudie’s Average Joes in Dry Dirt.
Eric on Twitter: @erk1800 Eric’s website: www.stripesarelame.blogspot.com[Charlie's photo is coming soon!]
We are honored that our next Clean Starter, Charlie Hall, will be wearing his Nudie Black Slim Jim (in dry coated) all over the US during the next 6 months. Although he’s constantly touring with his band, Charlie Hall Band, he makes his home here in OKC with his family. His photos should be recognizable due to his legit facial hair.
Charlie on Twitter: @charliehallbandIt thrilled us when Lindsay, owner of Collected Thread, a handmade and artist-inspired shop in the Plaza District, decided to participate. Bets are already being made on how long her jeans will last without customization of some sort. She was the brains behind the Plaza District yarn bombing, so nothing will surprise us. Lindsay’s wearing Nudie’s Tight long johns.
Lindsay on Twitter: @collectedthreadAlthough Brett is wearing Nudie’s Average Joe’s (in dry dirt), he’s anything but average. He impresses the Blue Seven staff constantly with his style. We’ll be monitoring his outfits to see how many ways one man can style the same pair of jeans. Brett is a pastor on staff at Church of the Harvest.
Brett on Twitter: @bambamehlRusty is a craftsman of fine leather goods and a graphic designer. We’re hoping his daily interaction with Italian leather will wear on his jeans and create a distinct aging. He’s the original owner of Blue Seven and is wearing the classic Levi’s 501, shrink to fit.
Rusty’s website: www.ThinkNeves.comLong time employee of Blue Seven, Tiffany is one of the hardest workers that we know. She’s a mother of two and homeschools her kids before ever starting her day at Blue Seven. With everything that she coordinates on a daily basis, we hope that she’ll enjoy not having to contemplate what jeans to wear! Tiffany will be in Nudie’s Slim Jims in dry black.
Andrew is our youngest participant in Clean Start. He’s a junior at Yukon High School, an active tennis and basketball player, a huge Thunder fan and can solve a rubik’s cube in under 30 seconds (We may make him prove this in a future How To video!). He’s wearing Nudie’s Average Joes.
David is partner of Idea Collective & Five in Norman and is also behind the innovative Buffalo Lounge. A man of many talents, we have no idea what David will get into over the next 6 months, but we’re glad his Nudie Slacker Jacks will be with him to document the adventure the entire time.
David on Twitter: @ideacollectiveBlue Seven calls Amy the “processing queen.” She gets things done around here, all the while finishing up her Fashion Marketing degree at UCO. When she’s home, she’s hanging with her Boston Terrier pups, Evie & Lambchop, and riding around in her new mint green fiat (love it!). Amy’s wearing Nudie’s Hai Kai.
Tyler Hopkins is a law school student at OCU and plays guitar for the band The Nghiems. Between performing with his band, keeping up his coffee habit (he’s a connoisseur), and the massive amount of pens & highlighters it takes to complete law school, we’re expecting his jeans to take on an interesting wear. He’s in Naked & Famous Weird Guys. These photos were taken immediately after each of our Clean Starters tried on their jeans for the first time. Next month, we’ll post photos after one month of wear. Until then, follow tag #B7CleanStart on Twitter to see updates about Clean Start.
June 3, 2011
June 7th Toms known primarily as a ONE FOR ONE Shoe Company will be making the switch from a shoe company to a ONE FOR ONE Company. Which means every time you buy something from TOMS,you will be helping a person in need. It all started with shoes but now “we’re about to take the next step to help meet even more needs around the world.”, says TOMS
“Our One for One box is a symbol of how TOMS is evolving. And it’s not just about the next thing we make, but the next way you can help. That’s why you see a silhouette on the box – one person helping another. One for One.”
Blue Seven is the only place in OKC to receive the latest One for One product. A representative from Toms will be in the store June 7th at 12:30 with a key to unlock and unveil this new top secret product.
 TOMS Milk Bottle
TOMS and BLUE SEVEN have extended an invite to you for this exciting event. Everyone is very curious about the contents of this mystery box. Only a select few within the company know what waits inside. But more importantly than what is inside is what good it is going to do for the world once it is out of the box. Supporters of TOMS make a difference in so many lives around the world whether by participating in One Day Without Shoes to help raise awareness or by buying shoes from TOMS and this is the next chapter for helping the world become a better place, together with TOMS and other like minded companies we are building a better future.
 toms, shoes, tower, okc, 23, 23rd, street
May 11, 2011
Skinny jeans,leggings,jeggings, drive by eggings these were all the craze this past year. But some designers are all about changing this tight knit,tapered trend, they’re trading out the ankle huggers for a more comfortable trouser or flared denim which gives you a little bit more room to breath…and/or boogy.
“Flared jeans may look over the top, but really they add an extra touch to your over all outfit. To me, this jean style, works best in the spring/summer because I can see them being paired with white peasant tops, flowy sheer tunics or just a plain tank. I do love that they make me appear taller, which is always a plus. Of course, these type of jeans have to be worn with heels/wedges/platforms, otherwise they’ll make you look short.”, says fellow fashion blogger Julie Sarinana.
As we all know with trends, thet travel in cycles. We may all hope some are dead and gone for good but they’ll be round full circle before we know it. Be looking for this 70′s throw back to denim. Its flare, which fits in the butt and widening on its way down the leg and it’s wide-leg, which will extend from the knee on down.
look at her on the far right… she know’s exactly what she’s doing; stylin’ and profilin’ in her totally rad flared denim.
April 12, 2011
Oklahoma Native Eric Lyons is a painter,a teacher, a photographer and explorer. In contrast to his pioneering brothers such as Jacques Cousteau and Ponce de León, Lyons does not delve into the depths of the unknown.Lyons explores the “already known” or “the forgotten” in his photography. His work focuses on whispers of the past, memories captured. His subjects are often broken,splintered, unwanted and uninteresting to most. Lyons looks for beauty in the seemingly mundane, seeing a uniqueness or hidden elegance in ordinary everyday objects that have withered over time.
  
When working with models Lyons approach is not to direct but to observe. He explains to the model his idea or concept for the shoot and allows her/him to explore in her/his own way. “This method makes everyone more comfortable, and it really and truly makes the model a part of the piece”. Check out Eric’s blog @ http://stripesarelame.blogspot.com/. He has recently finsihed up a project where he and fellow artist Blake Behruns created 365 photomashes, this is one photo a day, a piece, for a year. “Now we’re each creating a portrait a week for a year”, Lyons tells. Lyons was awarded Teacher of The Year 2010 for Oklahoma, Teacher of The Month December 2010, and is President Elect of the Oklahoma Art Education Association. Its exciting to see what 2011 holds for Lyons, a man who seems to squeeze 29 hours out of everyday.
March 1, 2011
If you’re anything like me a pair of jeans has always just been A PAIR OF JEANS. With a good fit, a good wash, you got yourself one happy camper. In ancient Sparta one might find themselves being thrown into a chasm for having such naive views. Worry not friends, in the indigo skied world of denim today the only real consequence you face is to feel a little overwhelmed at your local jean shop, unsure of the washes,fits, and life of premium denim. Denim is something truly oragnic, something that is born, lives, ages, and inevitably dies, but like all things living, out of death comes new life.
We must arm ourselves with knowledge, so to help us out with the basic Need to Know I sat down with our resident beardo and denim expert Jacob.
“First things first, why spend the dough? Premium denim can be two or three times as much as a basic, what makes it worth that price?”
Beardo: “It’s an investment, with denim you get exactly what you pair for.The life of the denim for starters is prime example. Premium denims may cost two to three times as much as a basic but they are going to outlive them four to five times longer. You are paying more for the construction of fabric and with companies like Nudie, fair trade organic cottons.
(for more on fair trade organic denim check out Denim Geeks blog http://www.denimgeek.com/archives/175 )
“Lets talk raw denim, we have in store right now raw denim by Nudie and Cult and we are expecting more from Naked and Famous and Crate in the fall.I know this trend is something that has been going on for a few years on the East and West coast and has finally trickled down to the midwest, whats the raw denim story? What makes raw denim “cool” or “desirable”?
Beardo: “Raw or dry denim opposed to washed denim is not rinsed post dying process. Washed denim is impersonating a good broken in pair of jeans. They are sand blasted and rinsed to look worn or stressed, with breaks or “Whiskers” in the upper thigh, “Stacks” on the ankles, and “Honey Combs” behind the knees.
Dry or raw is clean denim in its purest form, a jean that is going to mold to your body and your lifestyle, a jean that truly tells your story. The breaks are natural, the whiskers, stacks, honeycombs, and general wear and tear is you own. With dry denim you wear, and wear, and wear some more. You wash when you’re good and ready(5 or 6 months is recommended for primo fades and distressing). When buying raw I recommend buying them fairly snug, they will loosen where you need them to.They truly form to you.”
Now that we are armed with the Raw Knowledge get out there and use it. Blue Seven is the only place to your’e going to find raw or dry denim this side of Barney’s in Dallas,Tx. Stay tuned for more Need to Know: The Naked Truth About Denim and more style awareness and don’t forget live long and prosper in your premium denim.
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