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The Best High Fashion Designer Jeans of All Time

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The Best High Fashion Designer Jeans of All Time

The Most Iconic Intricate Runway Denimgetty

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Beyoncé’s elaborately stitched-and-patched patterned denim chaps in the video for “Levii’s Jeans” off Cowboy Carter caused a run on Levi’s back in April. But embellished jeans have always had a way of capturing our attention, stoking a different kind of denim obsession. There are jeans that are the building blocks of a wardrobe, but then there are jeans that are the life of the party—bold, extravagant, unexpected, undeniably high-fashion.

Houses like Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, and Louis Vuitton—and more recently, Bottega Veneta, Gucci, and Valentino have all given us big designer denim looks on the runway, while celebrities have set the internet ablaze by dipping into their archives, as Rihanna did with a pair of $15k Gucci by Tom Ford jeans, from the house’s Spring 1999 collection, on a random Wednesday in L.A. back in 2021.

With denim on the mind, we broke down 13 of our favorite designer-jean runway moments.


CHANEL

Autumn-Winter 1991-1992

a person walking on a runwaya person walking on a runway

PIERRE VAUTHEY//GETTY IMAGES

For the 1991 Fall collection, Karl Lagerfeld went all-out Material Girl, with Madonna music playing in the background while models walked down the runway—which sounds like the perfect scene for these incredible over-the-top jeans. Adorned with gold Chanel buttons, that added just the right amount of campy flair, these jeans brought a shot of youthfulness and vibrance to the otherwise typical tweed skirt suits Chanel-lovers were used to seeing. — Jaclyn Alexandra Cohen, senior fashion & accessories editor


GUCCI

by Tom Ford Spring 1999

These Gucci by Tom Ford jeans from his spring 1999 collection are so memorable—they are a collectors item. Rihanna wore these beaded-waistband-and-feather-hemmed stunners out and about in L.A. in 2021. — Nicole Fritton, executive fashion director


CHLOÉ

Fall 2003

a model at the fall 2003 chloe show in paris photo by giovanni giannoniwwdpenske media via getty imagesa model at the fall 2003 chloe show in paris photo by giovanni giannoniwwdpenske media via getty images

WWD

What a time this was for the house of Chloé! The brand was celebrating its 45th anniversary with none other than Phoebe Philo at the helm. Aside from the banana-printed t-shirts, which she made for their Spring 2004 collection the following season, this denim look she showed is at the top of the list of all-time favorites. What more could you ask for with these bohemian vintage-style jeans in a hot cut, with floral patchwork, and topped off with over-the-knee red boots? Perfection.—JAC


LOUIS VUITTON

by Marc Jacobs Spring 2014

a person standing in front of a fountaina person standing in front of a fountain

imaxtree

For Marc Jacobs’s final show at Louis Vuitton in Spring of 2014. he showed a glamorously Victorian take on dressed-up denim: feather epaulettes on an embroidered jet beaded tulle dress over classic, blue straight-leg jeans. — NF


DOLCE & GABBANA

Spring 2015

a woman in a black dressa woman in a black dress

Daniele Oberrauch

From tap shorts to corsets, baroque prints, and flamenco polka-dot dresses, the Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2015 collection took a sublime turn when these exquisitely fitted straight-leg jeans adorned with pearls, gems and metallic crescent hearts came down the runway. It’s just what we needed to break up the hot evening looks yet, paired perfectly with a babydoll lace transparent camisole. I love that these were worn with embellished ballet flats and a gold bag that looked like a cigarette case, for the perfect cool-girl finish. —JAC


ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

Spring 2016

a person wearing a dressa person wearing a dress

Alessandro Lucioni

Sarah Burton’s Spring 2016 collection for Alexander McQueen featured an opulent take on denim-on-denim. They court-like jacket, embroidered with a country-inspired garden of flowers in sequins and a worn-in feel, offered the perfect reflection of Burton’s not overly precious approach. — NF


BALMAIN

Spring/Summer 2019

a person walking down a runwaya person walking down a runway

Alessandro Lucioni

Olivier Rousteing always brings an element of French influence to his sculptural silhouettes, and it was no different for his Spring 2019 collection, showing these distressed and puzzled jeans with a tailored and structured tweed jacket. The mixed elements of DIY distress and cuff layers, along with shirt arms tied around the waist made you take a second look. —JAC


BOTTEGA VENETA

Fall 2022

a person walking on a runwaya person walking on a runway

courtesy of Press Office

The first look out on the runway of Matthieu Blazy’s debut collection at Bottega Veneta for Fall 2022 was a classic-blue jeans and the perfect white tank. Lean in a little closer and notice that the jeans are leather. Brilliant! —NF


JEAN PAUL GAULTIER

by Julien Dossena Fall 2023 Couture

a person in a dressa person in a dress

Daniele Oberrauch

Julien Dossena designs for Rabanne, but for Fall 2023 Couture Week, he took the helm for a the season as a guest designer at Jean Paul Gaultier. One of the most stunning moments in the show was when these trompe l’oeil beaded jeans walked the runway with a sweeping lace gown for extra drama. —JAC


VALENTINO

Couture Fall 2023

The simplicity of a white shirt and jeans was perfectly elevated by Pierpaolo Piccoli for his Fall 2023 Valentino Couture collection. The opening look, worn by Kaia Gerber, was a tribute to this classic style—except the jeans were hand-embroidered with hundreds of glass beads. For another look, Piccoli had a pair of vintage Levi’s 501s embroidered with gold sequins. — NF


UNDERCOVER

Fall 2024

a person walking down a runwaya person walking down a runway

launchmetrics.com/spotlight

The every day feel of jeans is what draws people in. But when you add 3D appliqué of a gold raffia tuxedo stripe down the side, it’s a sweet playfulness that sparks a bit of joy, which is just what designer Jun Takahashi did with this collection by re-working classic garments with jeans. —JAC


STELLA MCCARTNEY

Fall/Winter 2024

a woman walking on a runwaya woman walking on a runway

Isidore Montag

Stella McCartney will always be a designer that leads in conscious ways of production and bigger-picture messaging. Her Fall 2024 collection came with urgent messaging around the need to preserve Mother Earth, but the clothes were still relaxed and overall fun. Her take on denim with chap detailing were perfect, especially with the metallic overlay for a bit of extra shine. Someone page Beyoncé!—JAC


GUCCI

Resort 2025

a person walking down a sidewalka person walking down a sidewalk

Isidore Montag

In London last month, Sabato De Sarno debuted his third collection at Gucci for their Resort 2025 collection. These jeans with blue-and-white threaded bead fringe details offered a quintessential touch of Gucci glamour, ornamenting daywear so it feels special. — NF



Intricate Jeans to Shop Now

Disc Studded Jeans

<p><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=74968X1596630&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.farfetch.com%2Fshopping%2Fwomen%2Frabanne-disc-studded-jeans-item-20381481.aspx&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.harpersbazaar.com%2Ffashion%2Fa60985245%2Fthe-best-high-fashion-designer-jeans-of-all-time%2F" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">Shop Now</a></p><p>Disc Studded Jeans</p><p>farfetch.com</p><p>$1189.00</p><p></div></div></div><div class=

Lou Feather-Trimmed Upcycled Jeans

<p><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=74968X1596630&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.modaoperandi.com%2Fwomen%2Fp%2Ffrancoise%2Flou-feather-trimmed-upcycled-denim-jeans%2F635782&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.harpersbazaar.com%2Ffashion%2Fa60985245%2Fthe-best-high-fashion-designer-jeans-of-all-time%2F" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">Shop Now</a></p><p>Lou Feather-Trimmed Upcycled Jeans</p><p>$675.00</p><p></div></div></div><div class=

Denim jeans

Hybrid Denim and Mesh

<p><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=74968X1596630&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.modaoperandi.com%2Fwomen%2Fp%2Fnensi-dojaka%2Fhybrid-jeans-with-sheer-leg%2F589885&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.harpersbazaar.com%2Ffashion%2Fa60985245%2Fthe-best-high-fashion-designer-jeans-of-all-time%2F" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">Shop Now</a></p><p>Hybrid Denim and Mesh</p><p>modaoperandi.com</p><p>$935.00</p><p></div></div></div><div class=

Deconstructed Rigid High-Rise Straight-Leg Jeans

<p><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=74968X1596630&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.modaoperandi.com%2Fwomen%2Fp%2Fchristopher-esber%2Fsurf-exclusive-streaked-deconstruct-denim-jean%2F625889&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.harpersbazaar.com%2Ffashion%2Fa60985245%2Fthe-best-high-fashion-designer-jeans-of-all-time%2F" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">Shop Now</a></p><p>Deconstructed Rigid High-Rise Straight-Leg Jeans</p><p>$800.00</p><p></div></div></div><div class=

Evergreen Convertible Button High-Rise

<p><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=74968X1596630&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.net-a-porter.com%2Fen-us%2Fshop%2Fproduct%2Fyproject%2Fclothing%2Fstraight-leg%2Fevergreen-convertible-high-rise-straight-leg-organic-jeans%2F1647597326709296&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.harpersbazaar.com%2Ffashion%2Fa60985245%2Fthe-best-high-fashion-designer-jeans-of-all-time%2F" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">Shop Now</a></p><p>Evergreen Convertible Button High-Rise</p><p>net-a-porter.com</p><p>$830.00</p><p></div></div></div><div class=

Crystal Denim

<p><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=74968X1596630&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bergdorfgoodman.com%2Fp%2Fmarc-jacobs-crystal-denim-oversized-jeans-prod185530108&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.harpersbazaar.com%2Ffashion%2Fa60985245%2Fthe-best-high-fashion-designer-jeans-of-all-time%2F" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">Shop Now</a></p><p>Crystal Denim</p><p>bergdorfgoodman.com</p><p>$795.00</p><p></div></div></div><div class=

Printed High-Rise Jeans

<p><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=74968X1596630&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.net-a-porter.com%2Fen-us%2Fshop%2Fproduct%2Fpucci%2Fclothing%2Fwide-leg%2Fprinted-high-rise-straight-leg-jeans%2F1647597338419087&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.harpersbazaar.com%2Ffashion%2Fa60985245%2Fthe-best-high-fashion-designer-jeans-of-all-time%2F" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">Shop Now</a></p><p>Printed High-Rise Jeans</p><p>net-a-porter.com</p><p>$970.00</p><p></div></div></div><div class=

Evergreen Convertible Buttons

<p><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=74968X1596630&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.net-a-porter.com%2Fen-us%2Fshop%2Fproduct%2Fyproject%2Fclothing%2Fstraight-leg%2Fevergreen-convertible-high-rise-straight-leg-organic-jeans%2F1647597326709296&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.harpersbazaar.com%2Ffashion%2Fa60985245%2Fthe-best-high-fashion-designer-jeans-of-all-time%2F" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">Shop Now</a></p><p>Evergreen Convertible Buttons</p><p>net-a-porter.com</p><p>$830.00</p><p></div></div></div><div class=

Denim With Appliqués

<p><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=74968X1596630&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dolcegabbana.com%2Fen-us%2Ffashion%2Fwomen%2Fclothing%2Fdenim-and-jeans%2Fdenim-jeans-with-ripped-details-and-appliques-multicolor-FTCGNZG8HO0S9001.html&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.harpersbazaar.com%2Ffashion%2Fa60985245%2Fthe-best-high-fashion-designer-jeans-of-all-time%2F" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">Shop Now</a></p><p>Denim With Appliqués</p><p>dolcegabbana.com</p><p>$9001.00</p><p></div></div></div><div class=

Embroidered Twisted Denim

<p><a href="https://us.lanvin.com/products/wide-leg-pants-in-embroidered-twisted-denim-rw-tr0303-d070-p2429" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">Shop Now</a></p><p>Embroidered Twisted Denim</p><p>lanvin.com</p><p>$895.00</p><p></div></div></div><div class=

Shop Now

Embroidered Twisted Denim

lanvin.com

$895.00

Metallic Leather Denim

<p><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=74968X1596630&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bergdorfgoodman.com%2Fp%2Fbrandon-maxwell-the-cortlandt-denim-pants-with-metallic-leather-detail-prod184690094&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.harpersbazaar.com%2Ffashion%2Fa60985245%2Fthe-best-high-fashion-designer-jeans-of-all-time%2F" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">Shop Now</a></p><p>Metallic Leather Denim</p><p>bergdorfgoodman.com</p><p>$2695.00</p><p></div></div></div><div class=

Fringed Jeans

<p><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=74968X1596630&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.net-a-porter.com%2Fen-us%2Fshop%2Fproduct%2Floewe%2Fclothing%2Fstraight-leg%2Fplus-paula-s-ibiza-fringed-high-rise-straight-leg-jeans%2F1647597335552908&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.harpersbazaar.com%2Ffashion%2Fa60985245%2Fthe-best-high-fashion-designer-jeans-of-all-time%2F" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">Shop Now</a></p><p>Fringed Jeans</p><p>net-a-porter.com</p><p>$1300.00</p><p></div></div></div><div class=

Berke Embellished Jeans

<p><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=74968X1596630&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bergdorfgoodman.com%2Fp%2Fralph-lauren-collection-berke-embellished-wide-leg-cargo-jeans-prod186340046&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.harpersbazaar.com%2Ffashion%2Fa60985245%2Fthe-best-high-fashion-designer-jeans-of-all-time%2F" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">Shop Now</a></p><p>Berke Embellished Jeans</p><p>bergdorfgoodman.com</p><p>$4690.00</p><p></div></div></div><div class=

Beaded Wide Leg Jeans

<p><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=74968X1596630&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmarissacollections.com%2Fproducts%2Fpatbo-beaded-wide-leg-jeans&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.harpersbazaar.com%2Ffashion%2Fa60985245%2Fthe-best-high-fashion-designer-jeans-of-all-time%2F" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">Shop Now</a></p><p>Beaded Wide Leg Jeans</p><p>marissacollections.com</p><p>$995.00</p><p></div></div></div><div class=

Embroidered Two-Tone Jeans

<p><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=74968X1596630&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.neimanmarcus.com%2Fp%2F3-1-phillip-lim-liberty-embroidered-two-tone-slouchy-jeans-prod262870153&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.harpersbazaar.com%2Ffashion%2Fa60985245%2Fthe-best-high-fashion-designer-jeans-of-all-time%2F" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">Shop Now</a></p><p>Embroidered Two-Tone Jeans</p><p>Neiman Marcus</p><p>$895.00</p><p></div></div></div><div class=

Embroidered Cutout High-Rise

<p><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=74968X1596630&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theoutnet.com%2Fen-us%2Fshop%2Fproduct%2Farea%2Fjeans%2Fstraight-leg-jeans%2Fembroidered-cutout-high-rise-straight-leg-jeans%2F1647597341154063&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.harpersbazaar.com%2Ffashion%2Fa60985245%2Fthe-best-high-fashion-designer-jeans-of-all-time%2F" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">Shop Now</a></p><p>Embroidered Cutout High-Rise</p><p>$438.00</p><p></div></div></div><div class=

Hybrid Denim and Mesh Wide-Leg Jeans

<p><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=74968X1596630&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.modaoperandi.com%2Fwomen%2Fp%2Fnensi-dojaka%2Fhybrid-jeans-with-sheer-leg%2F589885&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.harpersbazaar.com%2Ffashion%2Fa60985245%2Fthe-best-high-fashion-designer-jeans-of-all-time%2F" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">Shop Now</a></p><p>Hybrid Denim and Mesh Wide-Leg Jeans</p><p>modaoperandi.com</p><p>$935.00</p><p></div></div></div><div class=

Vintage Flower Patchwork Flare Jeans

<p><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=74968X1596630&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bergdorfgoodman.com%2Fp%2Fcout-de-la-liberte-mens-vintage-flower-patchwork-flare-jeans-prod185280023&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.harpersbazaar.com%2Ffashion%2Fa60985245%2Fthe-best-high-fashion-designer-jeans-of-all-time%2F" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">Shop Now</a></p><p>Vintage Flower Patchwork Flare Jeans</p><p>bergdorfgoodman.com</p><p>$1500.00</p><p></div></div></div><div class=

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