Background
Presence Denim was designed to crystallize the essence of "Nectar" as a brand. The project aimed to capture the quiet delight found in overlooked moments—transforming the ordinary into something worth noticing. It's a reminder to slow down, stay present, and appreciate the nuances of everyday life, imperfections included.
Core problem
Denim is ubiquitous—nearly everyone owns a pair of jeans. But that familiarity often makes the garment invisible. Most denim lacks the intentional details that reward a closer look. The challenge was to design a piece that feels familiar at first glance but reveals depth and craft the more attention you give it.
The Approach for Presence Denim
I treated this as a true design problem rather than a decorating exercise. The process began with hand-drafting each panel—sleeves, body, neckline—measuring and iterating until the proportions felt right for a cropped, contemporary silhouette. From there, I explored fabric treatments, testing multiple acid wash intensities to find a blend that felt worn-in without losing structure. The first sample came back with an uneven wash and slightly off cut. The second nailed the fit and wash but felt too lightweight, and DTG printing didn't hold on the treated fabric. After reworking the fabric composition and simplifying the graphic to better align with the original vision, the final version came together—a garment that couldn't have been pulled from a catalog.
Steps Taken
Detail Design: Developed custom embroidery, embossed leather tag, crossed belt loops, laser-engraved button, and wrap-over leg print.
Film Direction: Shot a short film centered on stillness, human connection, and nature to visually communicate the brand ethos.
Lookbook Production: Art directed a lookbook with restrained compositions to highlight the garment's subtle details.
Results and Impact
Results & Impact
Presence Denim established a design language for Nectar—one rooted in subtlety and intentionality. The project demonstrated that details don't need to be loud to matter; they just need to reward attention.