The Denim War: How American Eagle, Gap, and Lucky Brand Turned Jeans into Culture and Controversy

This summer, denim wasn't just a fashion statement—it was a battlefield. Today, Sammi unpacks how American Eagle, Gap, and Lucky Brand launched three wildly different campaigns that turned jeans into a referendum on identity, controversy, and cultural capital.

From American Eagle’s headline-grabbing Sydney Sweeney campaign to Gap’s inclusive girl-band-powered clapback, and Lucky Brand’s nostalgia-fueled Y2K revival with Addison Rae—Sammi breaks down how these brands are fighting for Gen Z’s attention and loyalty.

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Here’s what Sammi covers today:

00:00 Welcome to the Denim Wars

02:06 American Eagle’s Sydney Sweeney Bet: Controversy as Strategy

05:07 Gap’s Counterpunch: Inclusivity Goes Viral

06:07 Lucky Brand’s Nostalgia Play: Addison Rae and the Y2K Revival

06:39 The Bigger Picture on Fashion Marketing

08:18 Rivalries as a Branding Strategy

09:23 How to Show Social Currency Some Love

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