Rock and Republic USA is a premium denim brand that offers stylish, high-quality jeans and apparel with a focus on fashion, comfort, and exceptional craftsmanship. Founded in 2002, the brand is known for its trendy designs, attention to detail, and celebrity followi

The pie chart shows the percentage of ROCK AND REPUBLIC women’s jeans styles on discount for the month of JANUARY 2025.

The accompanying graph illustrates the average price trajectory of ROCK AND REPUBLIC , USA women’s jeans in JANUARY 2025, highlighting the impact of discounts on pricing.

The graph highlights the maximum and minimum prices for ROCK AND REPUBLIC women’s jeans in the month of JANUARY 2025.

The fabric compositions of ROCK AND REPUBLIC USA Women’s Jeans demonstrate that the brand maintains the traditional denim aesthetic while integrating modern fabric blends for enhanced comfort, durability, and flexibility.

The most commonly used fabric composition is 87% Cotton, 12% Polyester, and 1% Elastane, accounting for 27.6% of styles. This blend reflects a balance between cotton’s breathability and polyester’s durability, with elastane providing slight stretch for improved fit and movement.

Other notable compositions include 85% Cotton, 12% T-400, and 3% Lycra (13.8%), emphasizing stretch and shape retention, catering to consumers who prefer a more flexible fit. Similarly, 98% Cotton and 2% Elastane (10.3%) offers a near-authentic denim feel while allowing for slight elasticity.

Blends incorporating Rayon and Elasterell, such as 55% Cotton, 36% Rayon, 7% Elasterell, and 2% Elastane (10.3%), suggest a move towards softer and more fluid denim options. Rayon enhances the fabric’s softness, making it a preferred choice for those seeking a more comfortable and drapey feel in their jeans.

A broader category of fabric blends, ranging from 70-94% Cotton, 5-28% Polyester, and 1-2% Elastane (17.2%), highlights ROCK AND REPUBLIC’s strategy of diversifying its fabric compositions to offer a variety of stretch, durability, and comfort levels.

Notably, the inclusion of polyester in multiple compositions, such as 68% Cotton, 21% Polyester,
9% Rayon, and 2% Elastane (3.4%), indicates a trend toward enhancing fabric strength and longevity while still maintaining the softness and stretch demanded by modern consumers.

Overall, ROCK AND REPUBLIC USA Women’s Jeans presents a well-balanced mix of traditional
cotton-heavy compositions and modern fiber blends, ensuring durability, comfort, and flexibility. The brand’s approach suggests a focus on both classic denim aesthetics and innovative performance fabrics to meet evolving consumer preferences.

The ROCK AND REPUBLIC USA Women’s Jeans collection for JANUARY 2025 shows a strong emphasis on boot cut styles, with 45% of the offerings dedicated to this classic silhouette. This preference aligns with the ongoing popularity of boot cut jeans, which offer a versatile and flattering look that pairs well with various footwear choices, making them a staple in modern wardrobes.

The Straight Fit category, comprising 23% of the collection, reflects a balanced approach to fit, with consumers continuing to seek clean, structured denim options. This timeless fit remains a popular choice for those who favor a more streamlined and classic look.

An analysis of the rises in women’s jeans styles offered by ROCK AND REPUBLIC , USA in JANUARY 2025 reveals that Mid Rise is the dominant trend, aligning with the latest denim market preferences.

This section presents the distribution of broad fit orientations for women’s jeans at ROCK AND REPUBLIC , USA, based on 22 Styles, offering a snapshot of consumer preferences in styles.

The pie chart illustrates the percentage distribution of women’s jeans by fabric stretch
(Rigid and Stretch) for ROCK AND REPUBLIC , USA in JANUARY 2025

In the ROCK AND REPUBLIC USA Women’s Jeans collection for JANUARY 2025, 51.7% of the styles incorporate polyester, while 48.3% are polyester-free. This near-equal distribution underscores the brand’s commitment to blending traditional and modern materials.

In the ROCK AND REPUBLIC USA Women’s Jeans collection for JANUARY 2025, 7.2% polyester content speaks to a growing trend toward enhancing the performance and longevity of the jeans. Polyester contributes to increased durability, shape retention, and wrinkle resistance, making the denim easier to maintain and offering a longer lifespan for the garments. This is an important feature for consumers seeking both comfort and functionality. The presence of rayon (4.1%) and elasterell (1.4%) suggests an effort to incorporate softer, more fluid fabric characteristics into the denim. Rayon provides a silky feel, while elasterell adds to the stretch and comfort, improving fit and movement. This aligns with the growing demand for jeans that offer a combination of flexibility and softness without compromising on style.

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Levi’s USA is a iconic American denim brand founded in 1853, renowned for inventing the first blue jeans and crafting high-quality, timeless apparel. Levi’s is synonymous with classic style, comfort, and durability, offering a wide range of jeans, jackets, and casual wear for men, women, and kids.

The pie chart shows the percentage of Levis USA Men jeans styles on discount for the month of JANUARY 2025.

The accompanying graph illustrates the average price trajectory of Levis USA Men’s jeans in Jan 2025, highlighting the impact of discounts on pricing.

The graph highlights the maximum and minimum prices for Levis USA men jeans in the month of JANUARY 2025

Levis USA compositions are predominantly led by 100% cotton fabric styles, accounting for 32.6% of the total analyzed products.

Additionally, the analysis reveals a significant incorporation of stretch fabrics, with compositions
such as 99% cotton and 1% elastane (14.4%) and 99% cotton with 1% lycra (9.1%). These blends demonstrate the brand’s strategic focus on providing enhanced comfort and flexibility to meet modern consumer preferences.

Emerging trends in sustainability and innovation are reflected in blends like 70% cotton, 28% Tencel, and 2% Lycra (9.8%), as well as 100% organic cotton styles (6.8%). These offerings showcase Levi’s commitment to catering to environmentally conscious consumers without compromising on quality and style.

Further variety is observed in niche blends such as 67% cotton, 32% Tencel, and 1% elastane
(3.8%) and 69% cotton, 26% hemp, 4% elastomultiester, and 1% T-400 (3.0%). These combinations indicate a deliberate effort to expand the product range, targeting specific market segments that value sustainable and innovative materials.

Overall, Levis USA displays a well-rounded approach to fabric compositions. By balancing classic 100% cotton styles with modern blends of elastane, Tencel, hemp, and organic cotton, the brand ensures it remains competitive in meeting the diverse demands of its consumers, from traditionalists to those seeking sustainable and stretch-friendly options

Levis USA Men’s Jeans styles are dominated by Straight Fit, representing 38% of the total styles analyzed. This emphasizes the brand’s commitment to offering timeless, versatile designs that cater to a wide range of consumers seeking comfort and classic aesthetics. Slim and Skinny Fits closely follow at 35%, showcasing their continued popularity among younger demographics and fashion-forward consumers who prefer a more tailored and modern silhouette.

This section presents the distribution of broad fit orientations for Men’s jeans at Levis USA based on 139 Styles, offering a snapshot of consumer preferences in styles.

The pie chart illustrates the percentage distribution of Men’s jeans by fabric stretch (Rigid and Stretch) for Levis USA in January 2025.

In the Levis USA Men’s Jeans collection for January 2025, 6.8% of the styles incorporate polyester, while the remaining 93.2% are polyester-free. This data illustrates that while polyester is included in a small portion of the overall styles, Levis continues to prioritize natural fibers in its denim offerings.

The average material composition of Levis USA Men’s Jeans, Organic cotton accounts for 9.1% of the material, highlighting Levi’s growing focus on sustainability. This increased use of organic cotton speaks to the rising demand for eco-friendly alternatives in the denim industry, catering to consumers who prioritize environmental responsibility in their fashion choices.

Other materials such as Tencel (5.3%) and Polyester (1.4%) contribute to fabric durability, comfort, and flexibility. Tencel Is relatively higher percentage points to its popularity as a sustainable and soft alternative to traditional fibers, aligning with modern consumer preferences for eco-conscious and comfortable jeans.

Download PDF:

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This report was available complimentary to our subscribers, and Denimsandjeans publishes a of reports every month. To access all of these reports, please visit our website:

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All reports are available through subscription. If you’re interested in subscribing to our special reports section, please contact us at mktg3@denimsandjeans.com. Our team will be happy to assist you with the subscription process.

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Six Denim Trends Pointing in the Same Direction

In 1987, an orca living in the salmon-rich waters of the Pacific Northwest started a trend in her pod. She began wearing a dead salmon on her head. Other members of her pod were soon mimicking her behaviour. 

The “salmon hat” craze spread to other nearby pods and lasted nearly two months before the behaviour disappeared as quickly as it had emerged. Now, there’s some evidence that the fashionable fishy chapeaus are making a comeback in Puget Sound.

Just as, nearly four decades ago, researchers suggested that the killer whales’ adoption of the salmon hat was evidence of a kind of fashion-conscious behaviour, the re-emergence of the trend suggests that, even in the animal kingdom, fashion moves in cycles.

Like the ocean, denim ebbs and flows in the world of fashion. But, like the ocean, it’s always there. In the world of casual style, jeans have the same kind of staying power as the suit does in the world of traditional menswear. It’s not a matter of if people are wearing jeans or suits; it’s just a matter of how they’re cut and styled.

Each year, style forecasters tell us which way the denim winds seem to be blowing. Since denim trends are expressed across a nearly impossibly broad world of cultures and subcultures, there’s never a single dominant trend. Streetwear might be pulling denim in one direction, while the smart casual crowd might be pulling it in the opposite direction.

Some of these here-today-gone-tomorrow denim trends dip a toe into the world of raw denim, introducing newcomers to selvedge brands and retailers in the process. While most trends skip over our little slow-moving eddy of the denim world, occasionally, trends align, bringing a dramatic spike in attention to the world of selvedge denim.

The last time this happened was in the first decade of our new century, when a New York-led cadre of hipsters kickstarted a kind of authenticity revolution, which placed artisans, slow, ethical manufacturing, and a kind of lumber-centric style and hirsute masculinity into the spotlight.

As the urban lumberjacks (aka lumbersexuals) pulled stakes and spread the gospel of well-made and heritage goods across North America and Europe, Japanese denim brands benefited from the renewed interest in the kind of rugged American style they’d already been perfecting for decades.

Selvedge has not been hot in the same way since then. It returned to its comfortable niche, with enthusiasts and a small but steady stream of newcomers keeping the passion for well-made denim alive.

But now, the stars seem to be aligning. This year’s denim trends, in aggregate, point to a tremendous opportunity for selvedge brands and retailers—one we hope they’ll seize with both hands.

For each of the 2025 denim trends below, we’ll look at what the trend is, but also, how it might help bring style-conscious consumers into the selvedge fold. These are not forecasts for where the market is headed—only our understanding of where we seem to be at the moment, and what this might mean for selvedge brands and retailers. 

We’ll leave the forecasting to the style prognosticators who have their finger on the ever-changing pulse of fashion. Based on what we’re seeing, though, this year could be a bumper crop for selvedge denim brands and retailers.

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Trend #1: Darker Washes

The Staying Power of Dark Denim

For both men and women, the preference for dark washes continues into 2025. Uniformly dark pairs lend themselves equally well to smart or dressed-down looks. The dark fabric not only hides stains (a key feature for its workwear adherents); it also allows designers to bring focus to silhouette and carefully considered details.  

While fully washed-down denim is enjoying a moment in the sun (think Kendrick Lamar at the Grammys and the Super Bowl), dark denim’s foothold in the world of fashion and style remains as strong as ever. 

While selvedge is prized for how it fades, it is also appreciated for how it looks when it’s fresh off the rack. When crisp and raw, it speaks volumes about its quality and careful manufacturing, and its weight and visual texture make it stand out from the ocean of uninteresting denim on the market.

Those looking for exceptionally dark and characterful denims will find themselves spoiled for choice if/when they discover the world of selvedge. The style cognoscenti at British Vogue seem to be pointing their readers in the right direction. They’re recommending selvedge brands like Nudie and Edwin to their (largely female) readers who want to stay ahead of the curve with their denim choices in 2025.

Of course, Nudie and Edwin are only the tip of the iceberg. To see our more extensive list of selvedge brands we recommend, featuring a mixture of Japanese, American, and European brands, check our Selvedge Masterlist. 

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Trend #2: Vintage Denim

Blue Gold: Vintage Hounds Cash In

If you have even a passing interest in vintage pieces, you’ve probably noticed that vintage bargains are getting harder and harder to come by. The most desirable and on-trend vintage pieces are selling for four or even five figures. 

The true grail pieces of the denim collecting world (wearable pieces from the 19th century) are now trading hands for north of six figures. For all but the most serious and deep-pocketed collectors, highly desirable vintage pieces are essentially unattainable.

Japan experienced something similar in the ‘70s and ‘80s when rabid Japanese fans of vintage Levi’s 501s caused the price of vintage pairs to skyrocket. Japanese brands like Evisu and Denime responded by making more-affordable stitch-perfect reproductions of American classics. In time, these reproductions became better than the originals they were copied from.

With vintage clothing becoming such a sellers’ market, interested consumers might find themselves falling into the arms of heritage brands that traffic in nostalgia. If you’ve ever said, “They don’t make them like they used to”, you might be surprised to learn that yes, they do.

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Trend #3: Higher Rises

Navel Explorers: A Rising Tide Lifts All Waistbands

Thanks to a resurgence of interest in properly tailored menswear, more men are getting the message that the combination of low-slung, slim-fitting trousers and tucked-in shirts is not doing anybody any favours–particularly not those who have any padding around the middle.

The world of traditional menswear is bleeding into heritage menswear

If you prefer untucked looks, low- and medium-rise pairs will remain an excellent option, but if you’re looking for stylish versatility, join the growing number of people looking at higher-rise pairs.

In the golden age of workwear (the first half of the twentieth century), higher rises were the norm. Selvedge brands are very comfortable in this territory, and those looking for the best of higher-rise jeans might find themselves tumbling down the heritage selvedge rabbit hole.

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Trend #4: Wider Cuts

Baggy and Its Inevitable Breaking Point

This is one of those areas where the runway and street fashion are in near-perfect alignment. Designers are responding to baggy jeans being worn at street level that either hang straight down from the hips or balloon out to nearly comic proportions.

The last time we saw jeans this baggy was in the ‘90s when hip-hop and rave culture combined to give us jeans so laughably large (anybody remembers JNCOs?) that we needed a nearly three-decade reprieve before they were ready to return.

When we find designers pushing into extreme territory, this usually signals that the end is near. We’re nearing that point now—some are saying that we’ve already crossed that line and that baggy jeans have come to the end of the line.

Heritage brands that offer generous cuts (again, inspired by vintage waist overalls, which were meant to be worn over ‘proper’ trousers) haven’t fallen into the trap. Their handsome wider-legged cuts might catch consumers who are seeking a more reasonable middle ground between tight and baggy.

Selvedge brands like Full Count and Japan Blue have leaned into the trend with wider-legged fits, but they’ve done so without pushing it to extremes. Pairs like these might catch the eye of consumers who want to participate in the trend without looking ridiculous.

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Trend #5: Turned Up Cuffs

A Selvedge Signifier Cruises into the Mainstream

I haven’t seen any trend forecasters talking about this, but I’ve noticed the trend every time I’m in capital cities in Europe. Young and old, people are turning up the cuffs of their jeans more than ever before.

Not too long ago, upturned cuffs were nearly the exclusive domain of selvedge enthusiasts. Whenever you saw that flash of cuff, it was virtually guaranteed, you’d find that selvedge outseam with it. The practice began drifting into the mainstream years ago, and it’s now everywhere I look (and I’m always looking at cuffs).

What those flipping their overlocked outseams might fail to realise is that they’re showing off the least attractive parts of their jeans. The selvedge ID is a hallmark of quality; its absence speaks just as loudly as its presence. We can only hope that those rolling their cuffs have their attention drawn to the cuffs of those who do have a selvedge ID.

This might lead them to ask why our selvedge cuffs look so clean while their non-selvedge cuffs look so ragged. I’ve been going out of my way to explain the difference to folks on the street—even if they don’t ask.

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Trend #6: Western Wear

Western Style is Right on Time 

In their excellent book on western style, How the West Was Worn, Holly George-Warren and Michelle Freedman say that western style moves through the mainstream on a seven-year cycle. Seven years ago, Yellowstone debuted, leading to a western style goldsrush that gave a substantial lift to brands like Wrangler and Pendleton. 

Now, seven years later, western style is back, like clockwork, for another slow waltz around the dancefloor. With a little help from Queen Bey and her collaboration with Levi’s, western classics like embroidered shirts, big hats, and cowboy boots are fashionable once again—and, of course, they’ve brought along cowboy cut jeans for the ride.

Even if you don’t have a horse to ride, you’ll need to grab a pair of jeans that will help you look as though you were born in the saddle. Legacy western brands like Wrangler, Levi’s, and Lee will all do the trick, but if you want a more elevated western cut, brands like Brave Star and Freenote Cloth cater to cowboys who want a little more steak on their plate.

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Set Your Own Trends

We always encourage our readers to go their own way. Still, if you’re looking for advice on what to wear or how to wear it, we’ve got plenty of advice to offer. You can find our Selvedge Style FAQ here and our buying guides here. 

To stay up to date on what we’re watching and wearing, get the Denimhunters newsletter delivered straight into your inbox .

The post Why 2025 Could Be a Massive Year for Selvedge Denim appeared first on Denimhunters.

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These Faders Have Distinguished Themselves in Y4, and Now They’re Reaping Their Rewards

It’s been a wild year of fading in Year 4 of the Indigo Invitational. We announced the winners of each of the conferences here, but we’re not done yet.

There are tons of exceptional faders who have distinguished themselves this year and deserve to be rewarded for their efforts. 

With a larger prize pool than ever before, we are able to recognize more than 20 faders with special spot prizes. Before we dive in, we have a few thank yous. First, we want to thank the partnering brands that made the competition possible.

It’s thanks to these brands that we are able to keep the competition free for all participants, and they free up our hands so we can search high and low for prize sponsors from all over the world who can make sure our competitors go home with something worthy of their efforts.

We also need to thank some of our showcase winners. Starting with Ella Dawn Jenkins, winners began donating part of their showcases back into our prize pool, allowing us to reach deeper and deeper into our field. Following Ella’s lead, Jørn-Bjørn Fuller-Gee, Kyle Knight, Harry Kasim, Charles Stockstrom, and Cade all donated a portion of their prizes. 

James Casburn amazed us by donating his entire showcase back to the prize pool. We’ve never seen this kind of infectious generosity before, and it shows just how strong the community spirit that animates this competition really is. 

If you’ve been recognized with a spot prize, be sure to thank the brands that make this possible and your fellow winners who have been so open-handed with their hard-earned rewards. Now, it’s time to get to the spot prize winners.

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Ry T Spear Memorial – Immaculate Vibes Award

Kohei Yoshino – Big John Rare 008 (15.5 oz.)

We lost a bedrock member of our community this year. Ry T Spear was a true pillar of the scene, with a simple, laid-back style and immaculate vibes. We’ve named this very special award in his honour, and we’re happy to award it to Kohei, who, like Ry, shows us all how rugged gear can and should be worn.   

We’ve awarded him one of the best prizes in our prize pool (a donation from James Casburn). He’ll be getting a virgin wool sweater of his choice and a beanie from our good friends at Heimat Textil. We’re excited to see how he styles them and makes them his own.

See Heimat’s sweater selection here.

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The People’s Champ – RoW

Aaron Kikola – Iron Heart 888S-21ib (21oz)

Aaron was the runaway fan favourite in the RoW conference, but the judges looked in different directions this year. We stand by our judges’ verdict, but we can’t let the year close without doffing our caps to these incredible fades–some of the most remarkable stacks and combs we’ve ever seen in the competition.

We gave Aaron his choice of a handful of prizes, and he took a pair of Nudies. “Love me some Nudies!” he said. We’re happy to give him exactly what he wants.

Follow Aaron’s lead into a great pair of Nudies here.

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People’s Champ – Re(Pair)

Satoru Honda – Samurai 710XX19oz (19 oz.)

As with Aaron’s Iron Hearts, the judges and the community didn’t agree on these Samurais. They cruised to an easy victory in the voting round, but didn’t manage to make it into the winner’s circle.

We’re proud to announce that Satoru is going home with a pair of great prizes for his exceptional work on these heavyweights (just look at those pockets!).

First up is a pair of Zero Plus jeans from Samurai. Based on what he did to this pair, we’re hoping he’ll bring these crisp new Sammies back for another run at the podium. 

We’re adding a very special silver and leather necklace from our good friends at By Boaz. A beautiful piece of jewellery for a beautiful result. Congrats, Satoru.

Check out Samurai jeans here and By Boaz’s accessories here. 

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Founder’s Favourite – RoW

Patrick Lane – Oni 902 Kiwami (16 oz.)

Bryan was struck by these unfussy and hard-won fades when he was sorting through the entries this year. They cruised into the Top 50, but couldn’t quite make it into the Top 20.

We’re very happy to be able to give this pair the recognition our founder thinks they deserve.

Patrick will be getting a $100 GC from longtime supporters of the competition Self Edge. He can turn it into some great basics or perhaps an accessory, but we hope we’ll use it as a downpayment on a pair as brilliant as this one for when he comes back to challenge for a Top 20 slot in Y5.

Check out Self Edge’s impressive selection here.

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Founder’s Favourite – SEA

Jusram Akhmat – OldBlue Heavyweight Beasts (23 oz.)

Bryan faded a pair of these in Y3 of the Invitational, so he knows just how special these fades are. Jusram has managed to cut sharp lines into the backs of his pair—not an easy feat considering the weight of this denim.

Beautiful fades presented tastefully. Top marks from the founder.

Jusram will be getting a pair of his choice from Nudie. We’re confident that, if he pushes his pair of Nudies as hard as he pushed the OldBlues, the results will be podium-worthy.

Check out some of the Nudie pairs available at Hinoya.

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Cowgirl Blues 

Valerie Schmutz – Wrangler MWZ Cowboy Cut (14 oz.)

One half of the range-riding fading powerhouse known collectively as the @selvage_cowboys, Valerie brought a truly classic pair into the ring this year, and she very nearly cracked the Top 20.

The sky-blue seat and the hand-stitched repairs on the seat, crotch, and the cuffs, really marked this pair as something worthy of special attention. 

Valerie will be walking away in a pair of jeans from our good friends at Merica Lee. With their corseted waists, Merica Lee’s pairs will be home, home on the range. Excited to see Valerie return to the field next year with her winnings.

Check out Merica Lee’s pairs here.

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Stacks of the Year

Bob Hamzik – Strike Gold 9904 (24.8 oz.)

Bob has absolutely magic legs. Year after year, he’s let heavy selvedge stack up on his boots producing some of the most remarkable thigh-height stacks we’ve ever seen.

Bob’s fades are a vibrant example of just how much difference it can make when you start with heavy selvedge and leave them uncured. The result is undeniably beautiful.

He’ll be getting an incredible piece of hardware for his efforts. This Double-Stuffed Natural Wickett & Craig belt from Nick’s Leather Goods is primed for patina, and we know he’ll bring the best out of it. 

You’ll find Nick’s belts and other leather accessories here.

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Silver Whiskers

Brent Baker – Iron Heart 888XHS (25 oz.)

Another intensely popular fader who wasn’t able to crack the Top 10, Brent Baker set some outstanding moustache-shaped whiskers into his Iron Hearts.

He placed second in the popular vote, and we’re happy to send him home with a token of our deep appreciation for his fades.

He’s getting a $100 GC from Self Edge. What he does with it is up to him, but we hope he’ll use the opportunity to find the perfect pair to return for another run at the podium next year. 

You’ll find Self Edge’s selection of selvedge jeans here.

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Black Denim Fader of the Year

Parinthorn Krasaetho – Self Edge x Imperial SEXI14 (15 oz.)

If you’re looking to raise the bar of difficulty for yourself, enter a pair of black denim in a fading contest. We always respect those who take on challenging fabrics. Even if they don’t make it into the winner’s circle, we know that this black selvedge took a titanic effort to get it this far. 

It seemed only fitting that we give this rock-and-roll belt from Hollywood Trading Co to the fader who produced the best black denim fades this year. We hope it’s a love match.

You’ll find the full Hollywood Trading Co. collection here.

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By a Whisker

Herman Rahman – Strike Gold 9904 (24.8 oz.)

The race for the last slot in the Top 10 in the SEA conference was exceptionally tight. It was tied, and the tiebreaker went to Wuttisak for his top marks from one of the judges.

Missing the top 10 by a whisker, Herman definitely deserves a token of our deep respect and appreciation.

NBDN supplied us with a total of eight prizes this year, including three pairs and five gift certificates. We gave one of the pairs to Herman, and we hope he’ll return in Y5 wearing his prize. 

You’ll find NBDN’s selection of jeans here.

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Future Hall of Famer

Henrik Lindberg – Naked & Famous Skinny Kid (12 oz.)

Three proud fathers brought their kids into this community this year, and, though it was a tough choice, we had to give it to young Henrik, who bested his father with these gorgeous fades.

Keep going, kid. You’re destined for greatness! 

We’re giving Henrik a full denim kit from our friends at KATO. He’ll get a 14 oz. Blade Trucker Jacket and a pair of selvedge jeans of his choice. If he’s not quite big enough to fit their small sizes yet, we’re confident he’ll quickly grow into them. 

You can see Kato’s selvedge jeans and jackets here.

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Couples Who Fade Together…

Katherine and Tobias Hinchliffe – Kojima Genes 1000V (19 oz.) and Naked & Famous Elephant 11 (20oz)

Another heart-warming entry from a couple who compete, not just in this community, but with each other to produce the best fades. Brick layer Tobias gets the edge in this contest, but it’s a close finish.

This passion we all share is even better when shared with a partner. Tobias is living the dream!

As luck would have it, Hen’s Teeth Italy gave us a pair of tees to give away to one of our winners. They also gave us one of their bandanas. Katherine and Tobias can play rock-paper-scissors to decide who gets that one. 

You can check out Hen’s Teeth’s tees and bandanas here.

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Out in the Cold

Dale Heffernan – Naked & Famous Elephant 11 (20 oz.)

Easily making their way into the Top 20, these Elephants caught a lot of eyes, not just thanks to their strong combs and whiskers, but also their presentation.

They make our Canadian-born founder long for the Great White North. Beautiful presentation of excellent fades.  

These snowy shots are a perfect fit with some creamy white cotton. Merz b. Schwanen, who make arguably the best basics in the game, have given us a package of three pieces (two tees and a s/s henley) for one of our winners, and we’re happy to give it to Dale.

You can find Merz’s basics at Franklin & Poe.

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The D-Section

Joe Irvin – Brave Star Slubnoxious 3 (21 oz.)

After a full year and then some in his Brave Stars, Joe was in an accident. The paramedics acted quickly, cutting Joe out of his jeans.

While Joe made a quick recovery, the jeans were another matter. They were repaired from stem to stern, bearing a remarkable scar when they crossed the line.

We’re so proud of Joe for stitching up his pair and limping across the line. We hope this beautiful belt from Tannery South will be a welcome reward for giving us one of the best stories of the year.

You can find Tannery South’s belts and accessories here.

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Filthy Fades of the Year

Chanaphat Mooumphan – SJF x Candiani (16 oz.)

This Thai farmer puts his jeans through absolute hell in his muddy fields. This nearly unfadable pair was pushed beyond its limits this year, crossing the line covered with repairs and crusted with grime. 

The dirt concealed nearly all of Chanaphat’s incredible fading work, so the pair did not place nearly as highly as we expected them to. He deserves special recognition. 

We’re thrilled to give Chanaphat one of the Utilitees tees given to us this year by the Japanese brand. Wear it proudly, Chanaphat. See you next year! 

You’ll find Utilitees tees here.

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Rox Star

Roxanne Pasion – Iron Heart 777S-18oz (18 oz.)

We loved Roxanne’s moody highlight shots, which put her beautiful roping in the spotlight. She’s a legend in the scene, and we’re very proud to have her in our community. This looks like it might be some of her best work to date.

Merz b. Schwanen gave us one ladies’ tee to give away this year, and we’re very happy to give it to Roxanne. It’ll pair perfectly with her beautifully faded Iron Hearts.

You can find Merz b. Schwanen basics at Redcast Heritage.

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Do the Twist

Peter Petrov – Samurai 710XX21oz-SY (21 oz.)

We’re used to seeing some amount of leg twist in lay flats, but Peter’s pair has twisted so much that the seam is nearly half-way around. We can’t tell whether they are coming or going. 

For making our eyes pop out when looking over submissions, Peter has earned himself something nice.

Our new friends at Baird Jeans (both a sponsor and a competitor this year) gave us one pair of Baird Jeans to give away to a deserving competitor. This much twist has made our man Peter a very deserving recipient of a great pair.

You can take a look at Baird Jeans and their made-in-the-USA pairs here.

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Oopsie

Aditya Setiawan – OldBlue Heavyweight Beasts (23 oz.)

When we announced the Top 10s on Denimhunters, we accidentally included Aditya on the list. We published the right list elsewhere, but the mistake led to some confusion. We apologize for the error.

We hope this excellent pair from NBDN makes up for our mistake. Aditya definitely had good reason to hope for a Top 10 finish, and we hated to let him down.

You can see NBDNs impressive made-to-fade line-up here.

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Onwards and Upwards

We’ve still got a few raffle prizes to give away (all finishers are eligible for the raffle prizes), but after that, we’ll be closing the book on Y4 and looking ahead to Y5, which will start on September 1st.

Registration for the Indigo Invitational Year 5 will open on February 15th.

If you’re looking for that perfect competition pair, start your hunt here. See you on the starting line!

The post The Best of the Rest: The Y4 Spot Prize Winners appeared first on Denimhunters.

DENIM and PATCHES sourced this post originally published on this site

Announcing the Indigo Invitational Y4 Winners

Year Four of the Indigo Invitational began on January 1st of 2024. More than 1,500 competitors started with a fresh pair of raw selvedge, and, after 366 days of fading (2024 was a leap year), they showcased the fruits of their labours.

The competition challenges the world’s best faders to produce their best-ever fades, and the results never disappoint. We saw incredible examples of the fading arts this year, and all of those who managed to complete the full 366 days of the competition deserve commendation, but only a handful of them have earned their place in the winner’s circle.

Three Competitions in One

This year, the competition was split into three arms: SEA, RoW, and Re(Pair). SEA was the Southeast Asian arm, where some of the world’s most obsessive denimheads produce mindblowing fades aided by the hot, equatorial sun.

In the RoW (Rest of the World) conference, the rest of the world showed what four successive seasons of fading could do to their pairs.

Finally, in Re(Pair) competitors who had completed a full lap of the track were allowed to return for a second full year. 

We’re ready to announce the winners for all the conferences, but before we do, we want to take this opportunity to thank our judges. 

The RoW conference was judged by a stacked panel of denim experts.

From left to right, we’ve got Rain Deslisle, Viktor Fredback, David Shuck, Benjamin Woodhouse, Matthew Wilson, Pey Van Der Wel, Gavin Smith, and Thomas Stege Bojer. 

The SEA conference had an equally impressive list of experts and notable enthusiasts.

From left to right we’ve got Edie Lim, Andrea Baburske, Harsri Chie, Rendy Soemadinata, Florian Leikam, Kai Huang, Noenggaling Tjatur, and Gavin Smith.

Huge thanks to all of our judges for their time and their thoughtful judging notes, which we’ve excerpted below. 

Now, without further ado, our winners.

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Rest of the World Conference Winners

10th: Kyle Knight – Strike Gold 9903 (24.8 oz.)

One of our wildcard pairs, these are a perfect example of what this new super-stiff Strike Gold denim can do when pushed hard.

They arrived on the finish line in a cloud of dust and grime, and they definitely earned their spot in our Top 10. 

What the Judges Loved

David: “The perfect fade to accentuate this heavy denim.” 

Gavin: “Clearly a daily companion. Worn and lived in.” 

Pey: “Look like old miner jeans—straight out of the dusty dark.” 

Strike Gold’s 9903 jeans are available at Redcast Heritage.

9th: James Casburn – Iron Heart 555XHS (25 oz.)

For those who appreciate hard-worn high-contrast pairs, James is in a class of his own.

He’s one of the hardest-working guys in the field, and it shows in the incredible fades he’s able to produce in a remarkably short period of time. Hope we’ll see him back again to challenge for a podium spot in Y5. 

What the Judges Loved

Pey: “Great wear, and great contrast!”

Benjamin: “Some of the best stack fades I’ve seen.”

Thomas: “Only the most dedicated faders can achieve results like these. 

Get a pair of Iron Heart’s super heavyweight 555-XHS jeans here.

8th: Cade Schmutz – Brave Star Mojave (25 oz.)

Our honest-to-goodness cowboy put these Brave Stars through the wringer this year, and, once again, his ability to produce contrast fades and authentic wear patterns is nearly unmatched in this competition. A true-blue lifestyle fader that we’re intensely proud to call one of our own. 

What the Judges Loved

Benjamin: “Don’t even get me started on how well the stacks meet the combs then onto the whiskers. Wow!” 

Cade: “Repairs that look instant, functional, and honest. These jeans have been loved.” 

Thomas: “Stacking isn’t normally my thing, but these results speak for themselves.” 

You can pick up a pair of Brave Star Mojave jeans right here.

7th: Charles Stockstrom – Iron Heart 805 (21 oz.)

With his working days filled with dirty and sweaty work, Charles brings so much of that authentic blue-collar fading style into this competition, and we’re grateful for his presence.

One of two pairs of these 805s in the Top 10, his repairs and honest wear pulled him easily into the middle of our Top 10.

What the Judges Loved

Matthew: “Impressive dedication—almost as impressive as the fades. Beautiful repairs.”

Benjamin: “Top notch sashiko.” 

Thomas: “Real workwear in all its natural beauty.” 

Get your 21 oz. overalls directly from Iron Heart here.

6th: Harry Kasim – Pinion 6th Anniversary (25 oz.)

Two of our judges called this pair “refreshing”. It’s been a great year for Pinion’s remarkable 6th anniversary pair, with multiple faders doing their level best to bring out the best of this eye-catching selvedge. As a past winner of the competition, it’s no surprise that Harry’s come out on top.

What the Judges Loved

Benjamin: “The purple weft caught my eye. Very unique and interesting!” 

Viktor: “Daring choice of denim, and bonus points for pulling it off! Refreshing and unexpected.”

Rain: “The purpley-blue hues across the seat are just gorgeous! A great reminder for everybody to have fun with their denim.” 

Pinion has a wide selections of fits and denims—find your favourite here.

5th: Hiroki Tanaka – Studio D’Artisan 103 (15 oz.)

One word came up over and over again in the judges’ comments: “marble”. The backside of these jeans is like nothing we’ve ever seen before, and it proved utterly enchanting for our judges. We’d love to hear more from Hiroki about how this effect was achieved. It’s pure denim alchemy! 

What the Judges Loved

Matthew: “Looks like marble.” 

David: “Never seen a more evolved pair of 103s—a notoriously difficult pair to fade. The overall marbling effect is wild.” 

Pey: “Like looking into the arctic sea during a storm. Magical!”

Redcast Heritage will sell you a pair of SDA 103 jeans—get them here!

4th: Jørn-Bjørn Fuller-Gee – Iron Heart 805 (21 oz.)

Making his home near the Arctic Circle in the north of Norway, the Denim Dawg has endeared himself to everybody in this competition with his warm and open heart and his carefree and child-like love of the fading process. He embodies the Indigo Spirit, but it’s not his heart that’s earned his spot here—it’s his beautiful fades. 

What the Judges Loved

Benjamin: “Full respect to anybody who puts this much wear into a pair of dungarees.” 

Gavin: “My number one pick. A stunning range of shades. Just incredible.” 

David: “I’ve never seen a better faded pair of overalls.” 

Convinced to try a pair of heavyweight denim overalls? Get yours here!

3rd: Ella Dawn Jenkins – Self-Made (13.5 oz.)

Last year’s Lady Fader of the Year, Ella has been a backbone figure in this community since she joined us. Her passions for crafting, repairing, and fading make her one of the most inspiring figures in our world.

The pair she made for this competition has been loved and repaired with tender and caring hands, and they earned her top marks from three of our judges.

What the Judges Loved

Matthew: “They haven’t been worn for fades. They’ve been worn for life!” 

Rain: “The obvious first choice here. No-nonsense and very personal. You can feel the sincerity in every stitch.” 

Viktor: “Easily the top choice in the competition. As smooth and beautiful as a harp played in an open meadow.” 

2nd: Evan Rutledge – Warehouse 1000XX DSB (13.3 oz.)

Evan’s approach to fading doesn’t feel deliberate or overly fussy. He wears and washes in equal measure, and it’s utterly transparent that his pairs have been lived in—lived long and well. Deeply authentic and true to the spirit of vintage workwear, they make our heart sing.

What the Judges Loved

Matthew: “Wasn’t too precious about washing. I appreciate that.” 

Thomas: “The most authentic fades of the bunch. It doesn’t look like he’s trying to fade his jeans. It just happens, naturally.” 

Pey: “Look like they’ve been found in an old warehouse. Super sweet vintage fades.” 

Viktor: “Would be happy to wear these bad boys myself!” 

Hinoya stocks these beautiful Warehouse jeans—buy them here!

1st: Scott Stasiuk – Iron Heart 634S-UHR (23 oz.)

While some pairs produced wild swings in the voting, Scott’s pair was the dependable tortoise, placing on the podium for nearly all our judges. They are a perfect example of the kind of genuine, no-nonsense fades that drew so many of us into the world of selvedge. 

Authentic and deeply appreciated by all, we’re proud to crown this pair as our Y5 champion. Take note: this kind of approach is the perfect recipe for those who want to turn indigo and cotton into solid gold.

What the Judges Loved

Matthew: “Jeans that are a part of life, not all of it.”

Gavin: “Every line and every detail falls in the correct spot. Classic fade pattern.” 

Thomas: “I love the subtle contrasts, and the brightness of the thighs.” 

Rain: “Cool TV static blue, and tons of midtones that makes these jeans special. Worn the right way.” 

Viktor: “Reminds me of some 1920s farmer’s jeans in my collection. 

David: “An authentic quality that doesn’t look cartoonish.” 

Want fades like these? Pick up a pair of these jeans at Iron Heart here.

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Southeast Asian Conference Winners

10th: Aditya Setiawan – OldBlue Beast (23 oz.)

Clearly worn for outdoor work, our judges recognized that these had been worked hard out in the open for the duration of the competition.

The fades look accidental and remarkable. A great pair of OldBlues worn earnestly and vigorously. 

What the Judges Loved

Rens: “Love the yellowing effect.”

Florian: “The combs look perfect.”

OldBlue has as solid selection of heavyweight jeans—find your next pair here.

9th: Syed Bashira – Strike Gold 9903 (24.8 oz.)

The secret is out. This new 24.8 oz. selvedge from Strike Gold is producing some of the most striking contrast fades we’ve ever seen.

Based on this incredible pair from Syed, we’ll likely see a lot more of this denim in Y5. Just look at those craters and the whiskers that almost reach all the way to the hips! Spectacular.

What the Judges Loved

Florian: “This might be the most appealing fade pattern in the Top 20. I love the grainy look around the upper thighs.” 

Hasri: “The ankle fades are particularly eye-catching.” 

Noenggaling: “Like watching waves on the ocean.” 

Buy these super heavyweight Strike Gold jeans at Redcast Heritage.

8th: Rico Ahmad – Adelaide Kamikaze (18 oz.)

Even our judges who tended to prefer vintage fades couldn’t turn away from this pair of Adelaides and its beautiful range of colours.

The 3D effect is remarkable. You can really see the thigh bones of the fader who wore this pair. The swirling inky tones in the top block draw and hold the eye.

What the Judges Loved

Rens: “Beautiful whiskers and honeycombs”

Gavin: “Amazing! Love the fade lines standing out from the backdrop of consistent indigo loss” 

Hasri: “Very refined natural fades.” 

7th: Nigon Konkhamrat – Piger Works 20MF (20 oz.)

Our judges loved the way Nigon’s jeans stacked naturally and the way this pair has a distinct “lived-in” look.

Piger Work’s Master of Fades is proving itself as a remarkably good fade foundation, and Nigon is showing that he belongs in our Top 10. We hope we’ll see him come back and challenge for a podium position next year.

What the Judges Loved

Gavin: “My top pick! So contrasted while still being natural and vintage. The denim texture is amazing.” 

Andrea: “My top pick. Nothing too sharp, but everything is really well defined.” 

You can buy a pair of the 20MF jeans directly from Piger Works here.

6th: Nathaniel Sukardi – Iron Heart 777S-UHR (23 oz.)

We love to see Iron Heart pairs subjected to the heat and humidity in Southeast Asia, and Nathaniel has done complete justice to this pair, brining out the magical blue tones that UHR selvedge is famous for. The blown-out knee really shows that this pair has been worn hard. 

What the Judges Loved

Edie: “These would make Haraki-san proud!”

Galing: “Truly magical whiskers!”

Gavin: “Beaten without mercy!”

Want slim-tapered and super heavyweight? Get a pair of 777-XHS jeans!

5th: Steven Cassidy – OldBlue Beasts (23 oz.)

Some of the cleanest fades we’ve ever seen in the competition. What might be most remarkable about the pair is how perfectly symmetrical they are—and yet, somehow, the result doesn’t feel forced.

Steven has magical legs, and the combination of those legs and this pair is absolute dynamite.

What the Judges Loved

Rens: “Very clean! The true blue colour really stands out.” 

Florian: “My top pick. The perfect balance of contrast and traditional fades. 

Galing: “Perfect balance between the left and right sides”

Check out OldBlue’s has selection of heavyweight jeans here.

4th: Angga Febryan – Samurai 003JP (21 oz.)

Samurais did very well in the Southeast Asian conference this year, with the help of incredible faders like Angga, who have really brought the best out of some of the brand’s most remarkable denims.

The creamy tones he managed to bring out here utterly enchanted our judges. Very nearly made the podium. 

What the Judges Loved

Florian: “I like the electric blue ‘70s colour. Very unique.”

Gavin: “An absolutely perfect example of well-worn denim.’ 

Redcast Heritage has a great selection of Samurai jeans.

3rd: Abdul Latif Ibrahim – Samurai 511XX25oz-YY (25 oz.)

It’s back to back Samurais, with Abdul’s pair getting the nod for the intensity of his fades.

It’s clear that Abdul has put his back into it with this pair, and the heavy Samurais have responded by casting off indigo like crazy. The stacking here very nearly earned Abdul the gold medal.

What the Judges Loved

Rens: “Crazy! Beyond belief. This guy is wearing his pair with maximum intensity.” 

Galing: “Worn out, but he’s still managed to preserve all the details.” 

Find a pair of Samurai jeans at Franklin & Poe.

2nd: Mohamad Azizi Syah – Pure Blue Japan XX-18oz-013 (18 oz.)

Pure Blue Japan pairs are prized for their texture, and Mohamad has found that perfect tipping point where both the aggressive fading and the denim’s remarkable texture push to the front. Balanced and striking, they received high marks from nearly all our judges.

What the Judges Loved

Rens: “My top choice. Very clean fades on a double-indigo denim that is very tough to crack.”

Florian: “Overall impression is this one’s a winner”

Kai: “Natural and well-worn. Interesting asymmetrical honeycombs.”

Pure Blue Japan is available at Blue in Green and Redcast Heritage.

1st: Al-Aqhsar Ali Baba – Oni Asphalt (20 oz.)

It was a photo finish between the three Malaysian faders, but Al-Aqhsar Ali Baba was ahead by a whisker when he crossed the line. It’s Oni’s first time on the top of the podium, and it’s a remarkable fader that’s helped showcase what this incredible Asphalt denim is capable of producing when pushed. 

Compare this pair to Scott Stasiuk’s Iron Hearts, which took gold in the RoW conference. You’ll notice a theme. This year’s winning fades aren’t the most striking contrasts or wildest stacks. They’re just an authentic pair of well-loved jeans. In the eyes of our judges, this is what fading is all about.

What the Judges Loved

Florian: “I would love to see this pair in person.” 

Gavin: “Look like they’ve been worn daily for five years.” 

Galing: “Remarkably smooth fading.” 

You can buy a pair of these winning jeans at Hinoya.

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Re(Pair) Winners

5th: Rob Griffith – Realign Tapered Yoshi (16 oz.)

With Realigns only emerging a few years ago, it’s a safe bet that this is the best faded example of Realigns anywhere in the world.

A testament both to the care with which the pair was made, but also to the slow-fading arts of our man Rob, who has, after two years of fading, produced a masterpiece.

What the Judges Loved

Viktor: “Great vintage feeling. Overall, they’re in great condition.” 

Get yourself a pair of Realign jeans directly from their webshop here.

4th: Merdeka Hutapea – Wingman Sherman (23 oz.)

The depth of the fading on both front and back give these an unworldly quality. This is what happens when high contrast fades are given more time to develop and mature.

The colour gradient below the knees (terminating in cuffs that are nearly black) helped pull this remarkable pair into the winner’s circle.

What the Judges Loved

Pey: “Fades like these can’t be faked. Like a Kodak negative. Beautiful!”

Viktor: “The consistency is supreme. Great stuff.” 

Want to try a pair of Wingman jeans? Get them here!

3rd: Mifflin Mabalot – Samurai 510XX (21 oz.)

Mifflin has long held that he needs two years to produce his best work on a pair, and here’s the proof of that.

Starting with a great pair of Samurais, he’s managed to produce a pair that makes all of us (including our judges) want a pair just like this. Very nearly a silver medalist. 

What the Judges Loved

Matthew: “Looks like a gas flame. So sick!”

Viktor: “GREAT! I would buy these jeans myself based on how they’ve faded here.” 

Franklin & Poe stocks the 21 oz. 510XX and you can buy them here.

2nd: Jonte Schlenz – Samurai 510XX-25oz-HJ (25 oz.)

A great combination of fades and presentation. Quite a few of our judges noted how nice it was to see the jeans in motion rather than laid flat. The pictures showcased not only the fit, but also the exceptional fades that Jonte produced over the last two full years of wear. A well-deserved silver medal.

What the Judges Loved

Matthew: “No nonsense. Pure and simple. A beautifully faded pair.” 

Pey: “Looks like they’ve been worked hard and continuously.” 

Viktor: “Top choice for sure. A perfect fit and a great testament to Samurai doing jeans the right way.”  

Samurai is availiable at Redcast Heritage and Franklin & Poe.

1st: Martin Cannert – TCB 50s Straight (13.5 oz.)

Vintage fades can sometimes fade into the background, but not these. These elbowed their way to the front of the crowd, demanding to be recognized. And recognize them they did! Receiving a near-perfect score from all of our judges, they sailed into first place.

This is TCB’s first time on top of the podium, and Martin and TCB have both earned this spot by making and fading denim the right way. Nothing fussy here—just true-blue beauties that every denim lover would love to have hanging on their wall.

What the Judges Loved

Matthew: “TCB has the look and feel of old-school Levi’s down pat. This pair proves that.”

Pey: “A kind of calm vintage. Nice machine repairs.” 

Viktor: “Perfect!”

You can pick up a pair of TCB 50s Straight right here.

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Who Is the World’s Best Deim Fader? 

We have winners for each of our conferences, but we don’t yet know who will be crowned the overall winner. With the help of world-class fading expert Ruedi Karrer, we’ll be putting the winners of the RoW and SEA conferences into a head-to-head battle to determine who is our overall winner. Watch this space, we’ll have that announcement for you very soon. 

The post The Results Are In: 25 Contest-Winning Raw Denim Fades appeared first on Denimhunters.

DENIM and PATCHES sourced this post originally published on this site