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A 15-Year Milestone, the Weirloom Regular Fit, and Some Fresh Guides

Happy New Year. I hope you’ve had a good start to 2026. I took a short break over the holidays, so this is the first weekly update in a few weeks.

As I mentioned in my last email newsletter before Christmas, I’ve switched platforms. From now on, these weekly updates start as blog posts here on Denimhunters—and will then be sent out as emails.

Why? I realised my newsletters were essentially blog posts already. I spend a fair amount of time putting them together, so it felt a bit silly to only share them with my email subscribers (even though my list did grow a fair bit in 2025, and is now closing in on 12,000 readers—thank you 🥹).

So welcome to the first issue of the new DH Weekly.

I’ve Got a HUGE Milestone Coming Up!

In exactly three weeks—on January 30—Denimhunters turns 15 years old. Fifteen years! I almost can’t believe it. I never would’ve dared dream of this when I started the site as a little side project during my business school gap year.

If you know me, you know I don’t like to brag (that’s what growing up in rural Denmark does to you), but I’m genuinely proud of how far the site has come—and honestly, just that it’s still going … because I came close to shutting it down more than once.

There’ll be something happening to celebrate it, for sure, but I won’t share all the details just yet—just know it might involve something you can win or buy.

Making the Case for the Weirloom Regular Fit

When I started my own brand, I made the first two jeans productions on pre-order. The idea was simple: make what I could sell—not a lot more. Most of the jeans were spoken for before they even arrived.

With the third production, I did things differently: no pre-order.

This is the successor of the first Weirloom jeans. Same regular fit. Same Italian selvedge denim. Same solid construction. Just with a few “aesthetic” upgrades.

But because I didn’t do a pre-order campaign, I never really got to talk about them. That’s changing now—I’m putting the WL#1 Regular Fit in the spotlight.

If you’re looking for a pair of jeans with a truly timeless fit, made from real denim, built to last, I think this is a pretty good place to start. Go have a look for yourself.

In the Industry? This One’s Relevant for You

2026 also marks ten years since Blue Blooded came out—and that also means it’s ten years since I first visited the denim trade show in Munich called Bluezone. The show takes place twice a year.

I’m not attending this edition of the show myself, unfortunately, due to other obligations—I’ll be exhibiting with Weirloom at a show in Copenhagen that week.

But that doesn’t mean I can’t help spread the good word. So expect a few blog posts and mentions on the show this month.

If you’re already planning to visit, but haven’t registered yet, you can do so here.

Omoto Jeans—What to Know Before You Buy

I’ve just published a new buying guide to Omoto, the Japanese denim brand that launched in 2025, and immediately kicked in the doors at some of the strongest retailers in the scene, including Redcast Heritage, Franklin & Poe, and Cultizm.

In the guide, I break down the three core fits and denims, with notes on sizing, feel, and what to expect long-term.

If Omoto has caught your attention and you’re considering a pair, this one’s worth reading before you buy. Read the guide here.

The Bandana Guide Has Been Refreshed

Over the holidays, I spent some time digging into how content on Denimhunters actually performs. One thing that stood out was the bandana guide. It’s been getting a fair amount of attention, but it was clearly outdated and due for a refresh.

The bandana guide is part of the early work I did with Bryan, when we put together what we called the ‘Well-Made Essentials’—the kind of menswear denimheads gravitate towards (beyond selvedge jeans), such as loopwheeled T-shirts, N1 deck jackets, selvedge denim shirts, raw denim jackets—and, for some, bandanas.

The guide has been refreshed, changing the focus from individual products to brands that make great bandanas. That makes it more useful over time, and it also means links won’t go out of date as quickly—which is better for you, and frankly better for the site too.

If bandanas are already part of your rotation—or you’ve been meaning to add one—this is a good place to start. Find a bandana here.

The post Why I’m Done Building My Newsletter on Rented Land appeared first on Denimhunters.

DENIM and PATCHES sourced this post originally published on this site

Pakistan’s denim fabric export landscape experienced crucial developments during the third quarter (Q3) of 2024 and 2025 (July to September). This period is pivotal for global supply chains, often setting the stage for year-end performance. As Pakistani exporters continue to strategically position themselves amidst evolving global trade patterns and competitive pricing pressures, a focused comparative analysis of the July to September data between 2024 and 2025 is essential. This detailed comparison will illuminate significant shifts in export volume, average pricing, and the concentration of major buyers, offering critical intelligence for sector-wide planning and future market penetration

Rest of the report is visible to our paid subscribers. In case you wish to contact us for more info at , send email at mktg@balajiinternational.com . To see all protected reports titles,visit this page http://www.denimsandjeans.com/subscriber-only-reports-3

The post Pakistan’s Denim Fabric Export – 2024 vs. 2025 | July To September – A Comparative Analysis appeared first on Denimandjeans.

DENIM and PATCHES sourced this post originally published on this site

KB Denim is a an egyptian manufacturer of high-quality, sustainable denim and gabardine fabrics. With advanced technology and global certifications, KB Denim creates innovative textiles that meet the needs of fashion brands worldwide.As they are participating in 2nd edition od D&J Eygypt , we had an interview with them to know more about them. Below is the complete information:

KB DENIM is one of the important denim mills in Egypt. Can you share with us your history and your plans for growth over the next few years?

KB Denim was founded after years of experience in the textile industry, when the Koudsi and Ballo families decided it was time to elevate their long-standing business to a new level. This strategic step led to the establishment of KB Denim, with a clear mission: expanding the supply of high-quality denim across the MENA region, Africa, and ultimately global markets. From day one, we built an integrated, innovative operation offering sustainable solutions, with full in-house control from spinning and weaving to finishing and delivery. This vertically integrated system has ensured continuous, stable, and high-quality production up to today.

Looking ahead, our growth plan focuses on three pillars:
– Innovation: introducing new denim designs and upgrading our finishing techniques.
– Sustainability: strengthening our water-saving efforts and expanding our recycled-
material programs.
– Market Expansion: strengthening our footprint in Europe, America and Africa while
developing new partnerships in emerging markets.

As a denim and gabardine producer, how do you see the current Egyptian market and how do you foresee its growth in the coming years?

The Egyptian market is experiencing a gradual but steady rise in demand for locally produced fabrics, especially as brands aim to shorten supply chains and rely less on imports. Denim and gabardine consumption is growing due to increased interest from global garment manufacturers and export-oriented factories.

In the coming years, we expect growth to accelerate, driven by:
– Government support for local manufacturing
– Growing interest in Egyptian-made textiles from Europe and Africa
– Rising adoption of sustainable fabrics
Egypt is well-positioned to become a stronger regional hub for denim and woven fabrics.

You are joining us again at D&J Egypt show in its second edition in Jan 2026. How was your experience in the first edition, and what new collections are you presenting this year?

Our first experience at D&J Egypt was extremely positive; it helped us connect directly with
global brands, regional manufacturers, and sustainability-driven partners. The show successfully highlighted Egypt’s potential as a denim sourcing destination.

For the 2026 edition, we will present fabric variation:
-Vintage delight: Authentic Denim aesthetics with more enhanced character, style and
elegance in daily life
-Cracky: Blending Casual with Classy outlook
-Slubs: Natural to special designed classy slubs with salt and pepper look
-Gabardin Complete color Pallete
-Performance Fabrics: strength , Durability, Moisture management, Thermo-regulation
With distinguished Colors
-Nile Silt and Stone : Earth Colors inspired by Egyptian Desert ( Sulfur )
-Blues: Unmatched indigo tones with impressive wash offs

And in terms of Sustainability:
– Energy Conservation Processes, Enhanced Life cycle of the Denim
– Ozone and Laser Friendly Fabrics, Recycled and upcycled materials.
– Innovative high energy efficient processes with least emissions and impact to the environment

As an Egyptian company with strategic geographic advantages, how do you
position KB DENIM for export markets, and what lead-time, logistic, or tariff
challenges do you face?

We position KB Denim as a strong, fast, flexible, and strategically located supplier for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Egypt’s proximity to major markets gives us competitive transit times, enabling quicker delivery and faster reaction to market demands.
As for our advantages, Egypt’s location gives us short lead-times to Europe, supported by strong regional logistics into the GCC and North Africa, as well as several free trade agreements that help maintain competitive tariffs. On the other hand, we mainly face minor challenges such as occasional shipping delays or longer transit times during busy seasons. However, we mitigate these challenges through strong logistics planning and diversified export routes.

Beyond certifications, can you share a specific sustainability project you’ve
implemented recently with measurable outcomes?

Recently, we completed an exciting upcycling project in collaboration with one of the most
active and prestigious design platforms in Egypt, Cairo Design District. Through this initiative, design students created unique dresses using denim and gabardine waste materials from our mill. The project not only showcased creative reuse of production leftovers but also highlighted the practical impact of upcycling in reducing waste and extending the life cycle of our fabrics.

The global denim/fabric market is highly competitive. What is your unique value
proposition compared to Turkey, India, Bangladesh, and Vietnam?

KB Denim’s competitive edge lies in:
-Vertical integration under one roof for reliable consistency and faster delivery
-Proximity to Europe enabling shorter lead-times
-Cost-effective production compared to many competitors
-Sustainable manufacturing aligned with global certifications
-Design agility we can co-create fabrics with brands quickly and efficiently
-Egypt’s strategic location offering logistical and tariff advantages in many markets
Together, these strengths allow us to offer a unique mix of quality and speed.

If you had to summarise KB DENIM’s future vision in one sentence, what would it be? And what is the next major R&D or investment taking you toward that vision?

Our vision is to lead the region with innovative, sustainable, and high-performance denim that transform ideas into reality.
Next major R&D or investment:
KB Denim is focused not only on today’s Needs but aware of the future challenges and the vision is not to sell the fabric but to be a leading denim company known for being innovative, customer focused and always be preferred Denim company.
KB believes R&D is the Key to be relevant in the market which makes us to fulfil todays and future needs Road Map Ahead and Investments Research and Development Incubation Centre

Covering:

-Evolution of the Denim Manufacturing Processes (Zero Carbon Foot print, Zero Water Discharge,
Water less process, Foams Application, etc).
-State of the Art New Denim Manufacturing Facility, vertically integrated having control on all
inputs to deliver customers service and satisfaction
-Post Consumer Waste Recycling projects
-Collaborations with Brands, Designers and the institutions
-Addition of More Performance Fabrics
-Addition of Digitalized processes for decreasing the process lead times and making higher end
Fabrics quick delivery possibilities
-Warp Knit Concept Denim Fabric for Athleisure

Save Dates for Denimsandjeans (D&J) 2026

D&J Vietnam | D&J Egypt | D&J India | D&J Japan

The post KB Denim: Driving Innovation and Sustainable Growth in Egypt’s Denim Industry appeared first on Denimandjeans.

DENIM and PATCHES sourced this post originally published on this site

Exclusive Interview with CEO Mustafa Denizer

Diktas is a long-established company in Turkey’s sewing thread and yarn industry. Interview with Mustafa Denizer explores the company’s global growth through long-term investments, multi-country manufacturing, and strategic partnerships with leading brands.

As the textile landscape evolves, Diktas is expanding its international footprint. The company is adapting to rising demands for denim performance, sustainability, and responsible sourcing.

In this exclusive interview, CEO Mustafa Denizer shares insights into the company’s growth journey. He also discusses the impact of the QIZ framework, sustainability priorities, upcoming innovations, and Diktas’s strategic roadmap for the next five years.

Diktas has a long history in sewing thread and yarn production. How would you describe your core strengths today? And what has allowed you to grow significantly over decades?

Diktas, founded in 1945, is an 80-year-old company deeply rooted in sewing thread production. In its early years, the textile industry was almost entirely cotton-based, and our operations reflected that landscape. As the sector transformed in the 1980s with the introduction of new fibers and technologies, Diktas evolved in parallel expanding its industrial thread portfolio while continuing to serve the hand-knitting and hobby markets, particularly products designed for women and end consumers.

This dual-market focus enabled us to build two long-standing brands with strong recognition in the Turkish market. One of our longstanding strengths is that nearly everything produced in our factories is sold under Diktaş-owned brands. We do not sell raw materials, and contract manufacturing has always been extremely limited. This approach created a healthy, balanced structure: a robust industrial thread range for apparel manufacturers combined with a strong consumer-facing hobby segment.

A major turning point came in 2007, when Diktas established a greenfield investment in Egypt. This facility continued to grow and helped transform the company into a multinational producer. The expansion opened doors to new markets, enabling us to sign licensing agreements and later enter strategic production partnerships with some of the world’s top thread and accessories manufacturers.

Today, our international partners include A&E, Gütermann, Wing Hing, Copen, and TAT Zippers. These collaborations began as licensing agreements and gradually deepened into strategic alliances that combine technical exchange, shared innovation, and market development. For us, working with these international brands has supported our technical development and market expansion.

Diktas is now transitioning into a five-country manufacturing group. In addition to Egypt, we have launched operations in two more countries, with a fifth planned in the coming years. We are also expanding our product ecosystem by adding new categories including items we do not produce ourselves but distribute through our established brand network.

Despite global demand challenges and rising input costs in Turkey, we continue to scale. Over the next five years, we project 50% growth driven by new factories, new product categories, and advanced technology partnerships. Diktas is expanding its international operations and strengthening its business structure.

Your product range includes industrial sewing threads, nylon/polyester threads, cotton threads, and hand-knitting yarns. Which of these categories has the most applications in denim, and how do you see this category growing, especially within the QIZ framework?

In denim, performance is everything. Because denim garments undergo intense washing, abrasion, laser finishing, tinting, and other demanding treatments, the threads must maintain exceptional durability, strength, and color consistency. For this reason, the leading thread types used in denim production are poly-core threads, high-tenacity polyester threads, and bonded polyester threads.

Today’s denim supply chains require not only durability but variety. Brands typically need five to six different thread types simultaneously to meet diverse stitching, strength, and texture requirements. Speed has also become a critical factor. Customers who once tolerated 10 – 12 week lead times now expect samples within days, salesman samples soon after, and bulk production delivered in 3 – 4 weeks. Diktas has built the rapid-response manufacturing model needed to support this new reality.

Within the QIZ (Qualified Industrial Zones) framework, the growth potential becomes even stronger. Historically, QIZ provided roughly a 30% cost advantage for Egyptian apparel exports to the U.S. With the recent tariff changes introduced under the Trump administration, Egypt’s competitiveness has increased even further. When combined with QIZ benefits, the total cost advantage can reach 30 – 50% compared to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, China, or Vietnam.

While global demand softness is currently affecting overall export growth, the tariff structure positions Egypt for long-term expansion potentially 20% annual growth in U.S.-focused apparel exports.

Moreover, Egypt benefits from Mercosur, Agadir, and Euro-One trade agreements, making it a strategically well-connected sourcing destination.

As Diktas, we are now a key supplier across the QIZ supply chain. We aim to support customers with critical components – including sewing threads, zippers, pocketing fabrics, and buttons, contributing meaningfully to the 10.6% input requirement for QIZ-qualified manufacturers. This allows us to play a broader role within the QIZ supply chain.

With the growing global emphasis on responsible sourcing, how does Diktas approach sustainability in raw materials, manufacturing processes, and environmental or social compliance?

For Diktas, sustainability is not a trend , it is an obligation. We view environmental responsibility as a core part of our operational approach. Our sustainability strategy encompasses major investments in green energy, reduced water consumption, improved production efficiency, and strict adherence to environmental and social compliance standards.

We continuously enhance our certification portfolio, and these certifications influence our operational standards and continuous improvement efforts.

The next major shift in the industry will be the expanded use of recycled products, and we are fully prepared. We have already implemented internal material recycling programs and are actively expanding our capabilities in plastics and packaging recycling.

Additionally, we work closely with our American partners to ensure our compliance systems meet world-class sustainability benchmarks. This collaborative, transparent approach strengthens our position as a responsible global manufacturer.

Thank you for supporting the D&J Show in Egypt. What are your thoughts on the show, and how can it become even more relevant for the Egyptian market?

From both an industrial and investment standpoint, events like Denimsandjeans play a crucial role in strengthening national textile ecosystems. When a country grows economically and industrially, companies like ours grow with it. Supporting such events is therefore both a responsibility and a way to contribute to the markets where we operate.

The show launched last year with great success, and it will be even stronger this year. Egypt’s denim sector is sizable and continues to expand. The event provides an important platform connecting manufacturers, suppliers, designers, and global brands.

What makes this show especially strong is the combined support of Egyptian ministries, local investors, and the Turkish textile community. This community views Egypt as a strategic market and contributes valuable experience to the platform.

Our long-term vision is to further professionalize and expand the event. We aim to strengthen links with international textile exhibitions and increase its value for the entire industry.

Looking at innovation, what will be the most important product categories for denim and non-denim segments?

For both denim and non-denim, we expect the core product groups of the past five years to remain dominant. In denim, key thread categories such as poly/poly, poly/cotton, nylon filaments, bonded threads, and chlorine-resistant dyeable threads will continue to lead. Their reliability during heavy washing and finishing processes remains critical.

In non – denim, cotton threads used in garment dyeing remain essential. At the same time, elastic threads are becoming more important as stretch fabrics gain market share.

Instead of dramatic changes in product composition, the next stage of competitiveness will revolve around service. Brands are demanding more color options, fewer standard models, faster sampling, and more complex decorative stitching. This means flexibility, speed, and technical reliability will be the true differentiators for suppliers.

Looking ahead 3 – 5 years, what are Diktaş’s priorities?

Our roadmap centers on ambitious growth of approximately 50% over the next five years. This will be driven by new factories, expanded markets, and additional product groups.

Diktas is on track to operate manufacturing facilities in five countries, giving us greater flexibility, resilience, and proximity to customers.

We plan to enter accessory and garment trim categories through joint ventures and partnerships – including pocketing, zippers, and buttons. Additionally, we are also preparing investments in specialized technical threads for high-value niche applications.

In short, Diktas is evolving into a wider and more international group. This growth is built on sustainability, multi-country operations, and a long-term strategic vision.

Register here to attend Denimsandjeans Egypt Show.

Save Dates for Denimsandjeans (D&J) 2026

D&J Vietnam | D&J Egypt | D&J India

The post Interview with Mustafa Denizer: Inside the Global Growth of Diktas  appeared first on Denimandjeans.

DENIM and PATCHES sourced this post originally published on this site