Founded in 2012 by Anthony Lupesco in the historic Shockoe Bottom district of Richmond, Shockoe Atelier blends European tailoring tradition with American denim culture.
Lupesco’s background in Italian luxury fashion (from brands like Versace and Belvest) informs the label’s refined aesthetic and manufacturing standards, all executed locally in a transparent, in-house workshop.
n a historic neighborhood that once echoed with the hum of commerce, Shockoe Atelier has established itself as a beacon of craft, innovation, and dedication to the art of American denim.
What sets Shockoe apart is its commitment to keeping production close to home. Initially located in Shockoe Bottom and now at 1623 West Broad Street, the atelier integrates its factory and storefront, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the making of its pieces. This transparency not only underscores their commitment to quality but invites the Richmond community to become part of their story.
Interesting is the fact that unlike many denim brands which draw from the mythology of Levi’s or mid-20th-century Americana, Shockoe’s approach to jeans is distinctly its own.
“We didn’t know how to make jeans when we started,” Lupesco admits. Instead, they leaned on their expertise in fine tailoring to redefine what denim could be. The result? A product that’s both difficult to categorize and impossible to ignore.
Each pair of jeans takes roughly two hours to create, a process handled entirely in-house by a tight-knit team of nine. This approach allows for unparalleled attention to detail, from the selection of selvedge denim – often sourced from Japanese mills – to the careful stitching and hand-finishing of each seam.
The jeans are meant to last a lifetime, a promise backed by their free repair guarantee for rips, tears, and blowouts.
You can shop for Shockoe Atelier clothing on their website.
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