EDWIN denim gets together with Yohji Yamamoto Inc. for the introduction of Yohji Jeans – a new collaborative line between the two Japanese brands. The signature Yohji line looks to be a production and distribution deal where the designer has licensed his name for the work. ”Naked” is the first collection from Yohji Jeans, “a metaphor for rebirth evoking the pureness of the line and the simplicity of the wardrobe.” Look for the collection to land in shops around June 2012.

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Our friends at Tenue de Nimes worked with one of Japan’s oldest denim makers, Big John, on a pair of natual indigo denim. The slim tapered fit of the Big John M1002 from 1967 made from a 14.5 oz jeans fabric gets a re-work for 2012. Using the bright blue “Ruri” color, the Big John x Tenue de Nimes denim also pays homage to 60’s Cone Mills with a yellow selvedge line.

24 total pairs of the denim have been produced. Available online now.

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A husband and wife enterprise straight out of North Carolina, we continue to chart the progress of Raleigh Denim. The company maintain a strong ‘Made in our own backyard’ ethos, with a small team of skilled men and women working with homegrown materials on original machines – still sewing strong. Of course, based in NC they’ve access to some of the greatest denim in the world, created on Cone Mills shuttles. The Spring/Summer looks are a coming together of top quality denim with a slimmer cut. For those who prefer their jeans more slim line but struggle to find a good pair in solid selvedge, Raleigh might just be the answer. Alongside their trademark indigo, check out the casual shirts and a rather smart leather ‘Barracuda’ jacket.

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We continue to follow the progress of British label Tender, a favourite and the sort of  brand that comes with a warm, caring feeling around it and not just because of the name (Tender is also a reference to the truck which carried coal on a locomotive, check the backdrop).

Keeping hands on with the entire production process, everything’s researched, designed and carefully crafted so the finish product will survive the rigours of life on the railway or tube, whichever you generally find yourself on. Dye, denim and cotton are their staples, see what they’ve done with them for the summer months.

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Levi’s Vintage Clothing produce this impressive Spring Summer 2012 lookbook as a limited edition collectors item. Expertly put together by New Future Graphics, the brand look back through their sizable archives for inspiration for both the collection and the design of the book.

If you still have an aversion to double denim then this may not be up your street but for anyone interested in the historical side of the fabric and levi’s own origins then click on. END has them.

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Looking for denim that takes inspiration from the fanatical Japanese market? Consider Redux, a one year young Italian denim house that introduces the classic “workwear” looks for the local market. No word on distribution outside of Italy, but worth a look. Soft sanforized denim and well done. Seen at Pitti Uomo.

Photography: Luca Merli/Selectism.com

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Depending on where you sit, Scotch & Soda may not be your denim brand of choice, especially in today’s market which is just saturated with options. So we’ll throw it out there that the new Scotch & Soda – Amsterdam Blaw Spring/Summer 2012 adds to that mix. We’ll let you decide with this video interview/walkthrough featuring Christian Goran.

Edwin make great denim and great videos. If these are two things that interest you then please go ahead and press play. A look behind the scenes at their Japanese factory, these guys take the process of jean making very seriously. “The denim technicians at Edwin are true craftsmen, as their commitment and attention to the product is unquestionably what makes the Edwin product stand out from the mass of denim available within the market today. Whilst this remains ‘production’, the working philosophy remains closer to a greatly more efficient and productive Artisanal method.”

Jake Davis and his camera paid a visit to the desk of Donwan Harrell, founder PRPS. His office is a collection of vintage toys, Japanese mags, collectible denim and various other pieces of old Americana. More cool stuff than one guy could ever need, but I guess he can just right it off as ‘inspiration pieces’.

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Roy Slaper of Roy Jeans returns in late in 2011 with new narrow and straight fits. Using 13oz Cone Mills “unsanforized” denim (the first unsanforized denim from Cone in more than three decades),

Roy Jeans comes correct with newly modified fits that feature detailed stitching, fully lined coin and back pockets, as well as hand-set welts “mimicking the vintage style belt-loops found on many of the best Japanese brands.” The denim is a loomstate unsanforized indigo denim that casts a subtle grey tone. Find them at Self Edge. U.S.A. made.

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