Aussie brand Outland marries quality production with ethical practices. This eco-friendly, ethical denim brand began with an important mission: create jeans that can be a source of good in the world. To accomplish this mission, Outland hires and trains women transitioning out of sex trafficking in Cambodia to produce their jeans. Indeed, founder James Bartle developed a model of sustainable production that allowed him to impart his seamstresses with the ability to change their future and escape the cycle of poverty through fair wages, educational programs and reliable employment. There’s no doubting that they deserve their A+ score in an external audit by the World Aid Ethical Fashion Report. Outland Denim is breaking the typical production process by using only suppliers meeting their strict criteria for sustainability. Outland uses only 100% organic cotton and vegetable derived dyes. Their production uses the newest technology for reducing water and carbon emissions in their stand-alone production house. In fact, they evaluate every step of their supply chain to make sure that it meets the same #ZeroExploitation standards. Outland Denim Fits Although Outland focuses on ethical production and sustainable denim, fit is never compromised. In fact, each fit is expertly designed with an ideal […]

Welcome to Denim Diaries. In this series, we explore the break in process of 6 pairs of Naked & Famous Women’s Jeans. Jen from Vancouver, Zoe from Toronto and Montana from Calgary all weigh in on their first impressions of the Naked & Famous Classic, High Skinny and Max. After 2 weeks of heavy wear, our denim guinea pigs are here to report their initial thoughts on the fits and wear in process of these jeans. The N&F Classic Our brave volunteers all gravitated towards the Naked & Famous Classic, and we can see why. This super high rise, wide leg jean is a fit straight out of the 70s. Zoe chose the Indigo Duck Canvas while Montana and Jen opted for the 11oz Stretch Selvedge, a raw denim fabric that fades beautifully. Like all Naked & Famous’s jeans, both fabrics are made in Japan. Q: What do you like best about the N&F Classic? Jen: I like that the fit is different than anything I’ve owned previously and that they’re raw! They’re my first pair of raw denim. Jen’s Rating of the Classic 11oz Selvedge: Fit: 7, Style: 7, Comfort: 2 Zoe: I love the fit of these. They’re […]

Started in New York in 2002, Rag & Bone has become recognized for the way it melds British heritage with American edge and innovation. The importance of quality, expert craftsmanship and attention to detail is informed by the brand’s core philosophies. And their products speak these philosophies for themselves. Now, the brand has perfected the art of denim manufacturing and carries a number of different fits and styles for Men and Women. The Rag & Bone Fit 2 embodies everything the brand has built and stands for today. Rag & Bone Fit 2 – The Fit: The Fit 2 is a great option for those looking for an updated interpretation of the classic ‘slim-straight’ jean. The front rise sits nicely on the hips, while the back rise is just high enough to avoid showing too much skin when you bend over or crouch down. Additionally, there is a comfortable amount of room in the top block of the jean (from the front rise to the knee), and a slight taper in the bottom block (from the knee to the ankle). Finally, this jean comes in a 34″ which comes in handy for those who need it. For those who don’t, […]

The Challenge with Naked & Famous Women’s Jeans When it comes to denim fabrics, we consider ourselves relatively impartial. Stretch denim? Love it. Raw, Japanese Selvedge? We’re feeling it. High rise, low rise – it doesn’t matter to us. Every jean has a place in our heart. However, we’ve noticed a trend time and time again: the most beautiful, comfortable jeans often start off the most uncomfortable. The same thick fabrics and 98 – 100% cotton blends that lend durability and beautiful fades to a jean are the same features that make them so dang uncomfortable – at least at first. Naked & Famous Women’s Jeans are the perfect embodiment of this denim experience. Longtime Dutil Blog readers will remember the Weathered Project – the 18-month journey of the life of 3 pairs of raw denim. We challenged ourselves to prove once and for all that the initial discomfort of breaking in uncomfortable jeans is worthwhile, and moreover, that you’ll end up with a pair of jeans that make the whole experience worthwhile. What we hope to do here is no different. 6 Jeans. 3 Women. 1 Experiment. Our approach is scientific. Well, as scientific as it can be. We […]

When Brandon Svarc launched Naked & Famous Denim in 2008 he brought raw denim to the forefront of the Canadian clothing market. His focus was to create great, no-B.S. jeans from beautiful Japanese denim without the fanfare of celebrity endorsement. When the Naked & Famous women’s line launched a few years later, the brand’s design team focussed their attention on constructing basic fits: a mid-skinny, a high-skinny, a boyfriend… Nothing but the essentials. In Fall/Winter 2017, they broke the mould and released an experimental fit that would soon become their most sought after women’s fit: the Naked & Famous Classic. Naked & Famous Classic Fit: Most women obsessed with high rise jeans make the same claim: they just aren’t high enough. Well, Naked & Famous heard you loud and clear. The Naked & Famous Classic has a true 13″ rise, hitting right around your belly button. Channelling the denim golden age of the mid-seventies, they pair this super high rise with a true straight leg. With a 32″ inseam, most women will want to wear these jeans cuffed, and in doing so, you’ll be able to show off the selvedge detailing; yet another ode to the denim golden age. However, […]

C.O.F. Studio is the brainchild of denim guru Per Fredriksson who has combined all the best aspects of the industry into one exceptional denim brand. Per is a denim industry veteran. He has several decades in the industry under his belt and has worked with different brands across the globe. He’s even credited with having introduced selvedge denim to Japan (but that’s a story for another time). Circle of Friends – A Story of Collaboration With his years of experience, Per wanted to create a brand of his own influence. He also wanted to bring together all of the best designers and manufacturers he’d ever worked with. With integrity as their cornerstone, C.O.F. Studio wears every stage of production on their sleeve – or rather, on their pocket bags. Printed on the pocket bags is a list of each Friend, alongside their contribution and region. Candiani Denim, Kuroki, YKK, Vivolo and Cobrax represent a small selection of Per’s Circle of Friends who have each contributed materials, time and labour to the project. To boot, C.O.F.’s jeans are finished with Candiani’s sought after Rivetto D’Oro (“golden rivet”) – a mark of craftsmanship awarded by the Italian mill to a select few […]

After ten years of partnership, Dutil has finally collaborated with Naked & Famous on a special piece of (nope, not denim, but) eyewear! The designs are inspired by Japanese selvedge denim and are available in 3 different frame shapes. For those who don’t know, Dutil Denim’s Eric Dickstein got his start in the eyewear industry 20+ years ago, and his passion for eyewear hasn’t faded since. The N&F x Dutil Eyewear frames are handcrafted by artisans in Sabae, Japan. The frame has been constructed from a custom, three-colour laminated acetate. The three colours are, of course, inspired by traditional selvedge motifs: blue, red and white. Shapes are concise, with a subtle vintage feel. Authentic metal rivets also pay tribute to vintage denim. If you’d like to learn more about the N&F x Dutil Eyewear pieces, check out the Dutil Eyewear website.

When Shinichi Haraki started Iron Heart in 2003, he had motorcyclists in mind. That is to say, he knew that he wanted to design pieces that would guarantee longevity and accommodate a rugged lifestyle. Enter: the Iron Heart 666-21 (or, ‘the devil’s fit’). This 21oz slim-straight jean is a staple from the brand, and for good reason. Made in Japan’s denim district of Kojima, Okayama, this jean combines Western inspired designs with Japanese craftsmanship. Keep reading for more detailed thoughts alongside some fit pics. Fit: The Iron Heart 666-21 is a true slim-straight jean. The silhouette in the thigh is snug, and from the knee down, the jean does not taper. This makes the jean a great option for those looking for something to wear over a pair of boots, for example (see pictures below). The 666 has a medium rise too which means the jean sits comfortably just above the hips. Finally, the 666 (like all of Iron Heart’s denim) is made with a 36″ inseam to accommodate those who need the extra length. For those who don’t, see our page about hemming! *For sizing, we recommend going up one tag-size from your regular size as this jean tends […]

The man behind one our newest brands, Start With the Basis, sits down to talk about his new collection of denim and outerwear. Meet Sei Campbell. Dutil: Tell us a little about yourself and your brand, Start with the Basis. Sei: I’m a Japan-born, Lower Mainland raised, 26 year-old. My journey in design began after post-secondary. I graduated with a diploma in marketing and business and realized that I didn’t love the idea of working solely in the business sector of the fashion industry (though now that I’ve launched the business, I’m happy to have gotten some relatable schooling under my belt) and wanted to find some way to stay creative and make things. I began interning for a local bag company where I picked up most of my drafting and sewing and eventually became their production assistant. Though I enjoy bag design and production, I’ve always loved clothing the most so I left the company a little over a year ago and began interning for a local knitwear company. There I learned to work more with softgoods and together we opened a retail/workspace in Gastown. In the back of that shop, I put together my first collection and launched Start […]

The man behind one our newest brands sits down to talk about his new collection of denim and outerwear. Meet Jude Neale. *** After 26 years designing for private denim labels, Jude Neale has created his own collection grounded in rejecting trends and taking the road less traveled. With both a background in textiles and design he has crafted a denim line who’s finely crafted fits can only be matched by the beauty of its fabric. Dutil has just launched his collection in stores and online, and we sat down with him to pick his brain on his new collection, and how he designs his jeans. *** Dutil: I read that you had 26 years of craftsmanship and experience. Can you tell me a little about that and your journey? Jude Neale: I started out in the Textile world very young. Graduating with a degree in Physics and not being able to pursue a career in nuclear physics I jumped at the first opportunity to work as a technical intern in the Textile research & development division of the Firestone Tire Co. From there I went on to manage a large composite Textile mill in Asia. Mastering Spinning, weaving, dyeing and […]