Documentary Details Denim Historian’s Hunt for 1880s Jeans
The earliest examples of denim pants are sought-after by historians and hobbyists, leading them on expeditions into abandoned mines to unearth jeans worn by workers in the late 1800s.
Viktor Fredbäck is one of these denim history aficionados, and he has amassed a collection of hundreds of jeans that span from the 1870s to the 1970s. But one decade eluded him: the 1880s. The documentary “Denim Hunter” follows Viktor’s journey from his home in Sweden to the United States to track down jeans that will complete his century-long denim timeline.
Following the initial premiere during Amsterdam Denim Days and screenings in Sweden and New York, “Denim Hunter” is premiering in the United Kingdom on Jan. 19. The London premiere of the film, organized by Mohsin Sajid and Sadia Rafique of denim consultancy Endrime, will be held at the Mills Fabrica during its Denim Futures Exhibition.
“I was gutted to miss the event in Amsterdam during Denim Days,” explained Mohsin, Endrime’s owner and creative director. “I was going to reach out to Viktor Fredbäck to interview about the film, but the very same day Viktor Fredbäck reached out to me and asked me to arrange and organize the U.K. premiere for him and help show the film to 50-60 U.K. denim enthusiasts.”
The premiere is sponsored by Advance Denim, Prosperity Textiles, Stella Blu, Pioneer Denim, Circulose, Marmara Hemp, Hand Made Stone, TENCEL™ and Carved in Blue. With the support, Endrime was able to fly Viktor and the film’s director Emilio Di Stefano to the U.K. for the event. Viktor is bringing some rare pieces with him to showcase to attendees.
Following the screening, Mohsin will moderate a Q&A with Viktor and Emilio, drawing on his own experience as a collector and denim historian. This conversation will be recorded and available on our BlueLenz YouTube channel after the event for those who cannot make it in person.
Later this month, “Denim Hunter” will be screened at Bluezone in Munich. In late January, it will also debut worldwide on streaming platforms including Apple TV.
“Many others collect Levi’s, Lee or very obscure workwear brands from the 1870s-1890s, and many historians from brands only really look at their own histories,” Mohsin said. “So getting an independent historian to make a film about the subject is very exciting.”
Viktor appeared on Carved in Blue’s 2020 webinar about denim historians and collectors, alongside some denim enthusiasts that are also in the documentary, including Mike Harris, Brit Eaton and Cory Piehowicz. You can also see more about his collection in his book, “True Fit.”
The hunt for rare denim will continue. “Many people keep their archives secret or behind closed doors,” said Mohsin. “It’s great that Viktor Fredbäck has shared his experience and journey, but the story of denim and the many missing workwear pieces—there’s still a lot not accounted for. We only know from patent drawings certain styles are still out there.”
Space is limited, but if you are interested in attending, please email mohsin@endrime.com.