Calik Denim’s 30 Years of Success and Beyond
Whether it’s superior quality fabric, sustainability or successful innovations, Calik Denim has been delivering it to the denim industry for more than 30 years.
At the very core of the Turkish company’s success is its dedication to the environment. From day one, Calik has made great efforts to use manufacturing practices that reduce negative impact on the environment—from how it collects raw materials to production to distribution to recycling. And its implementation of innovative planet-friendly production processes has allowed it to expand into new sustainable product lines geared to its current clients, as well as attract potential customers.
Calik celebrated its 30-year stronghold in the denim industry last year with a socially conscious art exhibit, Denim Loves Art, showcasing 30 of the brightest denim artwork from students from art and design schools around the world, including Parsons School of Design, Amsterdam Fashion Institute and Central St. Martins, which were on display in Istanbul, Amsterdam and L.A.
Carved in Blue caught up with Calik Denim’s general manager Hamit Yenici, who talks about the continued growth of the Turkish denim market, the company’s role as a leader in sustainability, the benefits of TENCEL™ and why he looks to Stockholm for denim inspiration.
Carved in Blue: You just celebrated 30 years of Calik Denim—what’s been the secret to success?
Hamit: At 30 years, we feel proud to have built one of the world’s leading denim producing brands—one that is both innovative and dynamic but also deep-rooted and socially and environmentally responsible. It’s been a real journey from our beginnings in Turkey supplying the domestic market in the 1980s, when it was virtually impossible to find any blue jeans in the country, to today becoming a global leader of premium denim exporting to the world’s most prestigious denim brands in more than 40 countries. I would say the passion we have for denim and not giving up on trying new things brought us to the success. And always evolving is another key point.
Carved in Blue: What’s been the most important evolution in denim you’ve seen over the 30 years?
Hamit: I believe the most important evolution in the last 30 years is denim has become one of the most important elements of the fashion industry that people prefer it everywhere and every time. They can now associate the clothing with being lighter, softer, more elastic, and more sustainable.
Carved in Blue: How important has sustainability become for Calik?
Hamit: From the very first day of setting up Calik Denim, corporate responsibility and ethical values have been an integral part of who we are and what we do. Our aim is to be a company that adds value to economic, environmental and social realms with our sustainable approach. And thus, we carry out an array of activities and investments in the field of sustainable development in both the national and international arenas.
In terms of specific actions, we as Calik Denim work hard to reduce our environmental impact at every stage of the production process, from the collection of raw materials to the production, distribution and recycling, to which our international certificates in this field attest to. We are constantly monitoring and evaluating all aspects of our business to foresee and prevent any negative effects on our staff, clients or the society at large—including assessing and managing any possible environmental risks through our advanced R&D, system improvements and product development programs.
It’s also our mission to continually innovate in this area to create new and desirable sustainable products for our clients and the customer. With our new more environmentally friendly production processes we use fewer resources, and we have been able to create new product lines that have created new demand, as well as garner a lot of interest from sustainable and mainstream fashion brands.
For instance, our Oxygene concept launched a new era in sustainability in the sector as we use less energy and water, fewer chemicals and it takes less time to produce—thus significantly reducing its environmental impact. We are proud of the impact we have had within our company and also the wider industry, as many textile and clothing producers are now following our lead and investing in sustainable methods. In addition, we will be publishing our first stand-alone CSR report in the first quarter of 2018.
Carved in Blue: What’s been the most exciting development in fabric innovation for denim?
Hamit: Different kinds of finishing techniques in denim, such as mercerization, resin, coating applications, as well as usage of different fibers like TENCEL™ Modal, rather than cotton. The new stretch fabrics has been another exciting development for the denim world.
Carved in Blue: How has TENCEL™ Lyocell played into Calik’s offering?
Hamit: I think Lenzing has been a game changer and provoked a new way of denim development. It is an unpaired value of soft hand and comfort composition is being talked about, which are most important demands by end users. The softness and sheen of TENCEL™ Lyocell, along with its ecological side gave us the opportunity to play in an extended scope.
Carved in Blue: What’s next for Calik Denim?
Hamit: The next step for Calik Denim will always be to evolve the denim fabric in order to keep denim’s coolest items in the closets.
Carved in Blue: A bit about you now—when did you first know you were a blueblood?
Hamit: I have been thinking that denim is the most comfortable clothing in the world since I started secondary school. We had to wear uniforms, which made me feel uncomfortable. I was missing my jeans for the freedom. After years, once I started to work on developing denim fabric I realized that I really loved it and cannot give up on it.
Carved in Blue: What’s your favorite place to go for denim inspiration and why?
Hamit: Stockholm. People there have extremely good taste in denim and know how to dress. Also, Japan has a great indigo culture. And L.A. for the women’s jeans market.
Carved in Blue: What’s the one denim item in your closet you can’t live without?
Hamit: I love wearing raw jeans. I prefer unwashed or rinse washed. I don’t wash my jeans very often because I love the feeling when they take my shape.
Carved in Blue: Are there influencers in the denim industry that inspire you?
Hamit: I believe my most important influencers are all people who wear jeans. It is very important for me to know how they feel, what their expectations are and what else they may need from their jeans.
Carved in Blue: What do you think the denim industry is missing today?
Hamit: I don’t think the denim industry is missing anything. I believe denim is much more forward than any other textile area.
Carved in Blue: What does “carved in blue” mean to you?
Hamit: It is a great platform for the denim industry that one can find full of blue stories.