Denimheads Convenes Istanbul’s Denim Community to Cultivate Innovation
Istanbul’s Denimheads community is all about supporting collaboration. Taking its name from the endearing term for denim enthusiasts, Denimheads brings together locals—including designers and manufacturers—for educational experiences and conversation.
Denimheads is the brainchild of Aylin Çetinkaya, the owner of concept store Jean Shop Galata, which shuttered in 2019. This new community-focused initiative fills the gap that the boutique left behind.
Here, Aylin discusses the concept behind this community, its key activations and how denimheads in the city can get involved.
Carved in Blue: How did the idea for Denimheads come about? Why is Istanbul such a denim hub?
Aylin: The idea behind Denimheads was born from my experiences with Jean Stop Galata. Jean Stop wasn’t just a store; it was a living space for denim culture, where denim enthusiasts could come together, experience collections and discuss the craftsmanship behind denim. In 2016, Adriano Goldschmied showcased Jean Stop Galata as one of the 10 most inspiring independent jean stores in the world.
Through this journey, I realized that denim is not just a fabric—it is a living organism with stories, a cultural past and constant innovation. That’s why Denimheads was created as a platform to strengthen the denim community, foster sustainability and promote collaborations.
Istanbul’s role in the denim world fits naturally into this vision. The city is not only a bridge between East and West but also a global powerhouse in denim production. With its cutting-edge textile factories, industry-leading washing facilities and groundbreaking denim designers, Istanbul is one of the world’s key denim innovation centers. But beyond production, the real strength of Istanbul lies in how global brands, local designers and manufacturers come together to create innovative collaborations.
Carved in Blue: What is the core philosophy of Denimheads?
Aylin: Denimheads is built on transparency, sustainability, innovation and collaboration. We aim to bring together every link in the denim value chain, from artisans and designers to manufacturers and consumers. We don’t just design collections—we tell stories, educate and unite denim enthusiasts. Our greatest strength is sharing our connections and resources to grow the denim community.
Denimheads is more than just a brand; it’s a community. Our members, who are industry professionals, meet regularly to share insights, discuss the latest developments in their fields, and collectively expand their knowledge. This continuous exchange of expertise helps us all evolve and contribute to the industry in a meaningful way.
Carved in Blue: How does Denimheads approach collaborations?
Aylin: Unlike traditional brands that compete, Denimheads grows through collaboration. We don’t just focus on our own projects; we also create opportunities for brands, designers and denim professionals to collaborate and innovate.
Being part of Denimheads means you’re not just contributing to denim culture—you’re becoming a part of a global denim ecosystem, where partnerships and knowledge-sharing lead to real change.
Carved in Blue: What are some standout projects or activations Denimheads has led?
Aylin: At Denimheads, we have created projects that impact both manufacturers and end consumers. Here are some of our highlights.
We presented the Denimheads business model at international trade fairs like IFCO, showcasing our approach to sustainable production and storytelling.
We exhibited our innovative denim designs for two seasons at Texhibition’s Innovation Hub, in collaboration with textile innovators who are redefining denim’s future.
We hosted workshops at the Egypt Denim Fair, where we connected with international industry players and shared insights on sustainability, new denim business models and craftsmanship.
We introduced the Denim Table as an interactive educational experience, allowing participants to engage with raw materials, fibers and the evolution of denim firsthand.
Another highlight was our archive sale and art event at Goba Art Gallery, where we not only connected denim enthusiasts with archive pieces but also promoted sustainability. The month-long event combined multidisciplinary experiences, such as installations made from denim fabrics, a performance artist interpreting denim through movement, discussions on denim’s presence in cinema and television, and talks on the history of costume and denim.
Each of these projects has been an opportunity to strengthen collaborations and expand denim’s reach to a wider audience.
Carved in Blue: What are Denimheads’ future goals? How can locals join and get involved with Denimheads?
Aylin: Denimheads is focused on expanding its reach, fostering more collaborations in the denim industry and promoting sustainability. To achieve this, we plan to participate in more international fairs and events to showcase our model, expand our denim education programs globally, and create more collaboration opportunities for denim enthusiasts, designers and manufacturers.
For those who want to be part of Denimheads, there are multiple ways to get involved. They can join our monthly meetups, where denim professionals discuss the latest industry trends, innovations and sustainability efforts. They could also collaborate with us on creative projects—we bring together brands, manufacturers and designers to develop groundbreaking denim concepts. There are also opportunities to participate in our industry-focused workshops and training programs, which provide hands-on experiences and strategic insights into the denim world.
Our goal is to not only share knowledge but also open doors to new opportunities and partnerships. Interested individuals can connect with us via social media or direct outreach to explore potential collaborations. Denimheads isn’t just a community—it’s a platform for co-creation, business growth and innovation in denim.