Dutch-Turkish Denim Partnership Supports Post-Earthquake Recovery
It has been slightly over a year since earthquakes ravaged Türkiye and Syria, affecting millions of lives.
Although devastating, tragedy has a way of bringing people together. This has proven true for the denim community, as the House of Denim Foundation, the Amsterdam-based organization behind initiatives like the Jean School, the Denim Deal, the Denim Days Festival and Denim City, has initiated a Dutch-Turkish collaboration to provide cultural exchange and support to Türkiye’s fashion industry as the nation continues to rebuild. The “Solidarity Selvedge” partnership includes limited-edition jeans, educational outreach and a documentary slated to debut this August.
Carved in Blue caught up with Mariette Hoitink, co-founder of the House of Denim Foundation, to learn more about the initiative.
Carved in Blue: Why did you decide to link up with the denim community on this project? How did this partnership come about?
Mariette: During a dinner with the Turkish Denim Deal delegation members in Amsterdam just days after the earthquake, we talked about how we as a denim community could join hands to help rebuild the victims’ futures.
Following the disastrous earthquake in Anatolia, our first concern was to help people with food, shelter and medicine. However, as our scope turns to repair and rebuild, we wondered how we could show our solidarity on a longer term. How could House of Denim Foundation, Denim City, Jean School and Denim Deal partners help provide perspective—maybe even hope—for denim and fashion students and young industry professionals from the disaster-stricken area?
“Solidarity Selvedge” was established by the not-for-profit partners to help collect donations for Türkiye and Syria earthquake victims. These regions have been the heart of textile production and denim fabric manufacture for decades.
Together with partners from Amsterdam and Türkiye, we came up with the “Solidarity Selvedge,” a project to raise funds for an annual exchange program that brings together textile students from the earthquake area with students from Jean School and the House of Denim Incubator program. House of Denim will host the group of Turkish students at Denim City Amsterdam and provide a tailor-made program.
Carved in Blue: What are the selvedge styles created for this initiative?
Mariette: Limited-edition jeans, designed in Amsterdam, made in Türkiye.
In close collaboration with our partners, we produced a limited series of selvedge jeans, which will be sold to raise money for funding the exchange. Jean School students designed the fit and House of Denim incubator talents created a unique “Richter Scale Tremor” design, which is disguised as a stitching in the back pocket.
This subtle, yet iconic design refers both to the earthquake’s tremor and to a heartbeat, symbolizing the impact we hope to make with this new connection.
Together with locale textile and fashion academies, the Kingpins and House of Denim community, and the Denim Deal’s Netherlands-Türkiye industry partnership, we will set up an education and exchange program to connect young makers from Türkiye and their contemporaries in Amsterdam.
It’s great to see Dutch and Turkish industry players come together in this project. A wonderful, 100 percent organic denim fabric was provided by Bossa Denim, boasting a selvedge of dark “pepper” red and cream, a reference to famous produce from the region. Bossa, Kipas Textiles, Ereks-BlueMatters, APXpress, Denim City, Jean School and House of Denim are supporting this project on a pro-bono basis.
Carved in Blue: Where can people buy the jeans?
Mariette: The limited edition of 1,000 pieces will be sold for 250 euros during Kingpins Show Amsterdam, at Denim Days Festival and at the Denim City store and online via the House of Denim Instagram account.
This is the first step towards a long-term commitment to nurture and educate the next generation from both countries toward a brighter blue.
Carved in Blue: What was the motivation for filming in the earthquake zone? Why did you want to document the recovery on film?
Mariette: One year later, everyone already forgot about the earthquake.
In June, we had the opportunity to conduct a video project with the Netherlands-based young brand Sanslimite team, who are part of the House of Denim Talent Incubator Program. Their motto is that anything can come true with enough encouragement, hope, effort and dreams.
They made our shooting way into the earthquake region Kahramanmaraş, allowing the local people to be heard. The wait for hopeful people in the region continues, and witnessing their journey touched them deeply.
Carved in Blue: How can readers join the cause?
Mariette: Buy a limited-edition pair of jeans. Add the upcycled logo T-shirt hand printed in Amsterdam.
All proceeds from the Solidarity Selvedge project will be used towards the exchange and education program for young professionals.
For more information, and if you want to collaborate and join our cause, please contact me at mariette@houseofdenim.org.