Top 10 Carved in Blue Stories in 2019
We’re wrapping up quite a year for Carved in Blue. 2019 marked the debut of our Modern Definition of Denim video series and the launch of the SDG Decoded content series, as well as dozens of interviews with inspiring denimheads.
In digging through our website data, we found the types of stories that resonated most were as varied as the members of our industry. Presented here are the top stories from this year, and we’re looking forward to bringing you even more in 2020!
10. Naveena NDL Nearly Nixes Indigo for HighTex Award
Naveena Denim’s passion shone at Bluezone, where the Pakistani mill took home a Keyhouse HighTex Award during Munich Fabric Start. Bestowed upon companies demonstrating real fabric innovation, Naveena wowed the judges with its sustainable and soft denim using minimal indigo and maximum water savings.
We talked with Rashid Iqbal, executive director at Naveena, right after the show to get his thoughts on Keyhouse and Bluezone.
9. Why Girls are Going Boyish When it Comes to Jeans
From the time he was cutting too-big vintage jeans down to stylish size to wear himself, Boyish Jeans creative director Jordan Nodarse knew he was a blueblood. Since then, he’s been bringing that passion for denim to the world, leaving his touch on brands and businesses all around the world.
Now his attention is focused on Boyish and making men’s style jeans made to fit women. We caught up with Jordan to get a glimpse into his indigo world.
8. Unsung Hero: ORTA’s Orhan Herdem on Being Part of the Denim Family
Spending 21 years with a company is bound to profoundly impact anyone. For spinning manager Orhan Herdem, working at ORTA for that long means two decades of family togetherness.
We talked with Orhan to learn more about life on the front lines of denim making—including the fabric’s overarching accessibility.
7. Panos Sofianos Says the Future of Denim is Now
Although denim is steeped in history, it’s the fabric’s future that offers the most promise and the most responsibility. For Bluezone business manager Panos Sofianos, it’s no longer enough to design with one purpose in mind. The fate of our beleaguered planet depends upon the denim industry embracing its “multidisciplinary” job.
Carved in Blue talked with Panos about the past, present and future of denim—and to Panos, these three stages might as well be one.
6. The Modern Definition of Denim with Andrew Olah
If the denim industry is a family dinner party of wine drinking and storytelling, then Andrew Olah sees himself as the grandfather at the table. While it would be easy to paint his industry outlook as negative—or even cantankerous—the fact is that the Kingpins founder is incredibly proud of the industry for tackling the hard truths and implementing lots of change.
We spoke with Andrew about the most pressing issues facing the denim industry, why competition is more vicious than ever, and why a group of denimheads is far greater than the sum of its parts.
5. Modern Definition of Denim Episode IV: Future Thinking
We’re living in another world when it comes to communicating with consumers. Not only do today’s consumers expect their denim to be soft and comfortable, they want to know about the materials that made it and where they came from. They want this information easily accessible—preferably on their phone—and they want it to be the de facto standard across the entire industry.
Learn how the most successful brands are adapting to this new reality, and how they’re planning a future of deeper interactions and greater transparency.
4. Launching the Latest Sustainable Denim Wardrobes’ Collaboration – Broadband
Consumers are demanding more transparency behind the clothing they buy, and the supply chain is banding together to heed their call. Sustainable Denim Wardrobe’s newest BROADBAND capsule collection brings together an international line-up in order to showcase the best in design ideas and the latest production techniques.
Fabrics selected for BROADBAND’s see TENCEL™ Lyocell and TENCEL™ x REFIBRA™ Lyocell as standalones, as well as blends with cotton, linen, recycled cotton and spandex.
3. Guess Eco is Everywhere
Guess is getting (even more) green. After being offered in only Europe, the rest of the world can now wear the brand’s Eco line of sustainably made men’s and women’s wear.
Eco Luxe denim—which comes in a variety of styles and washes—uses TENCELTM x REFIBRATM Lyocell fibers, made with upcycled industry cotton scraps and wood from responsibly managed forests. All of this denim is produced using water-saving and other earth-friendly techniques.
2. Scott Morrison’s Journey Back to Cool
To Scott Morrison, jeans are the most democratic clothing in the world, and it pains the founder and president of 3×1 to operate in what feels like a “race to the bottom” as shoppers demand cheaper and faster products. To rekindle his inner denimhead, Morrison traveled to where his passion first began: Italy.
In this video, he talks with Alberto Candiani (who served as an executive producer) about how they’re advancing the greater good of denim, and where the industry could be in the next five years.
1. Michael Spitzbarth’s Green Bleed
For Michael Spitzbarth, CEO and founder of BLEED, sustainability isn’t just a path—it’s a responsibility and a way of life; the company’s moniker draws its name in empathy of the Earth’s exploitation by the human race.
A German apparel manufacturer that specializes in green fashion, street- and sportswear, BLEED uses only eco-friendly materials and sustainable fabrics, and operates solely via fair production terms. Carved in Blue chatted with Michael to learn where he finds his inspiration and how the company intends to leave the planet in better shape.