Video: Stridewise’s Nick English and Endrime’s Mohsin Sajid Talk TENCEL™

Video: Stridewise’s Nick English and Endrime’s Mohsin Sajid Talk TENCEL™

For denim, TENCEL™ Lyocell is an incredibly versatile fiber that can go from lightweight shirting to heavier materials.

Journalist Nick English—the founder of the boot-centric site Stridewise—recently discovered TENCEL™’s range firsthand. While catching up with Mohsin Sajid of denim consultancy Endrime, Nick found himself learning a lot about TENCEL™, including details about its range of uses and environmental footprint. Watch the video below to see their conversation, and read our interview with Nick for more on his love of denim and TENCEL™ takeaways.

Carved in Blue: Could you give a brief overview of Stridewise? What led you to start this platform?

Nick: I grew up in subtropical Australia, so footwear that had to withstand snow and salt wasn’t on my radar until I moved to New York City. I quickly found that I needed boots—real, grown up, resoleable, cool looking boots—and fast. Upon learning that good boots cost a good $300, I went on to spend weeks researching the right pair for me, and when I realized the internet needed a good home for boot advice, I started Stridewise.

Carved in Blue: You’re into boots, but would you also describe yourself as a denim head? What is your level of interest in denim?

Nick: I’m definitely a denim head! When it was time to expand Stridewise beyond boots, selvedge denim was the obvious next step. All the guys on the boot forums would also drop comments about their jeans, so I launched myself into the hobby with a goal of reviewing one new brand per month. My fades, of course, are paltry as a result, but I completely fell in love with the world of denim and the endless possibilities that denim brands explore. I’d say my favorite brands are Tanuki, Oni and Pure Blue Japan. 

Carved in Blue: How much does sustainability factor into your fashion purchases? To what extent do you weigh the impact of your clothing choices?

Nick: I exist in this funny space where my “job” is to review and enjoy clothing and footwear that’s made to last. In this way, I like to think of myself as an advocate for sustainability: You’ll get many more years out of boots that can be resoled, denim that’s woven thick, cotton when it’s canvas, and so on. As a dude who markets these products, I have about a hundred times more clothes and shoes than I’ll ever need. But I try to sell them when I’m done and I take comfort in helping men choose more sustainable items for their wardrobe.

Carved in Blue: How familiar were you with TENCEL™ before visiting with Endrime?

Nick: Not very. I had noticed it being included in some of my Taylor Stitch purchases, which is a brand concerned with the longevity of their apparel. I remember looking it up for a chambray shirt made with a blend of TENCEL™ and wool, and I remembered that it was described as a natural, plant-based textile. 

Carved in Blue: What was the most surprising thing you learned about TENCEL™ during your conversation?

Nick: That it can be identical to cotton! I thought of it as a substitute, or an analogue, but Mohsin was very enlightening. He admitted that there once was a time when he didn’t think TENCEL™ would be ideal for certain kinds of denim, and that when TENCEL™ denim first came about, he loved it but felt it best suited to more “luxury,” glossy jeans. But the technology has advanced, and now I know that literally any cotton garment I own can be reproduced with TENCEL™, which is very exciting.

Carved in Blue: Now that you’ve seen what’s possible, do you plan to add some TENCEL™ denim to your own wardrobe? And if so, what would be on your shopping list?

Nick: Definitely! Mohsin was nice enough to make me a pair of custom jeans with a mixture of TENCEL™ and recycled cotton from Candiani, a fabric that won an award for being the world’s most sustainable denim. What I’d really like, though, is some TENCEL™ garments that would fit into “heritage” fashion: denim with slub and nep, a coarse canvas for a jacket, maybe some sashiko and chambray, fabrics like that. I’m hoping to explore this world a lot more!