Denim innovator and 1921 Design Director Allan Kemp envisioned a collection with the look and feel of jeans made at the turn of the century. With access to archives that date back to the year 1921 when Western Glove Works, manufacturer of 1921 jeans and one of the oldest family-owned denim manufacturers in the North America, was founded, Kemp was able to incorporate the stitching styles of  these antique sewing machines into his design. The new collection also features actual hand-stitching which takes approximately 30 minutes per pair and is done with needles from the saddle industry.

“These antique sewing machines were not historically used in the crafting of jeans,” says Allan Kemp, Design Director for 1921. “Instead they provided reinforcement for the fabrics on which they were used. We’re modernizing these old sewing techniques by incorporating these specialized machines into our design, adding strength to our jeans while giving each vintage flavor.”

Pioneers in the trade, the innovators at 1921 have perfected techniques for constructing denim and infuse the collection with everything that a jean should be.  The foundation for each pair of 1921s is the best quality Italian or Japanese denim. The brand uses both Candiani, milled in Italy and Kaihara, an authentic ring spun denim produced on original spinning machinery in Japan. Fully handcrafted, each jean is hand-cut, treated and washed to give the denim an authentic vintage look. All abrasion detail is done using special hand tools – making each 1921 jean is distinctly different from the next. No detail is spared, down to the hammered buttons and rivets in a patina finish and the busted side seams with a selvage edge look. The brand is carried worldwide by better boutiques. In the US, Kitson, Atrium, Fred Segal and H. Lorenzo are among the top stores that have embraced the brand. Retail price points for the collection range from $150-$600.