Our complete edit of the world’s greatest denim manufacturers spans all the things from heritage manufacturers to luxurious names and unbiased innovators. It doesn’t matter what fashion you’re searching for – skinny to selvedge, boot-cut to traditional blue – this information was created that can assist you discover the right pair of denims (or certainly, a denim jacket or Western shirt).
Collated with enter from the Wallpaper* fashion editors, the assorted labels – which reside world wide, from the denim heartlands of the USA, Japan and Italy, to Sweden, France and the UK – have been chosen for his or her design credentials and craft know-how.
And, alongside the perennial classics – amongst them Levi’s, Carhartt and Wrangler – we’ve additionally chosen those that are pushing denim ahead, whether or not by means of intelligent collaborations, improvements in sustainability, or a return to native manufacturing. There’s one thing for each style.
The world’s greatest denim manufacturers, in accordance with Wallpaper*
Levi’s
Levi’s 2024 collaboration with Kiko Kostadinov, considered one of plenty of partnerships respiratory new life into the 1853-founded denim label
(Picture credit score: Courtesy of Levi’s)
No model is extra synonymous with denim than Levi’s. Taking its identify from its founder, Levi Strauss, a Bavarian immigrant to San Francisco who in 1853 hit on the thought of mixing copper rivet reinforcements with sturdy denim to create a super uniform for his fellow gold miners to put on, within the practically two centuries because it has grow to be one of the ubiquitous clothes manufacturers on the earth.
From these first ‘blue denims,’ dozens of Levi’s unique suits have been born: the 517 bootcut fashion related to motorcyclists and cowboys, the 505, worn by punk musicians like The Ramones, the saggy match ‘Silver Tab’ that was a favorite of 90s skate boarders, and the twisted-seam Engineered denims which rose to prominence within the Nineteen Nineties (and have since had one thing of a resurgence). Lately, the model has continued to innovate with a slew of (oftentimes surprising) collaborations, together with a latest capsule assortment with London model Kiko Kostadinov, a collaboration with Undercover that noticed the Japanese model upcycle traditional Levi’s kinds and an ongoing partnership with Junya Watanabe, who options afterward our record.
Obtainable from levi.com.
501 90’s Mid-Rise Straight-Leg Denims
Wrangler
Wrangler’s S/S 2025 assortment, which pulls on the American model’s cattle-wrangling roots
(Picture credit score: Courtesy of Wrangler)
Wrangler launched in 1947 to create the right denim denims, jackets and shirts for cowboys. Nowadays you are simply as prone to see Wranglers worn on the town streets as you’re to see them on the cattle vary, however the model’s signature cowboy components stay the identical: flat rivets that don’t scratch a saddle, watch pockets, felled seams for a extra comfy horse experience and 7 belt loops slightly than the standard 5.
Lately, the model has expanded its conventional providing to incorporate additions like denim waistcoats and blazers for girls, in addition to Bermuda shorts and utility jackets for males, lower with the identical long-wearing denim and eye for utility because the American model’s unique designs. The latest ‘Blue Bell’ assortment additionally options reimagined items from the model’s seven-decade archive, together with the Blue Bell Two Pocket Shirt, a traditional Western fashion that options two chest flap pockets, button cuffs and the enduring W-shaped top-stitching in yellow thread.
Obtainable from wrangler.com.
Wrangler Blue Bell 2 Pocket Denim Shirt
Carhartt WIP
Carhartt WIP’s SS 2025 assortment
(Picture credit score: Pictures by Daniel Vaysberg, courtesy of Carhartt)
Carhartt WIP’s double-knee denims are a agency favorite of the Wallpaper* fashion crew, who’ve the studded-front fashion in each out there color. Based in 1994 by Edwin Faeh, the ‘Work In Progress’ division – which often collaborates with manufacturers like A.P.C., Junya Watanabe, Nike and extra – is impressed by Carhartt’s unique workwear designs, which date again to 1889 when the model was based in Detroit, Michigan.
Kinds just like the double-knee denims are constructed from heavyweight ‘Smith’ denim and have utility detailing like double-layering for reinforcement, bartack stitching, rivet particulars, instrument pockets, and a hammer loop. But it surely’s not simply the trousers which are noteworthy. The model additionally creates denim shirts, dungarees, shorts and jackets, together with a denim model of their common – and much-copied – ‘Detroit’ canvas workwear jacket.
Obtainable from carhartt-wip.com
Carhartt WIP Double Knee Denims
Body
Body’s S/S 2025 marketing campaign, which stars actress Sienna Miller
(Picture credit score: Courtesy of Body)
In a approach, the world has Wallpaper* to thank for the creation of Body denim. Its founders, Jens Grede and Erik Torstensson first met whereas working at our workplaces earlier than they went on to function editors-in-chiefs of Man About City and ultimately, in 2012, to launch Body.
With headquarters in L.A. and London’s Shoreditch, Body creates denim that mixes the laid-back cool of its West Coast dwelling with the eccentric trend sensibility of the British capital. The model might be greatest identified for its skinny kinds that hark again to the early aughts (cuts just like the leg-lengthening ‘Alix’ or the high-waisted ‘Le Smooth’) however there are many different kinds to select from together with thigh-hugging flares and the voluminous balloon-shaped ‘Bubble’, all in Body’s sensible denim, which spans inflexible, super-stretch and delicate.
Obtainable from frame-store.com
Body Bubble Excessive-Rise Barrel-Leg Denims
A.P.C.
A.P.C. Natacha Ramsay-Levi, launched in 2024
(Picture credit score: Pictures by Nigel Shafran, courtesy of A.P.C.)
Based in Paris in 1987, A.P.C. is understood for distilling the essence of French fashion – easy, elegant and a contact eccentric – into garments that everybody can put on. The identical goes for his or her denim providing (their most well-known export) which is made out of inflexible Japanese selvedge denim that’s designed to mould to your physique with put on. The providing is a good edit that features a few pairs of unisex denims, some kinds particular to women and men, overshirts, skirts and denim workwear jackets which are a favorite of Wallpaper*, with roomy facet pockets and a boxy match.
The model has collaborated with everybody from JW Anderson and the late Jane Birkin to ex-Chloé and Louis Vuitton designer Natacha Ramsay-Levi, who partnered with the model final yr to create ‘actually good denim and super-great T-shirts’. Chatting with Wallpaper* in regards to the assortment, Ramsay-Levi identified A.P.C.’s distinctive method to the material. ‘There is a tradition of denim at A.P.C. that does not exist elsewhere,’ she mentioned. ‘It is not a trend merchandise, it goes again to the identification of what denim is.’
Obtainable from apcstore.com
A.P.C. Classic Minimize Martin Denims
Zits Studios
Zits Studios upcoming A/W 2025 menswear assortment
(Picture credit score: Courtesy of Zits Studios)
Jonny Johansson based Zits Studios with 100 pairs of denims lower from uncooked denim along with his now signature crimson stitching. Now, although, the Swedish label is understood for its extra offbeat kinds – notably, saggy suits with trompe l’oeil results, revolutionary washes, excessive distressing, and different daring finishes. Wallpaper* favourites embrace the model’s ‘1991’ denims, a free unisex match with an adjustable waistband that may be worn under the hips or on the waist, and the ‘2022’ fashion which comes with a excessive waist, huge leg and additional lengthy size.
Obtainable from acnestudios.com.
Zits Studios ‘1991’ Unfastened-Match Denims
Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren’s S/S 2025 runway present, held in The Hamptons in September 2024
(Picture credit score: Courtesy of Ralph Lauren)
All through his lengthy profession, Ralph Lauren has virtually at all times been photographed sporting a pair of denims. That’s most likely as a result of the designer, typically credited because the godfather of contemporary American trend, owes quite a bit to the material (it’s shaped the spine of numerous collections) and it owes quite a bit to him (he helped elevate it from workwear materials to luxurious standing). The model’s vary is, unsurprisingly, huge with its RRL line specifically that includes designs made out of the fabric and spanning all the things from denim waistcoats to striped coveralls impressed by the uniforms of Nineteenth-century engineers. Notably noteworthy is the model’s fastened denim with quilt-like patchwork and embroidery, remodeling the rugged, lived-in particulars of classic workwear with components of the handmade.
Obtainable from ralphlauren.co.uk
RRL Slim-Match Washed Selvedge Denims
Re/Accomplished
Re/Accomplished ‘Membership Mel’ assortment marketing campaign, photographed by Richard Kern
(Picture credit score: Courtesy of Re/Accomplished)
Launched in Downtown Los Angeles in 2014, Re/Accomplished founders Sean Barron and Jamie Mazur wished to recreate classic Levi’s denim silhouettes for many who had trawled consignment shops for the pre-2000s suits denim obsessives hunt for. For the reason that model’s kinds are ‘pre-loved,’ they’ve the worn-in really feel and pure fade patterns of classic denims with none of the trouble of getting to interrupt a brand new pair in. Most lately, the model collaborated with stylist and Interview journal editor-in-chief Mel Ottenberg (a real denim obsessive) on a set of 80s-inspired denim items together with a unisex pair of denims impressed by Levi’s 505s, a trucker jacket, and a number of upcycled Levi’s 505s.
Obtainable from shopredone.com
Re/Accomplished Blue ‘The Mel’ Denims
The Row
The Row’s S/S 2025 assortment
(Picture credit score: Courtesy of The Row)
The Row has grow to be considered one of trend’s favorite manufacturers for designers Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s capability to good the foundations of a wardrobe, like a traditional overcoat, white T-shirt and, in fact, a pair of denims. Made in Italy and Japan, their denim is impeccably tailor-made and buttery delicate. Favorite kinds embrace the ‘Ross’ straight-leg for males and the ‘Eglitta’ for girls, an ultra-slouchy fashion that, particularly when paired with one of many model’s signature drop shoulder sweaters, captures the elegant insouciance The Row has perfected. The identical goes for his or her loose-fitting denim jackets, which solely look higher with put on.
Obtainable from therow.com
The Row ‘Eglitta’ Boyfriend Denims
Nonetheless Right here New York
(Picture credit score: Courtesy of Nonetheless Right here New York)
Nonetheless Right here New York’s denims are designed to be destroyed or, within the model’s phrases, ‘ripped, pale, patched, and handed down, capturing moments and holding sentimental worth as they put on’. Their kinds vary from ‘The Childhood’ a high-rise, straight-leg fashion designed to echo the anti-fit silhouette of your childhood denims (the ‘Chaps’ version of this fashion, with a chocolate suede internal panel, on every leg is especially noteworthy) and the ‘Subway’, a carpenter-style pant with front-panelling that’s out there within the model’s camo-print denim. For those who’re searching for a pair of denims as comfy as your sweatpants, their latest fashion, ‘Cool’, is constructed from their speciality, ultra-soft ‘cloud’ denim and includes a drawstring toggle as an alternative of a waistband.
Obtainable from stillhere.nyc.
Nonetheless Right here New York ‘Cool’ in Basic Blue
Arket
Arket’s ‘Double Denim’ marketing campaign
(Picture credit score: Courtesy of Arket)
If you’re searching for well-made denim at a extra accessible value level, Nordic excessive road model Arket ought to at all times be a go-to. Seeing denims as a garment ripe for ‘steady reinvention and recreation’, count on timeless 5-pocket kinds with modern tweaks: living proof, the model’s ‘Cloud’ lower, a roomy, wide-leg fashion with a just-low-slung waist that recollects the golden age of Nineteen Nineties denim (for a snugger match, the ‘Snow’ has a mid-rise waist with an elongating straight-leg and slim match). The lads’s line is equally assorted, starting from the straight-leg ‘Park’ to the saggy ‘Mist’. Past denims, the model’s denim shirts, skirts and jackets are surprisingly robust – all are constructed from 100 per cent natural cotton and pair completely collectively for a double, and even triple, denim second (which we at all times approve of).
Obtainable from arket.com.
Cloud Unfastened Broad Denims
Junya Watanabe
Junya Watanabe MAN’s S/S 2025 assortment, which featured 50 sorts of denim
(Picture credit score: Courtesy of Junya Watanabe)
All through his profession, cult Japanese designer Junya Watanabe has utilized his signature aesthetic, with its voluminous shapes, cutting-edge pattern-cutting and complicated patching, to denim. The result’s a really revolutionary method to the material. His S/S 2025 Junya Watanabe MAN assortment was even created totally out of denim with all the things from trousers to tuxedo jackets constructed out of fifty sorts of denim sourced from Okayama, the centre of Japan’s denim manufacturing, after which painstakingly deconstructed and patched by Watanabe’s in-house crew. The designer additionally often collaborates with Levi’s, creating collectable reinterpretations of the American model’s denim.
Obtainable from store.doverstreetmarket.com
Junya Watanabe Man Levi’s Wraparound Denims
Jacob Cohën
Jacob Cohën within the March 2023 subject of Wallpaper*
(Picture credit score: Pictures by Grace Difford, trend by Nicola Neri)
There’s a good purpose Jacob Cohën’s denim is taken into account among the most interesting on the earth. The Italian model combines the skilled tailoring strategies of its dwelling nation with the best high quality Japanese denim that’s processed with none chemical intervention and undergoes 45 processing phases. The result’s luxuriously delicate and sturdy denim that when paired with the model’s signature thrives – jewel buttons, crystal gildings and patches – make for a singular pair of denims.
The model has been present process an thrilling reboot since Jennifer Tommasi Bardelle, daughter-in-law of Jacob Cohën’s founder Tato Bardelle, took over the model in 2012. With a watch in the direction of increasing the womenswear providing and making the model much more sustainable, Bardelle has launched a number of improvements together with a pair of utterly compostable denims.
Obtainable from jacobcohen.com
Jacob Cohën ‘Vivian’ Energy Stretch Denims
Loro Piana
A denim-silk piece from Loro Piana’s S/S 2024 assortment
(Picture credit score: Courtesy of Loro Piana)
Italian model Loro Piana transforms denim into excessive luxurious. The truth is, the model’s revolutionary Denim Silk materials may make it probably the most luxurious denim producer on the earth. Constituted of 59 per cent cotton and 41 per cent silk (an astonishing quantity contemplating the fabric’s delicacy), Denim Silk was developed by means of an arduous prototyping course of between artisans in Italy and Japan. The tactic they lastly hit on is labour intensive – it takes a whole day to provide simply 50 metres of the material, the equal of round 25 pairs of denims – however creates an ethereal, delicate denim cloth and explains the value tag (which is over £1,000 for a pair of denims).
Equally as spectacular is their ‘CashDenim,’ a fragile mix of cashmere and cotton yarns, woven by Japanese craftspeople utilizing classic looms. The result’s an incomparably comfy denim that’s virtually as versatile and delicate because the model’s signature cashmere.
Obtainable from loropiana.com.
Loro Piana ‘Etienne’ Denim-Silk Trousers
Jeanerica
Jeanerica’s A/W 2024 marketing campaign
(Picture credit score: Courtesy of Jeanerica)
Jeanerica was based in 2018 by buddies Lena Patriksson Keller and Jonas Clason who labored Zits Studios’ denim and PR departments respectively earlier than deciding to pool their information into their very own denim line. The result’s a thought-about assortment of American-style denims designed from a European perspective.
Favorite kinds embrace ‘Idaho’, a traditional 90s low waist fashion with a straight match from thigh to backside leg to create a slight bootcut silhouette, and ‘Milan’ a 70s aptitude fashion with a high-rise waist and jetted pockets to intensify the huge leg. Additionally noteworthy is the model’s ‘Atelier’ sequence, which sees them collaborate with different creatives to reimagine denim by means of a brand new lens. The latest sequence is a collaboration with the Copenhagen-based label La Bagatelle, which options denim Peter-Pan collar jackets and waistcoats.
Obtainable from jeanerica.com
Jeanerica ‘Belem’ Mid-Rise Broad-Leg Denims
Superstitch
Area of interest Paris denim label Superstitch, which lately celebrated 5 years in enterprise
(Picture credit score: Courtesy of Superstitch)
The Parisian model Superstich is born out of founder Arthur Leclerq’s obsessive want to create the right pair of blue denims. That obsession has led him to salvage weaving machines from defunct factories, to rigorously examine the historical past of American denim manufacturing from the Twenties to the Seventies, and to work with grasp weavers in Japan who can function electrical powered shuttle looms that require across the clock care.
The thought is to create denims that respect the material’s workwear heritage. These are denims which have the identical sturdiness towards solar, grime and put on as their classic forebears. They’ve the identical malleability too, ultimately reshaping across the wearer’s physique to grow to be the right pair of denims for them alone.
Obtainable from superstitchmfg.com
Superstitch Denim Denims
ELV Denim
ELV Denim’s Resort 2025 assortment
(Picture credit score: Courtesy of ELV Denim)
East London’s ELV Denim crafts womens and males’s kinds from 100 per cent upcycled supplies. Based by trend stylist Anna Foster in 2018, the model is greatest identified for its signature distinction color denim which mixes two totally different shades of preloved denims mid-seam to create a patchwork fashion. For those who’re unsure which pair to go for, we suggest the model’s best-selling ‘Freya’ lower, a low waisted fashion with an excellent slouchy match throughout the hips and legs.
Obtainable from elvdenim.com
Freya Broad-Leg Denims
Kapital
A glance from Kapital’s S/S 2025 menswear assortment
(Picture credit score: Courtesy of Kapital)
For denim aficionados, few names encourage extra reverence than Kapital. The Japanese model was based in 1985 by Toshikiyo Hirata, who fell in love with American workwear whereas touring across the nation as a karate teacher. Hirata’s son, Kiro, joined the enterprise within the early 2000s, increasing its output from meticulous recreations of American classics to unique kinds with hippy motifs (smiley faces, peace indicators, heavy patchwork), Japanese influences (shibori dyeing, embroidered cherry blossoms) and even their very own dye strategies like ‘Century Denim’ which sees the material dyed with unripe persimmon juice to offer it a novel orange-brown hue.
Nonetheless, the change of favor has by no means had an impression on the model’s high quality. Working out of Kojima, Japan’s ‘denim capital,’ Kapital makes use of the laborious ‘boro’ hand sew methodology for all its patchwork and topics all of its dyes to a rigorous testing course of that usually requires round 100 exams to land on the proper method.
Obtainable from kapital.jp.
Kapital ‘Man’ Blue Denims
DL 1961
DL 1961’s denims, that are made of their sustainably-minded New York manufacturing unit
(Picture credit score: Courtesy of DL 1961)
DL 1961 is a family-owned model that desires to ignite a sustainable revolution in denim manufacturing. Each side of the model’s denim, from fibre to completed garment, is manufactured of their New York manufacturing unit, which runs on photo voltaic panels and warmth regeneration. Whereas a typical pair of denims takes 1500 gallons of water to provide, DL 1961’s take lower than 10.
The model’s newest innovation is DL Aura, which blends cotton with Tencel Lyocell, a fibre derived from the wooden pulp of beech timber, to create an ultra-soft denim that has a lived-in really feel from day one.
Obtainable from dl1961.com.
DL 1961 ‘Razi’ Broad Barrel Excessive Rise Denims
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Supply: Wallpaper
