Carl Jan Cruz, Leon Denim, and BAGAS&Aacute;O find ways to redefine the casual staple in a tropical setting.

When thinking about where to purchase blue jeans, American and Japanese labels are perhaps the first that comes into mind. It&rsquo;s no secret that the two countries have established distinct denim identities&mdash;the USA for soft-textured and form-fitting pairs and Japan for pants that look raw and structured, something that needs breaking in.
But the search for jeans need not end there. In the Philippines, labels have been crafting the country&rsquo;s own denim identity. In mindful play with shapes and silhouettes, they&rsquo;ve created pieces that work for the Filipino. They&rsquo;re thoughtfully crafted, seasonless, and lifelong&mdash;qualities that are <a href="https://metro.style/fashion/inspiration/future-of-local-fashion/24714">sought after by the local shopper</a>. &nbsp;
At the forefront of the Philippine denim community are Carl Jan Cruz, Bagasao, and Leon Denim.&nbsp;

Genderless silhouettes, meticulous tailoring, and exposed stitching make up Carl Jan Cruz&rsquo;s line of <a href="https://www.carljancrewz.com/denims">Denim Classics</a>.&nbsp;
 Always <a href="https://fashionista.com/2018/03/carl-jan-cruz-filipino-fashion-designer">drawing inspiration from the country</a>, Carl Jan Cruz pieces resemble items that many Filipinos relate to or grew up with. The Edition I Kumot Top purposefully mimics a kumot&mdash;the floral blanket holds a place in every Filipino household. Upon reflection, the Free Cuff Jeans may even seem like the jeans of your younger years&mdash;ends rolled up because your legs weren&rsquo;t long enough to fill the fabric.

BAGAS&Aacute;O is rooted in sustainability, craftsmanship, and subtlety. These values lead them to create high-quality clothing that a wearer could use and keep on using.&nbsp;
The brand manages to make denim look stylish and refined, unique yet classic. Take for example BAGAS&Aacute;O&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.bagasao.com/product/column-pants-blue-drop-crotch/">Column Pants</a>. For the piece, a timeless silhouette is paired with lively colorways: black denim with neon yellow, light blue denim with a darker blue.&nbsp;

Léon Denim is the Philippines&rsquo; first raw and selvedge denim brand. For those unfamiliar with the term, selvedge denim jeans <a href="https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/fashion/gallery/best-selvedge-jeans">use self-finished fabric edges as a finished seam</a>. They&rsquo;re harder to produce and higher-quality, so they aren't commonly found in the typical denim retailer.
To create their pieces, Leon Denim&rsquo;s Luzon-based workshop uses traditional sewing techniques, some vintage machinery, and raw materials and fabrics from Japan. They take their time in the manufacturing process, and it shows in their products &ndash; characterized by well-thought designs with vintage references, premium fabric, and sturdy hardware.

Image courtesy of CARL JAN CRUZ

Jeans for All Seasons: 3 Filipino Labels Specializing in Denim

L'OFFICIEL PHILIPPINES  March 2024- Park Gyu Young 600PHP 

L'OFFICIEL PHILIPPINES February 2024 Digital -James Reid 

Jeans for All Seasons: 3 Filipino Labels Specializing in Denim

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