Kingpins New York: A Day of Denim, Heritage & Inspiration

"The most inspiring part of Kingpins wasn't a single fabric or garment, it was meeting the people dedicated to preserving the craft behind them."

There is something reassuring about being in a room filled with people who still care deeply about how garments are made.

This week we spent the day at Kingpins New York, one of the denim industry's most important gatherings. For us, it was less about trends and more about reconnecting with the people, mills, and materials that continue to shape the craft.

One of the highlights was spending time with the team at Mount Vernon Mills, an American textile institution with roots dating back to 1845. In an industry that moves quickly, there is something special about meeting a company whose history has stretched across generations of makers. We had the opportunity to see new developments, discuss fabric construction, and learn more about the traditions that have helped define American textiles for nearly two centuries.

We were also honored to receive a special piece of denim created to commemorate 250 years of American heritage. Holding a fabric like that reminds you that cloth is more than a material - it carries stories, places, and generations of work behind it.

As always, some of our favorite moments happened with a camera in hand.

We found ourselves repeatedly stopping to photograph fabrics that caught our attention - beautifully textured denims, unusual weaves, subtle fades, and vintage references that immediately sparked ideas. Many of the garments we make begin this way. Not from a sketch, but from a detail buried in an old fabric, a forgotten workwear piece, or the character that only comes from time and use.

Throughout the day, we met people from every corner of the industry - mill representatives, makers, designers, and individuals helping preserve American manufacturing. Among them was the author behind the Crafted with Pride: Made in USA Directory, 3rd Edition, a publication dedicated to documenting and celebrating domestic production. Conversations like these are a reminder that behind every garment is a larger network of people committed to keeping craftsmanship alive.

We left Kingpins with a camera full of photographs, a notebook full of ideas, and a renewed appreciation for the people who continue to invest in quality, tradition, and thoughtful manufacturing.

Some of the materials we discovered may eventually find their way into future garments. Others may simply remain a source of inspiration.

What stays with us most, however, are the conversations and the people behind the fabrics. Days like this are a reminder that craftsmanship is sustained not only by what is made, but by the knowledge, relationships, and traditions that continue to shape the industry.

We're grateful to everyone we met along the way and look forward to carrying that inspiration into the work ahead.