DENIM WASH GUIDE

As a brand, we approach denim artfully and with innovation. With each development trip to Japan, we draw inspiration from new vintage finds, collecting hundreds of pairs in our archive over the years. Our goal is to create washes that are wearable, unique, and worked through our modern lens. Focusing on perfecting fits, we offer three silhouettes - The Cast 2, The Kane 2, and The Daze - all made start to finish in Japan. The Cast 2 is a slim fit denim, with a low rise and tapered leg. The Kane 2 is our take on a straight and cropped fit. And the Daze is our newest silhouette, a classic straight leg. We’ve incorporated modern elements like layered seams, custom rivets, and stretch fabric, while referencing vintage details through a process of distressing and repair. Our denim is available in three fabrications: raw, washed, and distressed.

RAW

Raw denim refers to woven fabric that is untreated and unwashed. Our raw denim is made from Japanese 3x1 woven fabric with 2% stretch. It has a clean, rigid hand that will conform to your body, break in comfortably, and wear over time. With Raw denim you have the ability to create beautifully faded washes that are unique to the wearer. Shop our raw denim below.

THE CAST 2 / RAW GRAPHITE

SLIM FIT

Raw Graphite is constructed from 3X1 woven denim with grey sulphur dyed warp yarns and black weft yarns. We’ve added 2% stretch for comfort, and 3D whiskering for a slightly broken in feel off the rack. Custom details include branded hardware with a layered waistband and back pockets.

SHOP THE CAST 2 / RAW GRAPHITE

THE CAST 2 / RAW INDIGO

SLIM FIT

Our Raw Indigo denim is constructed from 3X1 woven denim in pure indigo. 2% stretch and 3D whiskering add a slightly broken in feel. Custom details include branded hardware with a layered waistband and back pockets.

SHOP THE CAST 2 / RAW INDIGO

THE DAZE / RAW INDIGO

CLASSIC STRAIGHT LEG

Inspired by vintage Americana denim, the Daze marks the return of selvedge denim to our offering. The 15 oz heavyweight Japanese selvedge denim is woven on a vintage shuttle loom, resulting in a low tension weave. The weave is combined with mixed slub yarns for a unique and rigid hand feel.

SHOP THE DAZE / RAW INDIGO

THE CAST 2 / OBSIDIAN

SLIM FIT

Obsidian is constructed from 3X1 woven denim with sulphur dyed warp and weft yarns. Our sulphur dye process is designed to develop wear patterns more quickly than commonly found black denim. We’ve added 2% stretch for comfort, and 3D whiskering for a slightly broken in feel. Custom details include branded hardware with a layered waistband and back pockets.

SHOP THE CAST 2 / OBSIDIAN

THE CAST 2 / CANYON

Each season, we reference our product archive to inspire new developments. Our newest iteration of the Cast 2 Canyon is updated through our Japanese production lens. The denim is made start to finish in Japan and crafted from a raw beige stretch denim.

SHOP THE CAST 2 / CANYON

THE CAST 2 / SPRUCE

Spruce is the latest wash added to our raw denim offering. The denim is dyed olive and intended to break-in over time, creating a patina unique to each wearer. Each pair is constructed from 3x1 woven denim with 2% stretch for added comfort.

SHOP THE CAST 2 / SPRUCE

THE CAST 2 / MICA

First debuted with the Spring / Summer 2015 collection, the Cast 2 Mica utilizes 3x1 woven raw denim in white. The denim is unwashed and features 3D whiskering throughout.

SHOP THE CAST 2 / MICA

 

 

 

 

 

 

WASHED

Our washed denim mirrors pairs of raw denim that have been broken in over time. The Nimbus wash, for example, mimics a replica of our Raw Indigo denim that has been washed after 2 years of wear. Our production techniques are intricate and unique to Japan; we utilize a dry process that uses minimal water. We’ve added 3D whiskering on the thighs, knees, and ankles to give the appearance of worn-in creases you would normally find on a pair of your favorite broken-in jeans. Shop our washed denim below.

THE CAST 2 / SKITTLES

SLIM FIT

In 2015, John went to a party in Berlin that inspired this treatment. While there, he wore white jeans and had several bags of Skittles in his pockets. As he finally left the club, and the sun was coming up, he looked down to find his raw white jeans incredibly, beautifully broken in with faint multicolor hues. This wash was inspired by that night, and the treatment is the result of a dry process, which uses minimal amounts of water. Custom details include raw edge hems, branded hardware, and a layered waistband and back pockets.

SHOP THE CAST 2 / SKITTLES

THE CAST 2 / COAST 2

SLIM FIT

Coast was originally developed by John during an apprenticeship, prior to launching his brand. While learning about production in downtown Los Angeles, and the capabilities of different wash houses, John had the ability to focus on washes he was personally interested in. Coast was the development that eventually led to his own line. This wash has since been taken to Japan for production, where we’ve been able to add greater depth in sanding, and a soft pacific blue hue.

SHOP THE CAST 2 / COAST 2

THE CAST 2 / HYPERION

SLIM FIT

We admire vintage denim because it connects back to an authentic story. This wash was inspired by an heirloom pair of jeans found in the attic of an estate sale on Hyperion Ave in Silverlake, Los Angeles. The wash is characterized by a medium indigo tone, with added depth achieved through light paint splatters and rust marks.

SHOP THE CAST 2 / HYPERION

THE CAST 2 / REYES

SLIM FIT

Reyes was crafted with a similar approach to our Dillon wash, which was a popular development for the FW17 season. With Dillon, we found success in replicating the same wear patterns across both indigo and black jeans. (Inverness is Reyes’ black counterpart) Reyes denim features a medium indigo tone with noticeable high and low whiskering. The name references Point Reyes, California, a place that helped inspire the FW19 collection.

SHOP THE CAST 2 / REYES

THE CAST 2 / NIMBUS

SLIM FIT

When John Elliott was founded, one of the first members of our team made it a project to wear raw denim daily to see how far he could push authentic fading and wear. Nimbus is a replica of that pair, and is our representation of raw denim that’s been worn for two years and washed once. The resulting wash has a deep indigo tone with authentic whiskering at the thighs and knees, and roping at the hem.

SHOP THE CAST 2 / NIMBUS

THE DAZE / COVE

CLASSIC STRAIGHT LEG

Cove draws references from the inspiration behind the FW19 season - the Northern California coastline. The wash mimics the refractions of sunlight hitting the Pacific Ocean through the use of various hues of blue, slight tinting, and whiskering.

SHOP THE DAZE / COVE

THE CAST 2 / INVERNESS

SLIM FIT

Inverness is a black representation of our Reyes wash. We’re inspired by vintage finds, but it is difficult to find black denim with interesting wear patterns, as the denim is typically dyed through the core of the yarn, making it hard to achieve noticeable highs and lows. Unique to John Elliott, our black dye method is custom. The yarn isn’t dyed through the core, leaving it white, which is similar to indigo rope dyes. This approach makes it possible to offer a compelling, and authentic looking wash on black denim. The name references Inverness, California, a community that helped inspire the FW19 collection.

SHOP THE CAST 2 / INVERNESS

THE CAST 2 / CARBON

SLIM FIT

Carbon debuted in 2013 as part of our brand’s initial denim offering. The wash mirrors wear patterns created on a pair of black denim that John wore throughout the entire early development of the line while still in downtown LA. When we moved denim production to Japan in 2016, we knew that we wanted to reproduce the Carbon wash with an update. This current iteration has the same shading and depth as the original but is made in Japan from 3x1 stretch denim.

SHOP THE CAST 2 / CARBON

THE CAST 2 / JET

Jet is a coated wash developed through a labor intensive process. The denim is coated with resin, 3D whiskering is added for depth, it’s washed, and then coated again. The process of overcoating the denim results in a finish that resembles the same waxy sheen of raw denim without the rigid texture. Over time, this pair will develop a patina similar to leather.

SHOP THE CAST 2 / JET

DISTRESSED

Distressed denim takes the wash process further, fraying hems and seams, adding touches of paint, sandblasting, and repairing with a graphical approach. Even minute details like knee rips are designed with intention and distressed by hand. We explore new development techniques each season to continue innovating in this category. Through a mutual respect for design shared with our factories, we’ve been able to push the artistic boundaries of denim. Explore our distressed denim below.

THE CAST 2 / COBA

SLIM FIT

Coba was first introduced during the Spring / Summer 2017 season, titled “Watching Water.” Prior to concepting the collection, John had been traveling on the Yucatan Peninsula, and the name of this wash was pulled out of an experience in the ancient Mayan city of Coba. Light tones of blue, distressing, and paint splatter throughout are meant to be reminiscent of visual characteristics found in a cenote, which is a natural limestone pool prevalent in the region.

SHOP THE CAST 2 / COBA

THE CAST 2 / HIGHLAND

SLIM FIT

Numerous pairs of denim in our archive have previously been in the hands of bikers, artists, carpenters, and craftsmen. Before Japan, we used to sample and produce denim in Los Angeles. At the time, the garage of the production facility we used was shared with a group of guys whose uniform staple was denim and whose passion was building choppers and reconstructing motorcycles. Highland is our attempt at recreating the distinct washes we’d see. From oil marks to rust stains and 3M reflective paint, the denim is a tribute to the chopper subculture in Los Angeles.

SHOP THE CAST 2 / HIGHLAND

THE DAZE / AVALON

Avalon is crafted from mid-weight Japanese denim in washed indigo. This wash is offered in the Daze Straight Fit, which is a new development introduced during Fall / Winter 2019 and inspired by vintage Americana denim.

SHOP THE DAZE / AVALON

THE CAST 2 / SUR

Inspired by the cold water, heavy waves, and rolling forests at Big Sur, we developed a medium indigo wash with contrast fading and subtle repairs throughout. Like many pieces in the Fall / Winter 19 collection, the Cast 2 Sur references John’s upbringing in Northern California.

SHOP THE CAST 2 / SUR

THE KANE 2 / CEMENT

Cement features washed grey denim with a tonal silicone coating applied throughout. This wash draws reference to Northern California and the fog that blankets the coastline. The silicone coating results in a slightly waxed finish.

SHOP THE KANE 2 / CEMENT

 

 

 

in available credit

Back To Returns

GET CONNECTED

Stay up to date on exclusive drops and collections.

Plus, get 10% off your first order.

THANK YOU FOR SUBSCRIBING.