Starting as a promising sapling in 2017, Withered Fig have spent nearly a decade sinking their roots deep into the American scene from their home base in Northern Virginia. They now boast one of America’s premier line-ups of heritage goods from some of our favourite Japanese, American, and European makers.

With their growing cadre of stylish and rugged leather jackets, and the groundswell of enthusiastic adoption from nearly every corner of the rugged scene, Master Supply have very quickly become a household name among rugged enthusiasts. The perfect jacket brand for outlaws, rebels, and range-riders.

Ground zero for the explosion of the selvedge and heritage scene in Southeast Asia, Thailand’s Pronto & Co brought Japan’s best brands to a region that would go on to produce some of the world’s best and most passionate denim faders. Legends of selvedge retail, it’s an honour to have them with us.

Started by a passionate denim blogger, Taiwan’s premier selvedge denim shop is built from the ground up to please extremely discerning denimheads—because the founder is one of us. Well-stocked in hard-to-find favourites like Oni’s Secret Denim and Mister Freedom, Blue Beach is a jewel of the East.

American-made workwear crafted so immaculately that it’s good enough even for James Bond. Adored by stylish rebels the world over, Rogue Territory fuse together Japanese selvedge and American manufacturing, blending fashion and function at such a high level that they’re really in a category all their own.

For more than a century, Wesco has proved itself to be one of the world’s most dependable and uncompromising builders. Whether you polish your boots a few times a month or push them to their breaking point, Wescos will never let you down. They’re made for the long and winding road.

A brand that needs no introduction, Nudie provide both a wide bridge that newcomers can walk into the scene and a dependable line-up of classics that, for scene veterans, are as good as they’ve ever been. With their focus on more sustainable consumer behaviours, they’re perfectly aligned with this community’s values.

With their trademark blend of heritage style and cutting-edge fabrics, Hiroshi Kato manage to combine the fading properties of selvedge with just a touch of stretch in both the warp and the weft. In the process, they’ve given us what just might be the world’s best high-performance, form-fitting denim.

With more than a half century of boot-building experience under their belts, Nicks Handmade Boots have helped outfit some of the world’s hardest-working men and women. Their boots are primed for sweat and toil, but they radiate a stylish charm that sturdy work boots rarely possess. The perfect complement for heavy selvedge.

A new denim force is taking shape in the American South. Slowly but surely, WRR is gathering strength, assembling something entirely new out of some of America’s hidden gems. Definitely one to watch in the years ahead. Sure to become a force to be reckoned with.

Sweden-based SOSO aims to be the world’s largest producer of affordable, custom-made, high-quality selvedge denim. They’ve made leaps and strides as a brand over the last decade, and each step along the way, they’ve shown that they are plugged into this fade-loving community.

Naked & Famous perpetually challenge the limits of what is possible with raw denim. From glow-in-the-dark and scratch-n-sniff denim to cashmere blends and ultra-heavy raws, they continually ask and answer those what if questions that make their brand such a distinctive presence in the market.

Arguably the un-fussiest selvedge you can find, TCB jeans don’t demand a lot. They cost far less than they should, and they don’t need a lot of special care. Just use and abuse them and throw them in the wash whenever required. They thrive under pressure.

Founded in 2005, Brave Star were the first premium Made in the US selvedge brand. A true classic in the American scene, they boast a nearly impossibly deep stable of serious lifestyle faders who come back to Brave Star over and over again thanks to the brand’s ability to effortlessly balance value and quality, durability and stylishness.

A passionate supporter of this community, The Flat Head have been stacking up the wins with a string of absolutely stellar releases this year. Since revamping a few years ago, every step The Flat Head have taken has been in the right direction. What started as slow and steady progress, with one foot placed carefully in front of the other, has become a flat-out sprint.

II competition partner Piger Works have supported this community at every turn. They’re the first brand we’ve collaborated with to produce a pair of competition-primed jeans, and they surpassed our expectations, working with us to produce a breathtaking made-to-fade pair. A perfect choice for those looking for fast fading pieces.

Competition partner Samurai continue to demonstrate that they are as passionate about fades as we are. They were the first brand to start a fading competition, way back in 2006, so they’ve got unmatched fade bona fides. We’re honoured to have them with us.

On the outskirts of Manila, you’ll find one of the world’s best selections of heritage goods and elevated workwear. Every shelf in the Signet Store shows that the place is being run and stocked by men with a discerning eye for style and a powerful nose for the world’s best brands.

Spain’s premier destination for high-quality and vintage-inspired menswear, Redcast Heritage have quickly made a name for themselves as purveyors of some of Japan’s most exclusive and hard-to-find denim labels. Their roster of brands grows more impressive with every passing year.

A true-blue titan in the European scene, Berlin’s Burg & Schild stock some of the world’s hardest-to-get brands from Europe, Japan, and America. For heritage menswear enthusiasts, walking through their doors is like walking into a candy shop. Just try to leave empty handed!

Rivet & Hide have been a pillar of the European scene since 2012. Two year after founding their business online, they planted their feet in central London with their first brick and mortar store, which has since moved to Saville Row. An unmissable beacon for the well-dressed and well-heeled denimhead.

New York’s ahead-of-the-curve stockists are heading to new heights by expanding to the mile-high city. The new Denver location will see Blue in Green returning to their roots, with an intense focus on Japanese selvedge and heritage style. A can’t-miss if you’re anywhere near the Rocky Mountains.

With a focus on Japanese selvedge and well-made boots and knitwear from the Pacific Northwest, Brooklyn Clothing has helped place Calgary on the map as a destination for rugged menswear enthusiasts. A truly remarkable selection of hard-to-find labels and impeccably made menswear.

A decade ago, while sharing drinks in a local pub, two English men, Brant and Ed, stumbled upon an idea. They wanted to make great clothes in the UK. They started with a great pair of jeans, and, since then, they’ve expanded to include a wide range of rugged and stylish gear—all extremely proudly made in England.

Obbigood Label focus on crafting hand-made leather pieces that are both unique and useful, but they do so much more than this. Their durable bags and other accessories can be found in dozens of quality-good stockists around the world, and they are appreciated by those who know quality work when they see it.

Inspired by iconic workwear, militaria, and outdoor gear, Cloth & Cut are obsessed with the kind of minute details that most brands miss, with the almost unnoticeable touches that manufacturers used to create durable and useful garments. A Cloth & Cut piece is an education in the history of beautiful, well-made things.

With beautiful collaborations under their belt with Japanese legends like Samurai and Japan Blue Jeans, Benzak Denim Developers are making sure that the mark they leave on this scene is an indelible one. A great choice for want to combine the best of Japan and Europe into one perfect package.

The backbone of the American scene on both coasts and south of the border, Self Edge offers unbeatable selection, exclusive collaborations, and knowledgeable staff. They’ve more than earned their stellar reputation. Look no further if you want the best that the denim world has to offer.

Home to crowd-favourites like Iron Heart, Mister Freedom, Indigofera, and Freenote, Santa Barbara’s Tendrel emphasises gear that’s over-engineered for rough usage and a long life. Well-stocked in hard-to-find pieces—an ideal place to start the hunt for your next fade project.

A Bangkok selvedge-scene staple since 2010, Simple & Raw have built themselves a stellar reputation on the back of their no-nonsense style and classic-minded approach to rugged menswear. Selvedge fans around the world are starting to catch on, meaning this is a brand on the move.

Sukajin have been making waves in this competition for a few years now. As their tagline suggests, they put a combination of fades and value front of mind, and fans of the brand (especially top faders in Southeast Asia) have been flocking to the brand in droves.

Another brand that we’ve seen frequently in the competition, usually worn exceptionally hard by competitors in our SEA conference. Mihane have distinguished themselves in a crowded field in the Indonesian scene with their seriously slubby and heavyweight denims.

Clay Wendel, a Californian tattoo artist, saw a natural crossover between tattoo needles and chainstitch needles. He’s been producing stunning patches and back pieces for the past few years, and, in this short period, he’s managed to gain a reputation as one of America’s premier chainstitch artist. Breathtaking work.

Malaysian-born brand Marimandi may present themselves as kind of a fight club of denim brands (“You don’t talk about Marimandi”), but the secret is out. They might embrace their underdog role,  but their profile is growing as more and more people talk about the kinds of fades people are producing on their Marimandis.

With all of their denim products proudly made in San Francisco, Tellason continues to produce American workwear the way they’ve always done it: in the old-fashioned way—slowly, passionately, and close to home. A great pick for serious contenders who need long-lasting styles and gear.

Vietnam’s Kind Supply are helping show that Vietnamese manufacturing has considerable muscle to flex. We first noticed them when we saw one of their fully alpaca-lined N-1 deck jackets. This level of historical fidelity and passion is impossible to find at a similar price point.

Denimheads in Norway’s capital have long had to content themselves with online or cross-border shopping. That ended when Scandinavia’s newest raw denim shop opened their doors. With brands like Big John, Naked & Famous, and Edwin, they’re catering to Oslo’s growing number of selvedge enthusiasts.

This one-man brand from Illinois is doing all the little things right. He’s using some of the best available denims from Japan, and he’s assembling each pair in his own backyard. The results are really remarkable—especially for a new brand. Pairs that get noticed right out of the gate.

Driven by passion and purpose, the good people at Loomstore are making a name for themselves in the midst of a selvedge boom in Malaysia. Founded by enthusiasts and built to exacting specifications, each pair is tailor-made for the hard-wearing faders who call Malaysia home.

More than any other ready-to-wear German brand, Blaumann Jeanshosen express that distinctive attitude of the selvedge scene, speaking a design language that resonates deeply with this community’s blue-blooded, high-octane enthusiasts. An unmissable label that never misses.

Makers of some of the most serious heavyweight pairs in Southeast Asia, Sage have been a fan favourite since the very beginning of this competition. Whether you hail from the East or the West, Sage pairs are primed for some serious and seriously striking fades. Get ’em on your legs.

What’s in a name? In this case, it’s a lot. oneculture keeps things lower case, emphasising humility—despite the fact that the brand’s founder has been contributing to the scene by crafting some of America’s finest jeans in his Bay Area studio for more than a decade.

When Robin Meijerink of Robin Denim announced that he would be starting his own made-in-Japan denim brand, we expected something special. He surpassed our expectations. His pairs, all of them made in Japan, rocketed to the heart of the conversation about essential selvedge. 

Each Hen’s Teeth piece is designed to be the foundation for a very small personal wardrobe—a kit of timeless and well-made classics that can fit inside a single bag. With a bag full of Hen’s Teeth, you’re ready to hit the road, and you’re ready for whatever the road might bring your way.

An exciting brand to emerge out of the hotbed of denim love and maker culture that has sprung up in urban centres across Malaysia, Old Bones stormed out of the gate with pairs that pay winking tribute to the true-blue American classics. There’s a ton of meat on these bones!

Long a popular denim brand in Indonesia, Adelaide Denim & Co has been innovating and guiding Jakarta’s hotbed of selvedge enthusiasts towards serious and heavy pairs. With a long track record of success in the competition, they have become an easy and dependable choice.

Last year, Germany’s Manufaktur Rocca made a HUGE splash with their Redline Rally prize—a custom and hand-tooled belt that has to be seen to be believed. This is belt-making practiced as an art and at an exceptionally high level—the perfect and stylish complement to heavy selvedge.

The makers of our favourite butter-soft, made-in-Japan, loopwheel tees are leaping from strength to strength. Now offering a beautiful range of hand-dyed tees, they’ve made themselves more and more essential with each new release. Simple and classic. By every measure, the perfect tee.

Specializing in studded accessories and new-vintage sneakers, Hollywood Trading Company mixes equal parts  rock and roll and contemporary street aesthetics. With Zip Stevenson (of Stevenson Overalls fame) at the helm, the brand’s making big waves in the American heritage scene.

Picky leather lovers know that Germany’s Timeless Leather Craftsmanship is where you go to find Europe’s best belts and leather goods. If you’re looking for the perfect and stylish compliment for your well-made selvedge, you can’t go wrong if you make the Timeless choice.

Every year, Evan of Tannery South makes (and donates) dozens of his legendary fade logs to our competitors. It’s a brilliant way to track your progress through the competition. You can do something similar with any of his exceptionally well-made leather goods—especially his belts.

Known until quite recently as Nordic EDC, Palsjö is the new first name for well-made leather accessories in Europe. Swedish-based craftsman Mano works with a wide range of beautiful veg-tanned leathers and sturdy hardware, with each piece meant to be carried with you for a lifetime.

If you care about your knitwear half as much as you care about your jeans (and you should), legendary German knitwear brand Heimat are probably already on your radar. For those who regularly brave the elements, there’s simply nothing better (or warmer) than a Heimat. Come rain or shine, they’ve got you covered.