Ruedi Karrer Shows Different Denim Wearers At Bluezone
Ruedi Karrer, better known as Swiss Jeans Freak, set up a new denim expo at the denim fabric show Bluezone in Munich, Germany last week. For the denim expo, Ruedi showcased four different types of denim wearers that came alive with attributes that link to each wearer.
Collecting Jeans For More Than 50 Years
Born in a small Alpine village 65 years ago, Ruedi Karrer started to collect jeans when a donation parcel with clothes arrived at his parents’ home. It was the year 1973 that would change the life of Ruedi forever. And especially two pairs of Levi’s jeans that were part of the donation. Since then you can say that his denim obsession has grown year by year. Now, fast forward to 2024 and his private collection of jeans and denim jackets has reached around 14,000 pieces. Next to these, he collected also books, advertisements, banners, and other denim-related stuff as well. Most of the items are stored in banana boxes that reach the ceiling of his warehouse.
A curated selection of his blue gold treasures can be seen at his little ‘Jeansmuseum of heaviest fadings’. The doors of his museum opened in 2001 in his hometown Zurich. This privately owned jeans museum can be visited by appointment only. You can witness the dedication of Ruedi’s raw denim evolution of all kinds of brands that wear out hardcore. During all the years, Ruedi bought many pairs and jackets himself, but he’s getting items donated as well from people all around the world who want him to preserve their beloved worn items forever.
The ‘Serial Faders’ Denim Expo At Bluezone
Now and then Ruedi is showing parts of his denim collection at denim events and trade shows. Last week he set up a denim expo at Bluezone. A denim fabric show where around 100 denim companies showed their latest innovations and developments. Part of the show is several inspirational places for the visitors and this time Ruedi showed a denim expo themed ‘Serial Faders’.
At the ‘Serial Faders’ denim expo, he displayed several faded jeans worn by the same person reflecting the personal lives of the owners. There were four different types of denim wearers, so four different categories. The Worker, The Cowboy, The Punk-Rocker, and The Carpenter. Each category featured a short description of the jeans and props were used linked to the type of wearers. This brought the expo and the type of denim persons more ‘alive’ as it gave you a full experience. The different pairs of jeans showed the beauty of aging. And were going from a true vintage look to heavily destroyed.
Expanding The Jeansmuseum
Now, at the age of 65 years, Ruedi Karrer is going to retire very soon so he can focus more on his dream goal, expanding his Jeansmuseum. So, stay tuned for more exciting news from the Jeansmuseum!
In the meantime, follow Ruedi Karrer’s denim journey on his Instagram account here!
