A Turkish-Dutch Collaboration
The Solidarity Selvedge project is an initiative by House of Denim Foundation, Denim City, Jean School and Denim Deal to help to rebuilt the Turkish textile community after the earthquake. The idea behind this initiative is a Turkish-Dutch collaboration to set up an exchange program that connects the disaster-stricken Turkish textile community with Amsterdam’s denim network.
James Veenhoff, House of Denim board member about this special project:
“During a dinner with the Turkish Denim Deal delegation members in Amsterdam just days after the earthquake, we talked about how we – as a denim community – could join hands to help rebuild the victims’ features.”
The Idea Behind The Solidarity Selvedge Project
Following the disastrous earthquake in Anatolia, the first concern was to help people with food, shelter and medicine. Soon, the joined parties of this initiative wondered how they could show their solidarity on a longer term. How could House of Denim Foundation, Denim City, Jean School and Denim Deal partners help provide perspective, maybe even hope; for denim and fashion students and young industry professionals from the disaster-stricken area?
Solidarity Selvedge was established by the not-for-profit partners to help collect donations for Turkey and Syria earthquake victims. These regions have been the heart of textile production and denim fabric manufacture for decades.
Solidarity Selvedge, Denim With A Cause
Together with partners from Amsterdam and Turkey, they came up with the Solidarity Selvedge; a project to raise funds for an annual exchange program that brings together textile students from the earthquake area with students from Jean School and the House of Denim Incubator program. House of Denim will host the group of Turkish students at Denim City Amsterdam and provide a tailor made program.
Limited Edition Jeans, Designed In Amsterdam, Made In Turkey
In close collaboration with their partners, they produced a limited series of selvedge jeans, which will be sold to raise money for funding the exchange. Jean School students designed the fit and House of Denim incubator talents created a unique ‘Richter Scale Tremor’ design, which is disguised as a stitching in the back pocket.
“This subtle, yet iconic design refers both to the earthquake’s tremor and to a heartbeat, symbolizing the impact we hope to make with this new connection. After the immediate emergency, we should focus on rebuilding the youth perspective: shaping a future, keeping hope, and developing a career in the denim industry.”
Together with locale textile and fashion academies, the Kingpins and House of Denim community, and the Denim Deal’s NL-Turkish industry partnership, they will set up an education and exchange program to connect young makers from Turkey and their contemporaries in Amsterdam.
Mariette Hoitink, Director, House of Denim Foundation & the House of Denim Talent Incubator Program
“It’s great to see Dutch and Turkish industry players come together in this project. A wonderful, 100% organic denim fabric was provided by Bossa Denim, boasting a selvedge of dark ‘pepper’ red and cream, a reference to famous produce from the region. Bossa, Ereks-BlueMatters, APXpress, Denim City, Jean School and House of Denim are supporting this project on a pro-bono basis.”
1.000 Pairs Of Limited Edition Jeans
The limited edition of 1.000 pieces were sold for 250 euros during Kingpins Show Amsterdam, at Denim Days and at the Denim City store + online via the House of Denim IG account. This is the first step towards a long term commitment to nurture and educate the next generation from both countries Toward A Brighter Blue.
Want To Join The Solidarity Selvedge?
Buy a limited edition pair of jeans. Add the upcycled logo t-shirt hand printed in Amsterdam. All proceeds from the Solidarity Selvedge project will be used towards the exchange and education program for young professionals. For more information and if you want to collaborate and join their cause please contact Mariette Hoitink
Photography credits + logo & social design: Mika Jansen.
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