A Few Highlights Of 2024
As we approach the end of 2024, it’s the perfect moment to reflect on this exciting year with a short recap of some key highlights as a freelance denim specialist for the industry. Once again, I had the privilege of working with some of the finest denim brands, events, mills, and retailers worldwide. This year was filled with travels to numerous denim (trade) shows, reconnecting with old friends and forging new connections.
Through the online Long John denim magazine, it’s been another fantastic year of sharing groundbreaking denim innovations, new collections, inspiring people, exceptional initiatives, must-have books and magazines, and so much more from the denim world.
While there’s far too much to fully capture in a brief recap, here are some standout highlights to celebrate the end of 2024 and kick off 2025 with nothing but great denim vibes!
Freelance (Denim) Projects
In addition to managing this Long John denim magazine, I also work as a freelance denim specialist, collaborating with brands, retailers, mills, and denim events. This year, I was involved in numerous projects, primarily focused on creating unique content (both online and offline), branding initiatives, product development, networking, and providing overall marketing support.
- ORTA
Created together with Turkish denim mill ORTA the biggest sustainable jeans ever. This display jeans is made with a waist size 133 and a total length of around 4,5 meters. It was showcased at the Bluezone denim fabric show in Munich, Germany. Read more about this special jeans here.
- Pike Brothers
To showcase the latest collections from workwear and denim brand Pike Brothers, I organized a series of special shoots. These shoots were organized to highlight the brand and put the spotlight on their new seasonal products, giving them an extra boost.
- Rambam Denim Store
For many years, I’ve been collaborating with Rambam, a denim store based in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. I create inspiring Instagram content to engage and connect with their fanbase, always with a strong focus on denim!
- Denim Days
This year we organized another edition of the Denim Days – The Market Edition in October. With this denim events we focussed on the popular market section of the Denim Days. A two-day event that was held in Amsterdam at the De Hallen. People from all over the world came to join the event to celebrate the magic of denim. In 2025, there is coming a follow-up, so stay tuned!
Watch the October recap video of the last Denim Days – The Market Edition here below;
- Calik Denim
I created many inspirational articles for the Turkish denim mill Calik Denim. These inspirational articles are published on their website to inspire their fanbase and clients. All the articles are made with a denim link, always to share the good denim initiatives, history and stories. You can read these articles on Calik Denim’s site here.
82+K Followers On Instagram
Another milestone this year is that I reached 82+K followers on Instagram. Instagram is still the strongest social channel today to inspire, connect, and share content. Most of the content is about denim, but also related content that shows the denim lifestyle in general. If you don’t follow me on Instagram yet, check it out here.
Special Collaboration Necklace With APXPRESS
I created a special limited-edition necklace together with global branding company APXPRESS. The necklace shows ‘The Lucky Golden Button’ by Long John. ‘The Lucky Golden Button’ is a homage to the miners who started the search for gold during the mid-1800s in California, U.S.A.
More about this special collab can be read here.
Redesign For Long John Website
This year, I gave this online denim magazine a fresh redesign. Since its launch in 2011, the website has undergone a few transformations, and it was time once again to update the look and feel for an even better user experience.
Nearly 200 Inspiring Articles
Through Long John, I continued to share the latest news about denim and expertly crafted products. Here, you can explore the newest (denim) trends, connect with (denim) enthusiasts, discover standout pieces and stores, and stay informed about what’s happening across the industry.
In 2024, I published nearly 200 articles on Long John, spotlighting the coolest brands, retailers, mills, events, and (denim) pioneers. It’s been an exciting journey, and I’m looking forward to more stories to share!
Many Interview Publications
I was pleased to be interviewed by so many magazines this year that highlighted my work with my online denim magazine Long John, and my freelance denim projects. There’re too many to point out, but some of them are Die Kerle 2.0 book, WeAr Magazine, and Blue magazine by denim mill Bossa.
What’s Next In 2025?
A new year brings fresh opportunities and exciting challenges! In 2025, I look forward to continuing to create unique content for Long John, sharing the latest updates and insights from the denim industry.
I’m also eager to unveil the new projects I’m currently working on as a freelance denim specialist, it’s going to be an exciting journey!
Thank you for all your support throughout 2024. Here’s to an incredible 2025 ahead, I can’t wait to share it with you!
If you or your company need an extra (denim) boost or if you can use the support of a freelance denim specialist to achieve your new goals, just let me know: wouter@long-john.nl
All the best for everyone in 2025. Stay blue and stay denim!
