Fallow Denim : Spring|Summer 2011
“No idea’s original, there’s nothing new under the sun. It ain’t what you do, but how it’s done” Nas 2002.
The Devil is in the details, as the saying goes. And like Nasir Jones, the intrepid troops at new British denim company Fallow were no doubt faced with a conundrum. The humble denim jean has been cannibalised, bastardised, rhinestoned, snow-washed and bootcut to the point of oblivion. There’s even, lest we forget, a proliferation of well-made, thoughtfully designed, desirable denim out there amidst the abominations.
Their solution to stand out from the crowd was stunning in its simplicity; source the very best cotton, rope dye with Indigo, and have it woven on original looms in Japan to make high quality selvedge denim. Have said prized Japanese selvedge denim shipped to the UK, cut and styled to their exacting designs, finish with a flourish, and no little tlc and they’re done. Except actually making denim in the UK, and adhering to your own ethically produced ideology is no mean feat. Still, Fallow’s attention to detail, and labour of love approach is certainly set to repay them handsomely.
The resulting collection for Spring|Summer 2011 includes 4 cuts for men, 1 for women, a blazer, a cape and some selvedge denim masks. The finish and attention to detail would suggest that the Devil has been heavily involved; two colour stitching, coloured powder coated buttons, and hand-branded deerskin patches.
The burgeoning list of key stockists across the UK signing up to carry the brand bears testament to just how good a job they’ve done. The press and bl*gosphere stir they’re creating suggests that Fallow (inevitably) may not have succeeded in reinventing the wheel, but they have managed to create one of the best, most exciting new denim brands in some time; a new favourite and a likely staple for years to come.
