“Wait, Thomas, it’s not Friday...?!”

If you’ve been subscribed here for more than a couple of weeks, you might’ve noticed that my newsletter usually lands on Fridays.

That’s the routine I like—it gives me a chance to start the weekend by wrapping up the week.

This week is different.

I’ll be busy Thursday through Saturday at the Weirloom pop-up at Brund in Copenhagen, so you’re getting this newsletter two days early.

If you’re in Copenhagen, come by and say hi—I’d love to show you the jeans in person.

Planning the pop-up has kept me busy, but it’s not all I’ve done this week:

New Buying Guide: Brave Star Jeans

Last week, I made a promise to myself: to get back into writing buying guides. From now until Christmas, I want to write and publish one new guide a week—and at least I’m off to a good start.

The first new guide is about Brave Star, the LA-based brand that’s been making affordable raw selvedge jeans since 2005. Cut and sewn in their own factory, Brave Star’s line-up runs from deadstock Cone Mills denim to ultra-heavyweights from Japan.

Here’s a quick taste of the guide:

Popular denims

• 21.5 oz. Gauntlet – left-hand twill that fades fast from Japan

• 25 oz. Sumo IV – Japanese heavyweight icon

• 10 oz. Prospector – Deadstock Cone Mills White Oak with buckle-back heritage

• 12 oz. Woodsman – Also a deadstock White Oak denim, made from recycled cotton and wood-pulp fibre

Core fits

• True Straight – versatile straight with an 8.25” hem

• Mojave – Western-inspired, built for boots

• Slim Straight and Slim Taper – modern cuts without losing comfort

If you’re curious about Brave Star and what they offer, this new guide is a great place to start.

Indigo Invitational Registration Closes on Monday

There’s still time to register for Year 5 of the Indigo Invitational. The deadline is Monday, September 15—but you can submit your raw proof until the end of October. So even if you’re waiting on a new pair (say from SOSO) to arrive, you’re not too late.

If you already have a pair of jeans in mind—maybe Weirlooms, maybe something else—get them signed up. And if you don’t have the right pair yet, my buying guides can help you find one.

Full Recap of Bluezone’s September 2025 Edition

In last week’s newsletter, I shared some quick first impressions from Bluezone in Munich. Since then, I’ve finished and published the full report.

It covers the new Hall 2 setup, how Bluezone is now fully integrated with the rest of Munich Fabric Start, and what this shift means for both visitors and exhibitors.

Thanks for reading,
Thomas