I did a video of me washing my raw denim jeans for the first time after 18 months and it was a big hit. Got almost 20,000 views in less than 11 months! Got a lot of feedback and questions about it.  What’s most interesting was another person posted a response email of him washing his raw denim jeans.

Winson washed his Raw Denim jeans for the first time

After the video I made which showed me washing my selvage jeans after over 18 months of not a single wash people always provide helpful feedback such as “that’s disgusting!” and “gross”!

(It’s got over 6000 views in less than 6 months!)

That was the issue I had with the jeans too. It did not have a fresh smell but if you want great fades that’s the only way. The smell took over the closet and even my room once when I leave the closet door open. But a very effective solution I found was to use Fabreeze. Just spray it once every few weeks and you are good. Kills the smell and bacteria.

Another solution is to throw it in the freezer. I have not tried this before, but if you have please let me know how it is.

To many denim aficionados, raw denim is considered an art form. Raw denim is essentially a pair of jeans in its natural state, protected from the intervention of human hands. It is a reflection of the wearer’s body and possesses the unique ability to tell the story the denim has imprinted through the test of time.

Jing Liu has embarked on a journey with his Naked and Famous denim for the last 18 months, which coincidentally is roughly the same time Juzd has been around. One could argue these jeans has chronicled the journey Juzd has taken.

Below you will find the video documentary to how to wash your jeans the proper way while minimizing the loss of indigo. Washing raw denim allows you to remove the dirt, grime, sweat, and stains that have accumulated which will preserve the life of the denim.

Part 1

Part 2

Washing Instructions:

1. Fill tub with lukewarm water.
2. Add a small amount of laundry detergent. I recommend Woolite Dark for minimizing indigo loss.
3. Place jeans into bath tub turned inside out if you prefer. Move around in water to loosen up any dirt and grime.
4. Rinse jeans with clean water until soap is gone.
5. Hang to air dry.

Before The Wash

After The Wash

The reality is many people don’t know how to wash their clothes properly. Most of us spend a considerable amount on clothing, so it’s only natural to maintain our clothes looking new for as long as possible.

Below you will find tips and tricks to keep your Juzd clothes looking new from the day you bought them. These tips can also be applied to all your other clothes as well.

1. When possible wash your clothing in cold water with the washing machine set to gentle. Washing your clothes in cold water minimizes shrinkage and loss of colour. In the event you have stubborn stains that needs to be removed, then you can proceed to lukewarm water.

2. Wash your clothes inside out, it will lengthen the life of the print of the shirt since it reduces the amount of agitation from the spin cycle.

3. Use laundry detergent that is friendly to the colour of the fabric. Since I own mostly dark clothing, I recommend ZERO® by Woolite® For All Darks Detergent which can be found at your local supermarket. It is also the detergent of choice when washing your raw denim to minimize indigo loss. They also make a detergent specifically for light colours as well.

4. It is best to always to air dry your clothing. The drying machine will cause significant shrinkage, fades the print, and unnecessary wrinkles. Ideally you would like to lay the garment flat to prevent stretching around the neck and shoulders from using a hanger. However, if you must use a hanger you should use a smooth wooden hanger or a satin padded hanger. Or if you’re eco-friendly like Jing, you will have your own custom bamboo hangers. Metal and plastic hangers typically leave an indent at the shoulder which will deform your clothing around the neck and causes the sleeves to stretch.

If you follow these simple tips, you will be able to protect your investment and keep your clothes looking new for a long time to come.

Let’s face it, keeping up with the latest fashion trends and newest releases can be a hassle. But if you want to stay one step ahead of the game, take a look at some of these sites. This is my list of the top 10 must read streetwear sites.

1. www.hypebeast.com

A conglomeration for all your everyday needs. While there is a strong focus on clothing and sneakers, you will find a nice mixture of arts, culture, music, and technology for all your other needs as well.

2. www.complex.com

Provides the latest news in clothing, sneakers, girls, movies, music, and practically everything else you can imagine for your daily dose of lifestyle news.

3. http://denimology.co.uk/

A blog dedicated to denim aficionados. Whether you’re into raw denim or a vintage distressed pair of jeans, I’m sure you’ll find something here that perks your curiosity. They tend to have photos of celebrities and they let you know where to cop the particular pair of jeans they’re rocking.

4. http://tokyofashion.com/

A very interesting site that separates itself from the rest of the pack. While it provides the latest feature in Japanese fashion, my favourite aspect of the site is the Street Snaps section. There you will find random people on the streets of Tokyo and a description of all the latest fashion items they are sporting.

5. http://www.superfuture.com/

Provides maps for various cities around the world. Extremely helpful if you’re planning a trip aboard and want to know where are the best places for dining and shopping. There is also a message board filled with a strong community of individuals who are fashion conscious.

6. http://www.osakanines.com

Provides apparel advice from top to bottom and all the accessories you’ll need. A different approach to your traditional blogs who tend to feed you the same needs. Instead you’ll find a wide array of articles written by the blogger which ranges from raw denim progression to interesting tidbits from across the globe. For more information on raw denim, you can check out Jing Liu’s encounter with Naked & Famous founder.

7. http://bbcicecream.com/blog/

Billionaire Boys Club’s Official Blog. A great escape from reality where you’ll find the latest in technological wonders, architectural marvels, art, music and of course all news related to Pharrell.

8. http://www.upscaleswagger.com/

Upscale Swagger, is a lifestyle of higher living. Upscale Swagger features items on Fashion, Music, Movies, Celebrities, Cars, Real Estate, and other Luxuries.

9. http://stylecrave.com/

Focused more on the luxury lifestyle and clothing, provides a refreshing outlook on the fashion world from a different perspective.

10. http://a-man-fashion.blogspot.com/

A fashion focused on the writing styles of articles for those seeking that polished and refined look. A great place to spot all the latest fashion trends.

Naked & Famous Denim are the best rated in quality and value by JUZD Lead Designer, Jing Liu. Offering premium denim and the latest innovation in fabric technology is the driving force behind the Naked & Famous labels’ success. As the exclusive producer of ‘Silk Denim’, a rare and unique blended fabric originating from Japan, than brought to Canada to be produced into jeans.