Rising Sun & Company – The Definition of Craftsmanship

To say Pasadena, California-based Rising Sun & Co. Jeans has an eagle-eye attention to detail and ox-like work ethic is a massive understatement.  Founded and led by Mike Hodis, former head designer for Lucky Brand denim, the company specializes in indigo handcrafts that look and feel as if they are straight from the early 1900’s.

In fact, they are practically made as if they are from this time period.  The three-man operation at Rising Sun & Co. cuts, stitches, and sews each pair of dungarees not only on a vintage single needle machines (which are 80+ years old), but also on a as needed basis.  Think of when you go to a restaurant and you order a dish.  Unless you’re dining at your local McD’s, they’ll cook up and serve your food after you order it.  The same pretty much applies here to Rising Sun & Co. They manufacture a set amount of denim, and when one is sold, they produce another.  Don’t forget that each denim’s pattern is designed and cut by Hodis before being passed on to a special team of tailors.

If you need more visual proof, check out this video of one of their tailor’s sewing what will become belt loop’s.  All by hand, no guard or guiding tool required.

In terms of Hodis (see our earlier post – “Put This On – Denim Special feat. Mike Hodis from Rising Sun & Co.“), he eats, lives, and breaths denim, firmly believing that “denim is a living and breathing organism”. We had our doubts but then you take a look at his work and even ethos. It was no surprise then that we saw this submission in Dec 2010 for “The Hardest Working Jean Marker in America”:

Alright, enough with all the talk though – let’s take a look at the goods.  Pls note we were unable to find the denim specs, but are still searching.

Photos (courtesy of Rakuten):

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