Fade Friday – Lee 101Z 23oz (15 months, 0 washes, 0 soaks)

We were sitting in the press lounge at Denim by PV when Nick nearly dropped his drink–he had spotted these heavyweight beauties a few tables away. In a show where washed denim reigns supreme, natural fades stand out like an oasis in the desert.

You’re looking at Lee’s heaviest pair–23 ounces of Japanese rope-dyed indigo selvedge denim in their classic 101Z cut. This model was only produced for Lee Europe two years ago and it looks like it’s been discontinued. Unfortunate, because the fades they produce are stunning.

This one belongs to King-Yu Yiu, a designer for British high fashion label Vivienne Westwood. King’s been wearing his jeans for going on 15 months now without a single wash. He’s had one crotch blowout that required a recent repair, but otherwise he’s going strong and has many more months left to fade. King also documented his fades every month, which we’ve compiled into a gif so you can see his jeans’s journey to how they look today. Check it out:

Details

  • Name: Lee 101Z 
  • Fabric: 100% cotton Japanese selvedge denim
  • Weight: 23oz.
  • Fit: Slim straight
  • Unique features:
    • Zip fly
    • Lee spade pockets
    • Branded Lee leather patch
  • Currently unavailable

Before

Image courtesy: Oi Polloi

Image courtesy: Oi Polloi

During

lee23lapse

15 months of fades.

After

leefrontback

lee fade friday - 6

lee_side

lee fade friday - 5

lee fade friday - 3

Update

King just sent us the progress pics of his jeans now at 16 months, no washes. We’ll keep you updated as long as he keeps updating us:

month16update