Ginew, the world’s only Native American denim brand, has just announced their newest jeans, a fit called the West Fork Red. Rivers are extremely important to indigenous peoples, essential to everyday life. It’s only fitting, therefore, that Ginew name this particular style of jeans after the West Fork of the Red Cedar River, which runs through the Mohican reservation of the Stockbridge-Munsee people.
The Red jeans are a pragmatic fit, with a wide top block and a slightly tapered leg, featuring Japanese denim from Nihon Menpu in either indigo or black. The 13oz. selvedge denim may come from elsewhere, but everything else is 100% Ginew. The hardware features the Ojibwe lodges and Oneida skydome, sacred symbols of the tribes to which the husband-and-wife design team belong. The patch is deerskin, hunted by Erik and Amanda, just as their families have done for generations.
While other designers look outside themselves for inspiration, Erik and Amanda, the heads of Ginew, need only look inward, into themselves and their communities to find the stories they wish to tell. And knowing Ginew, there are likely to be some stories and blessings hidden away in the details of the jeans that they’ll never tell us overtly which you’ll just have to discover for yourself (hint: it has to do with the chain stitching done by the folks at Ft. Lonesome).
For the sneakerheads who’ve got a keen eye, you’ll notice that Ginew’s tied in their heritage one step further by styling their new jeans with a pair of Jordan N7’s, a special pair that was designed by Native Americans.
And, if anything should happen to these jeans down the line, Ginew still has you covered. With the purchase of the West Fork jeans, you’ll get $20 off your first repair at Indigo Proof.
Both jeans are available for $235 at Ginew.
