Sorry, I think I just blacked out. Oh wait, never mind, I just stared at John Angelo Tuliao’s Iron Heart IH555-03s jeans for too long. Worn almost every other day to work and on weekends, John has achieved what most take years to do — reach fade greatness.

John’s washing regime is lax, washing his jeans whenever they start to smell — a denied request of many significant others, friends, and family in the denim community I’m sure — stay strong, it gets smellier.  This laid back approach mixed with hard wear in the Manilla, Philippines climate has created the perfect conditions for truly satisfying gray-black fades. Just right off the bat, after looking at blue jeans all the time, it is so refreshing to see a variation of the conventional, especially since the fading does something completely different on a darker backdrop. With shadowy whiskers, a smokey seat,  gothic honeycombs, and 49.99 shades of gray sprinkled throughout, these are the Jack Skellington of fades.

You can follow John on Instagram @angelotuliao

Iron Heart IH555-03 21oz Selvedge Denim Super Slim Jeans – Superblack

• Fabric: Raw ‘superblack’ selvedge denim (sanforized)
• Fabric weight: 21 oz.
• Fabric source: Japan
• Made in: Japan
• Fit: Super Slim
• Additional Details:
  • This denim has a black sulfur dyed warp and a black reactive dyed weft. With time the warp will fade but the weft won’t.
  • Natural leather waist patch
• Available at: Iron Heart for $345