INDUSTRY ISSUES
Remaining Committed to Denim Progress and Success in 2026
By Dorothy Crouch, Contributing Writer | January 8, 2026
California Apparel News asked denim-industry experts: What sustainable, transparency, philanthropic, financial, manufacturing, technology or social commitments are you strictly adhering to during 2026 and in what other areas of the denim business will you be more flexible?
Japan’s Edwin Denim brand to Unveil Adriano Goldschmied Line for US
In its 70th anniversary year, Japanese denim powerhouse Edwin Co. Ltd. opened a U.S. creative studio and is bringing in jeans legend Adriano Goldschmied to design a collection for the U.S. market.
Edgemine Goes Premium with Evidnt Los Angeles
After more than 20 years in fashion, the Edgemine company launched its first denim line intended for a women’s premium-denim market.
Candiani, Albiate 1830 and Matias Showcase Italian Denim Innovation in L.A.
Albiate 1830, the denim division of Bergamo, Italy–based Italian mill Gruppo Albini, and Italian denim mill Candiani joined forces to create FineFusions, a collection that showcases “top Italian heritage, cutting-edge thinking and a virtuous spirit.”
True Religion Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection
True Religion, once a high-flying premium denim brand so popular its blue jeans were constantly being knocked off by counterfeiters, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on July 5 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware.
Cone’s S Gene Tech Turns 10
Greensboro, N.C.–based denim mill Cone Denim is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of its S Gene dual-core technology.
A New NAFTA Is Having a Ripple Effect in Los Angeles
With changes in the North American Free Trade Agreement in the wind, Los Angeles blue-jeans factories have been fielding more inquiries from denim labels thinking about switching production from Mexico to California.
Premium Denim Line Works With Skingraft Brand to Knock Homeless Crisis
Los Angeles County’s homeless crisis has skyrocketed in the past year, with 57,794 individuals counted as homeless by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. It’s an almost 23 percent increase over 2016.
Reformation’s Fight Against Toxic Denim
Los Angeles’ Reformation label is one of a handful of companies that has lifted eco-fashion from a cottage industry to a larger scale.
Twin Dragon Introduces New Eco Initiatives for Denim
Gardena, Calif.–based Twin Dragon Marketing Inc. has introduced several new environmental initiatives for 2017 for the company’s denim facilities in Mexico and Asia.
Cone Highlights New Developments and S/S 2018 Denim Trends at Los Angeles Event
Greensboro, N.C.–based Cone Denim—the heritage denim mill with operations in the U.S., Mexico and China—recently hosted an event in Los Angeles to highlight new developments and preview trends for Spring/Summer 201
Hudson Jeans Names New President
Starting April 10, Matthew Fior will take over as the new president of Hudson Jeans, based in Los Angeles.
Cohen & Sons Balances Vintage and New Moto Styles
Motorcycle fashions are perennially in style, from the classic looks of Steve McQueen and biker gangs such as the Hells Angels to the folks who race motorcycles.
New Owners Lay Off More People at 7 For All Mankind, Splendid and Ella Moss
Eight months ago, Israeli-based Delta Galil acquired three Los Angeles premium brands from VF Corp. and then laid off 105 people.
Coco Cooper: Taking a New Look at Size and Fit in Premium Denim
Jillian Nelson’s career as a model and fit model—in Hong Kong, at the Columbus, Ohio–headquartered Limited Inc., and in New York—has made her a fit expert.
Denim on the Catwalk
Denim took another turn in the spotlight at the third annual Global Denim Awards in Amsterdam, where an international lineup of designers and denim mills collaborated on collections that highlighted the creative versatility of denim.
