Blaumann Jeanshosen
German selvedge jeans, Kuroki denim woven in Japan, sewn in Künzelsau
Philosophy
Blaumann proves artisanal denim isn't exclusive to Japan or the USA. Handmade in Germany with Japanese and European selvedge, in a Künzelsau workshop. Slow production, uncompromising quality.
History
Jeans are a Bavarian invention. Levi Strauss, born in Buttenheim, Franconia, emigrated to America and created the world's most-worn garment. 150 years later, nobody makes jeans in Germany anymore. Guido Wetzels and Christian Hampel, trained textile engineers, found this absurd. In 2013, with Peter Bättig and Gerd Walz, they founded Blaumann Jeanshosen in Künzelsau, Baden-Württemberg. "Blaumann" means "blue collar workwear" in German.
Their approach: raw Japanese selvedge, unsanforized, sewn in Germany. Denim from Kuroki in Okayama. All hardware 100% German. Felled seams, hidden back rivets, visible selvedge at the hem. Each pair is limited-run, individually numbered.
BR Fernsehen (Bavarian ARD) featured them in "Schmidt Max und die perfekte Jeans." Among enthusiasts, the brand is respected in the European denim community. On enthusiasts: "Top Qualität, bin sehr zufrieden." Small-batch, artisanal production, no American-style marketing. German rigor applied to a Japanese art form.
Iconic Products
Gerader Blaumann (Straight)
The straight cut, the founding model. 13.5 oz Kuroki selvedge, mid-high waist, button fly. The quintessential classic jean, recalling the original Levi's 501 but sewn in Germany with Japanese denim. The Rugged Society describes it as a jean that 'stands out on second glance.' Patinas slowly, as all good heavy raw denim should.
Schmaler Blaumann (Slim)
The slim version of the same Kuroki denim. For those wanting German raw selvedge without the workwear cut. Same construction, felled seams, hidden rivets. The compromise between raw denim tradition and contemporary silhouette. The best-selling model according to retailers.
Blaumann Karotte (Tapered)
The carrot cut - wide at the top, tapered at the bottom. Shows Blaumann doesn't just do classic. Same denim, same construction, but a more modern silhouette for the streetweaenthusiasts crowd. The name 'Karotte' (carrot) is typically German in its descriptive honesty.