CEO Letter: A Year of Discovery and Connection
This year has felt like one long journey filled with discovery and connection — in the best possible way. From New York to Amsterdam to Hangzhou, my travels for Kingpins have reaffirmed why I love this industry: the constant innovation, the shared passion and the people who make denim such a powerful global community.
My most-recent trip was a little closer to my home in Los Angeles. I traveled to Clarendon, Texas, where I joined a group of industry colleagues to visit a cotton R&D farm. The farm we toured was a R&D plot featuring 500 different varieties of cotton seeds.
The trip was organized by Avalo, the North Carolina-based company pioneering the idea of “rapid evolution” of agricultural products. Learning how Avalo’s team uses artificial intelligence to process vast amounts of agronomic data — helping farmers increase productivity, efficiency and sustainability — was a clear reminder of how technology is reshaping the very foundation of our supply chain.
These are precisely the kinds of breakthroughs we want to spotlight at Kingpins — ideas that challenge convention and open new possibilities for our industry. That spirit is what drives the Jeanius Hub, our growing platform for innovation and experimentation.
Since launching earlier this year, Jeanius Hub has evolved into a destination where the denim community can encounter new perspectives, technologies and collaborations that push the boundaries of what’s possible.
At Kingpins Amsterdam (Oct.15–16 at SugarFactory), we’ll expand on that vision with the debut of Made in España, an immersive showcase celebrating Spain’s leadership in textile innovation, technology and chemistry.
Featuring industry leaders such as Tejidos Royo, Pinter Group, Jeanologia, Asutex, Textil Santanderina, Recover™ and Tintes Egara, this new initiative recognizes the creativity and technical excellence that continue to shape how denim is made. Many of these same companies will also appear within Jeanius Hub — underscoring how interconnected innovation has become across our ecosystem.
Made in España will be held in the same space where Made in Japan made its debut in April.
This time, we will have an expanded Made in Japan exhibition, located next to The Boxes inspiration area. Alongside exhibitors like Doctor Denim, ICE, Ideablue, Japan Delivery Service, Kurabo, One-Any, Rainbow Textiles, Shinohara Textiles and Showa, the showcase will include a historical timeline of Japanese denim and a selection of rare archival pieces from Kaihara Denim, Kunosen, Kuwamura and Nihon-Menpu — a fitting tribute to Japan’s deep and enduring influence on our industry.
Over the past two months, I’ve had the privilege of spending significant time in Asia, particularly in Japan, meeting with mills, manufacturers and makers. These face-to-face encounters always remind me that, despite the ease of digital communication, nothing replaces genuine human connection — sharing a meal, hearing someone’s story, understanding their craft. Those moments build the trust and inspiration that fuel everything we do at Kingpins.
I look forward to bringing that same sense of connection to Amsterdam, where I’ll moderate a Denim Talks panel on October 16 at 11 a.m. titled “An Indigo Story: Shaped by Time in Japan, Shared Across Borders.”
Joining me will be Emiko Katayama (Showa), Akihiko Maehara (Kaihara), Hisaya Shiga (Kurabo), Bobby Tohma (Amhot Holdings) and Dr. Denim Yuji Honzawa. Together, we’ll explore
Japan’s deep blue heritage and the cross-cultural exchange that continues to shape the future of denim worldwide.
From Japan, my travels continued to China, where we are finalizing details for our newest Kingpins Pop-up in Chengdu, taking place November 14–16 at Cosmo in the Jinjiang District. Inspired by Chengdu’s vibrant streetwear and music culture, this event will combine B2B and B2C elements — workshops, retail experiences and live podcasts — offering a fresh expression of what a denim event can be.
Chengdu’s creative energy is truly infectious, and I’m excited to bring that vibrancy to the Kingpins community. We can’t wait to share our passion and expertise in denim with the city’s talented creatives. And with a population of around 21.4 million, Chengdu will be one of the largest cities Kingpins has ever showcased in—a remarkable opportunity to introduce our show to a whole new audience!
But before that, we return to Amsterdam — a city that has long been central to Kingpins’ story.
This season, we’ll also celebrate two milestones: the 10th anniversary of Advance Denim’s Amsterdam office and the 15th anniversary of the House of Denim. Both have contributed immensely to our shared vision of a more connected, innovative and sustainable denim industry.
Please join me in congratulating them on these achievements.
It’s been a year of exploration — across continents, across ideas and across communities.
Every trip, every meeting, every story reminds me why our work matters: because denim is not just a fabric, but a network of people constantly reinventing what it can be.
I look forward to seeing you all in Amsterdam — to celebrate, to learn and to continue shaping the future of denim together.
I look forward to seeing you in Amsterdam and continuing this journey together!
