The Nudie Jeans are based on a fundamental consideration for:

- The product and all parts and components it consists of, its aesthetics, and its quality

- The working conditions of all people involved in the manufacture of the product

- What impact the production and sale of the product has on the environment

- The product after sales; how to take care of the product, how to make it become like a second skin and how to repair it.

Agave is represented by friends, artisans and passionate people who stand for Courage, Compassion & Conservation. We are committed to designing and manufacturing beautiful, inspired and authentic denim products in a sustainable way using the highest quality materials in the USA.  We only make products we love to wear.  We treat our associates like family.  We manufacture in an ethical way, whenever possible in the USA.  We pay our partner suppliers and associates fair wages.  Our goal is to have fun every day and to enjoy life… and make amazing jeans and sportswear.

Alchemy Goods makes all of their products in Seattle, WA through the process of up-cycling (that is, through turning something of lesser value into something of greater value).  They source unique materials such as bicycle tubes, seat-belts, and billboards) from an expansive recycling network comprised of bike shops, junkyards, and advertising firms.  Products are manufactured locally with a focus on sustainability, quality and outstanding service.

Green Guru Tablet Sling

Anything that is made from up-cycled materials automatically has a story, which fosters a sense of connectedness between ourselves and the people and places that our clothes have come from.  Not only does this mean that up-cycled accessories are great conversation starters, it also means that they are vehicles for you to spread awareness regarding the importance of social responsibility simply by getting dressed in the morning.  Likewise, this is a relatively easy (and extremely fun) way to move toward a more “green” lifestyle while reducing your own footprint and the global problem of overconsumption.

On a more fashion-oriented note, up-cycled accessories are just COOL!  They have a different texture and look than other products (although they may look ordinary at first glance), and the fact that used materials are being re-used means everything is unique. No two products will be exactly the same!  The variety that this offers is refreshing in a world of “cookie cutter” products.  The creativity that goes into up-cycling inspires me…often up-cycled products repurpose used materials for something completely unrelated to the original use of the material.  This encourages us all to seek out innovative solutions to problems – a commendable feat for a simple clothing accessory!

AG Messenger Bag

My favorites this week are two US-based companies – Alchemy Goods and Green Guru Gear.  Not only are these companies both based in the US, but all of their products are made in the US as well.  Green Guru Gear is headquartered in Boulder, CO and uses recycled and up-cycled materials including bike tubes, banners, wetsuits, climbing rope, and plastic bottles.  Alchemy Goods, of Seattle, WA, uses recycled and up-cycled materials too, including bicycle tubes and seat-belts.  Both companies make products that are very cool – functional, fashionable, unique, and eco-conscious.

Here at boulder, we are currently carrying bags, belts, wallets and various cases (ipad, kindle) from Alchemy Goods and Green Guru Gear…I encourage you to stop by and check them out, they speak for themselves as cool and responsible accessories to add to your wardrobe.

The Alchemy Goods Tube Belt

The particular jeans we discussed were a pair that I had altered myself (with scissors and safety pins) to give them a style that was uniquely mine…I loved them so much that I wore them almost every day. After repetitive wear, they were super comfortable, but they were also falling apart and I had to let them go within a year of the first time I had worn them.

The conversation with my friend left me longing for a pair of jeans that I can share the same connection with now. I’ve realized that my denim no longer has any individuality or character and that despite the plethora of denim that I own, I seem to constantly have to buy more because the broken-in jeans that are so readily available in stores have such a short usable life. Most of the time, the only denim available for purchase is already broken in and will have a tendency to take on a very generic, uniform look and feel…and will be close to the end of its usable life even as a brand new pair of jeans.

The good news here comes in the form of dry organic jeans, which are made from organic cotton and are not broken in at all by the manufacturer. Buying a pair of these jeans becomes like purchasing a blank canvas that you can turn into your own unique masterpiece. This kind of denim takes about 6 months to break in with daily wear and encourages you to become one with your jeans. Everything you do in your jeans breaks them in while also adding character to them – no two pairs end up alike. Not only do I like the individuality this lends to denim, but I like it for sustainability purposes. Having the need for only one pair of jeans that are sturdy enough to be worn for years (we’re talking 10 years or more) that are also form fitted to your body through the process of you breaking them in (which also gives them a unique character created by you) is, in my opinion, brilliant.

My favorite denim right now comes via Nudie jeans of Sweden. These raw denim jeans come in a variety of styles and look amazing brand new and even better once they’ve been broken in. The breaking-in process recommended by the manufacturer includes minimal washing, which makes them lower maintenance and more environmentally friendly than your standard pair of department store jeans. They cost only slightly higher than an average pair of pre-broken jeans, but will outlast and out-style them exponentially, making it a truly worthwhile investment to pick up a pair.

Check out the Nudies on display in the front of boulder and try on a couple of pairs to find your perfect fit…then get ready for years of adventures with them!