Re/Done Is A Secret Weapon For Vintage Denim Lovers

Re/Done jeans “tell the story of a past life,” according to founders Sean Barron and Jamie Mazur. Every pair is made from vintage Levi’s, making them “100 per cent unique and exclusive”. 

No wonder they’re popular: the worn-in denim has been tailored to fit perfectly, from flattering baggy boyfriend jeans to straight-leg styles that sit just right. Below, founders Sean Barron and Jamie Mazur share the genius behind Re/Done’s hardworking denim.

Read more: The Best Jeans For Women

Courtesy of Re/Done

What were the early days of Re/Done like?

Sean: At the beginning, it was just me, Jamie and a couple of sewers. After a tedious nine months of product development – creating one mid-rise modern skinny fit, and one perfectly slouchy, borrowed-from-the-boys relaxed fit – the first run of 300 pairs sold out in 12 minutes from our direct-to-consumer site. A waiting list with thousands of people sparked demand for more, and so it began. 

Of all denim on the market, why did you decide to upcycle Levi’s? 

Jamie: Levi’s is the most iconic denim brand around the world, so it only made sense to start there. We take advantage of the abundance of beautiful vintage jeans sitting in rag houses around Los Angeles that nobody wants because the fit is off or they’re damaged. The reason pre-loved denim is so great, after all, is because someone bought them brand new and wore them for years to develop unique, natural fade patterns.

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Tell us more about the vintage inspiration behind the denim

Sean: Re/Done’s ethos involves making the past present, not just with upcycling but with reimagining some of the most iconic silhouettes ever created. From a ’70s bootcut to a ’90s low slung jean, we’ve paid homage to the style of almost every decade of the 1900s with our own Californian twist.

What makes Re/Done denim so good?

Jamie: Our jeans have quality construction and vintage character. Within their fade patterns, they tell stories of decades past, celebrating each item’s history and continuing its individual story.

90s High-Rise Jeans

£275£178

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70s Ultra High Rise Wide Leg Frayed Jeans

How has the brand evolved since the beginning?

Sean: When we launched Re/Done in 2014, upcycling wasn’t really a concept people knew about or discussed. We knew that responsibility needed to be integrated into everything we did. 

While staying true to our decades-driven, conscious design, we’ve expanded our product offering to include artisanal (and now recycled!) footwear and upcycled ready-to-wear. We even launched our own marketplace, where we sell the rarest vintage collectibles around, extending the lives of these historical artefacts.

What has changed about your core denim styles?

Jamie: Like the rest of our collection, our denim category hasn’t so much as changed as it has expanded. We started with two silhouettes, and have since output close to 100. Of course we always have the essentials available for sale like our High Rise Loose or ’70s Straight, but we also introduce interesting seasonal items like one-of-a-kind miniskirts or dresses.

70s High-Rise Straight-Leg Jeans

£275£151

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90s Distressed Organic Straight-Leg Jeans

£325£146

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What have you learnt about denim along the way?

Sean: With all the fashion trends and “It-brands” that come and go, denim is the one constant that is always a part of any wardrobe. It really is an amazing democratic category. Everyone loves their favourite pair of jeans!