I live in a country where it’s always hot most of the year (except when it’s raining). It’s a 15-minute walk under the scorching sun from my house to my workplace and it’s something I’ve gotten used to already (albeit with a lot of complaining). I am aware of all the UV rays that I’m absorbing every day although there’s no clear manifestation of it unless I check my weather app. But it’s a very real problem that our constant exposure to UV rays will eventually bring harm to our skin.
A speculative biofabrication project by Central Saint Martins graduate Maca Barrera called Melwear project tries to imagine clothes that are made from skin pigment melanin. They can actually become a form of sun and UV protection for us and even let us know what level of UV exposure we’re getting. This project actually uses two different technologies: the creation of melanin-produce bacteria and extracting the pigment from it and the bioprinting of artificial tissues with living cells.
The idea is to use bacterial melanin as sunscreen to shield our bodies from UV radiation since it has UV absorbance and antioxidant properties. The speculative membrane with encapsulated melanin will supposedly become darker the more the wearer is exposed to UV rays. Basically it’s supposed to become a second skin that will protect the user and also react with the environment so they become more aware that we need protection from the sun and to prevent skin cancer as well.
This is still very much a speculative project so there’s no functional prototype yet other than the production of the bacterial melanin and the testing of the bioprinting technology. It’s an interesting idea that can hopefully be explored more, although thinking about wearing something that’s made from melanin doesn’t necessarily bring visions of fashionable outfits.
Denim has clung to its roots like a stubborn old cat to its favorite sunlit spot, toughing it out from its humble beginnings in the 17th-century mines of Europe and North America to become today’s fashion must-have. Originally crafted for the grit and grime of the California Gold Rush, denim’s sturdy, breathable, and versatile chops quickly made it the go-to getup for laborers. Then came 1873, when Levi Strauss threw in some rivets and catapulted denim into the wardrobe hall of fame. Despite a world buzzing with tech innovations, the fundamental jeans blueprint hasn’t wavered much—until now. Enter stage left: world adventurers and dedicated explorers with their brainchild, the Standard Issue Denim 001, a nifty modern twist on the old classic.
Designer: S Jordan Berman and Peter McDougald Juhl
This dynamic duo, who met in 2010 while climbing at a gym in Brooklyn, NY, envisioned merging fashion with function right from the start. Their journey led them to create “Wares for All Reasons,” a brand born out of a desire to blend climbing utility with everyday style. The Standard Issue Denim 001 stands as their peak achievement, distinctly crafted to endure the most rigorous activities without sacrificing real-world denim’s chic, timeless look. Think of these jeans as your go-to for every conceivable adventure, built to withstand time and trends.
Inspired by the needs of urban athletes and adventurers, these pants are crafted from our proprietary workwear-weight HSTech Denim fabric and are designed for maximum comfort and flexibility, without compromising style.
HSTech Denim has a 13% stretch factor on its diagonal, in line with the stretchiest, most flexible men’s denim available.
These jeans are specifically engineered for the urban outdoors—ultra-durable, with the rugged, iconic 5-pocket silhouette expected from a classic pair of jeans, yet flexible enough to move with you wherever the day takes you. The Standard Issue Denim 001 jazzes up the traditional jean scene, serving up a recipe that suits both the adrenaline junkie and the serial Netflix binger. Whether you’re dodging taxis in the city streets or glued to your sofa, these jeans merge flair with function without breaking a sweat. The secret sauce? Their revolutionary HSTech Denim boasts a 13% diagonal stretch factor, aligning it with the stretchiest, most flexible men’s denim available, all while maintaining that timeless denim vibe with 98% cotton. It’s like your body got a hug from a cloud—comfortable, stylish, and ludicrously adaptive.
Standard Issue Denim 001 jeans are crafted with globally sourced, top – grade materials.
The Standard Issue Denim 001 comes in 8 sizes with one classic color option—and more of each color on the way, ensuring that these jeans are not just versatile in use but also in style. Each pair is crafted with sustainability in mind, featuring a circular product life-cycle to minimize environmental impact. They are vegan, manufactured ethically, and built to last through thousands of washes and tens of thousands of wears. This might just be the last pair of jeans you’ll ever need to buy. In the rare event they wear out, they can be returned to the manufacturers for repair or to receive a 10% discount on your next pair.
Talk about a chameleon of the closet! These jeans effortlessly flip between semi-formal and kick-back casual and are tough enough to take on the great outdoors. Thanks to their ninja-like 4-way stretch fabric, imagine jeans that could handle a yoga session. No belt? No problem. The ingenious split waist design ensures a snug fit, expanding or contracting with your every move—ideal for those post-buffet moments when you need just a little more room. They are kitted out with high-step knee darts for when you need to high-kick, zippered pockets for stashing treasures, and a slim profile to keep things sleek. The redesigned front pocket layout holds items securely, preventing them from running amok. Night owls, rejoice: there’s a reflective ankle strap for those after-dark escapades, plus a handy webbing key loop that keeps keys out of the way.
These jeans outperform typical denim, proving to be the Swiss Army knife of apparel. Ready for anything, they are equipped to accompany the most dynamic lifestyles, seamlessly blending durability with style. Whether you’re conquering a mountain or navigating city chaos, these jeans are designed to support your every endeavor, proving that style and function are inseparable. They are crafted by people who live and breathe adventures for today’s doers and dreamers, making the Standard Issue Denim 001 a true standout in the world of denim.
They say Denim was invented in the 17th century, and popularized across parts of Europe and North America in the centuries after that. The material, which was derived while trying to produce a heavy-duty fabric, was perfect for workers in mines, factories, quarries, and gold diggers during the California Gold Rush in the late 19th century. It was durable, tough, comfortable, breathable, and frankly, looked good in both clean or slightly ripped-up styles. In 1873, Levi Strauss obtained a US patent for putting rivets in denim jeans, helping enhance their longevity, and practically turn the garment from a worker essential into a fashion staple. However, denim hasn’t seen much of a change since then. Sure, there have been minor improvements to the manufacturing like the integration of stretchable yarns that give denim a 4-way stretch, but jeans today are still fundamentally no different from the ones made post 1873… and S Jordan Berman and Peter McDougald Juhl want to change that. You see, jeans were originally designed for laborers, but are now worn by practically everyone, and that’s a bit of a problem. Berman and Juhl’s redesigned jeans, dubbed the Standard Issue Denim 001, are actually designed for everyday life – with a fit that’s perfect for work, leisure, and even sport, and a fabric that’s durable, stretchable, and breathable. Life’s changed a lot since 1873… it’s time our jeans changed too.
Designers: S Jordan Berman and Peter McDougald Juhl
The Standard Issue Denim 001 isn’t like your regular pair of jeans – it’s designed simultaneously to be worn with semi-formals, casuals, or even as functional-wear while camping and hiking. The jeans boast a perfect fit made possible without needing a belt, and have a unique 4-way stretch fabric that helps you do everything short of actual parkour (or maybe you could), without sacrificing durability.
Inspired by the needs of urban athletes and adventurers, these pants are crafted from our proprietary workwear-weight HSTech Denim fabric and are designed for maximum comfort and flexibility, without compromising style.
HSTech Denim has a 13% stretch factor on its diagonal, in line with the stretchiest, most flexible men’s denim available.
The secret lies in the fabric. Wares for All Reasons utilizes a proprietary HS Tech stretch denim that combines durability with exceptional flexibility using a combination of 98% cotton and 2% stretchable materials. This allows for a full range of motion without sacrificing the classic denim look. Whether you’re lunging at the gym or negotiating a deal at the office, these jeans are designed to move with you. But functionality isn’t the only focus – The Standard Issue Denim 001 comes in a classic, clean silhouette, free from excessive embellishments. This timeless design ensures the jeans will remain a staple in your wardrobe for every season for years to come.
Standard Issue Denim 001 jeans are crafted with globally sourced, top – grade materials.
The jeans boast some clever detailing too, like the split waist construction that allows the waistline to stretch and contract based on your body, giving you a snug fit without a belt. High-step knee darts give you a wide range of motion, allowing you to bend your knees without feeling the fabric stretching too much or pressing against your skin. Zippered pockets at the back give your wallet secure storage, and a slim 5-pocket design also gives you ample storage for your belongings and EDC without that baggy appearance that most cargo pants with multiple pockets have. A high-vis reflective ankle strap lets you be spotted in low light, and a webbing loop in the rear lets you secure your keys or a carabiner to your pants in a way that you really can’t with regular denims unless you attach them to a belt loop.
The Standard Issue Denim 001 comes in 8 sizes with one classic color option (and more on the way). Each pair of Standard Issue Denim 001s is vegan, manufactured ethically, and with a circular product life-cycle. The jeans are made to be durable and last for thousands of washes and tens of thousands of wears (this might just be the last pair of jeans you’ll want to buy), and if and when the jeans finally wear out, they can be returned to their manufacturers who will either repair them for you or offer a 10% discount on your next pair of jeans.
