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Welcome to Denim City, the ‘headquarters’ of Amsterdam’s international denim ecosystem. Based in a former tram repair workshop, our expertise & experience center brings together everyone with an interest in ‘blue matters’ – denim lovers, designers, students, academics, entrepreneurs, brands and NGO’s.

Denim City is a collaboration between leading denim brands, industry players and organisations. United by a love for denim, we collaboratively strive for more innovation and craftsmanship.

Our remarkable platform hosts a number of denim-related organisations & facilities: one of the world’s best multi-brand denim stores, a craftsman’s workshop, classrooms for the famous Jean School, a garment archive and Blue Lab: the world’s first & only independent open-source sustainable innovation lab for denim laundry & treatment.

A Brighter Blue

Denim City was initiated by the House of Denim foundation, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to transforming the denim industry for the future: more sustainable, innovative and collaborative. Our mission is to take denim ‘Towards a Brighter Blue’; through education, advocacy and collaboration projects we aim to raise the bar, reduce environmental impact and stimulate adoption of more sustainable innovations. For more information about the House of Denim Foundation, please visit houseofdenim.org.

Jean School

Denim City also hosts the world’s one-and-only independent education facility dedicated to denim. It’s primary course is a 3-year ‘Denim Developer’ programme, training young talent in all aspects of the jean, from crop to shop (including introductions to yarn, fabric, pattern, production, laundry, commerce, innovation and sustainability). Many leading denim brands are involved in the programme, offering materials & machinery, assignments, guest lectures, site visits and internships.

Founded in collaboration with ROCvA, Jean School offers state funded and industry-endorsed courses within the Dutch education system. Since 2016 we also offer a 1-year, English-spoken course with a B-TEC accreditation.

Under the Denim Academy label, Denim City also offers short courses for industry professionals; both for retail and design, production or wholesale staff.

For more information on Jeanschool please visit jeanschool.com

Denim City Workshop

The workshop is Denim City’s most prominent section, offering a full-service industry standard machinery set-up. Sponsored by industry, it is available to students, designers, brands and partners to stimulate (interest in) craftsmanship.

The workshop hosts practical courses for Jean School and Denim Academy, but – powered by our team of resident craftsmen and tailors – also offers sample making and small-run production facilities for partners and designers. Our social enterprise custom-designs and produces denim products, both in assignment and for sale in our store: jeans, bags, aprons and accessories.

Denim City Workshop

The workshop is Denim City’s most prominent section, offering a full-service industry standard machinery set-up. Sponsored by industry, it is available to students, designers, brands and partners to stimulate (interest in) craftsmanship.

The workshop hosts practical courses for Jean School and Denim Academy, but – powered by our team of resident craftsmen and tailors – also offers sample making and small-run production facilities for partners and designers. Our social enterprise custom-designs and produces denim products, both in assignment and for sale in our store: jeans, bags, aprons and accessories.

Denim City Store

Denim heads, look no further: Denim City Store is one of the best denim stores in the country. With an emphasis on sustainable production, locally produced products and special collaborations, we offer an interesting addition to Amsterdam’s already booming denim retail scene.

Indigo Archive

Every industry institute deserves an archive that collects interesting and remarkable pieces for inspiration, research and education purposes. As a tribute to Levi Strauss & co, our archive collection (currently being built) will consist of five hundred and one denim garments.

Our growing collection already includes vintage garments contributed by industry legends such as Adriano Goldschmied, Karl Lagerfeld, Tommy Hilfiger, Jason Denham, Francios Girbaud and many others.

Indigo Archive

Every industry institute deserves an archive that collects interesting and remarkable pieces for inspiration, research and education purposes. As a tribute to Levi Strauss & co, our archive collection (currently being built) will consist of five hundred and one denim garments.

Our growing collection already includes vintage garments contributed by industry legends such as Adriano Goldschmied, Karl Lagerfeld, Tommy Hilfiger, Jason Denham, Francios Girbaud and many others.

Blue Lab

Blue Lab brings together the world’s leading players in the field of ‘laundry’. Laundry entails all of the finishing and treatment processes like ‘stonewashing’ – contrary to what you might think, laundry nowadays is a very high-tech and innovative discipline, that combines artistic creativity with craftsmanship and technology.

Powered by a consortium of the industry’s leading industrial players, Blue Lab is the world’s first open-source laundry innovation facility. It is used by the world’s best brands, mills & laundries to develop & demonstrate new innovations. As the home of the Laundry Alliance (a club of the world’s most sustainable laundries) Blue Lab is also an education facility and showcase for sharing new sustainable solutions.

For more information please visit bluelab.amsterdam