How The Common-Folk makes warm weather–ready menswear from small-batch Japanese denim

Selvage denim is a luxe, durable Japanese blend woven in small batches on vintage looms. The Common-Folk founder Joseph Azulay—pictured here with sewer Emily Picillo—became obsessed with the textile in 2014 when he travelled to the denim district of Okayama, Japan: he cycled around for days, hunting for mills spinning traditional selvage threads. Now, he has a roster of trusted Okayama mills he works with every season. After the fabric arrives, all manufacturing is done by hand in three small Toronto studios: one for samples, one for clothes and one for accessories. The Common-Folk originally focused on accessories, like selvage chambray bow ties ($10):

This bow tie was woven using indigo-dyed chambray (the red dotted line is unique to selvage denim):

The brand’s spring collection marks their first venture into apparel: they now also sell button-down chambray shirts and indigo kimono-inspired jackets. The new line, which runs between $50 for a pocket square and $295 for a kimono jacket, is sold at Gotstyle, Park and Province, and Good Neighbour.

thecommon-folk.com