Q&A With Christian H

Tell us about yourself (and jeans.)

I'm a construction and design professional by day, but outside of work I've always been drawn to well-made products that improve with age. Whether it's architecture, woodworking, home projects, or denim, I appreciate craftsmanship and things that tell a story through use. Raw selvedge denim checks all those boxes for me. I enjoy the process of breaking in a pair, watching the fades develop naturally, and making them uniquely mine over time.

Tell us about your journey behind your denim. And what made you get into the selvedge.

I've always appreciated quality clothing, but once I discovered raw selvedge denim I was hooked. I loved the idea that every pair becomes a reflection of the person wearing it. Unlike pre-distressed jeans, raw denim records your daily life through every crease and fade. That combination of craftsmanship, patience, and individuality is what keeps me coming back. Each pair becomes more personal the longer you wear it.

We would like to know your process and a little about how you repair your denim.

I really enjoy repairing my denim. Selvedge denim is an investment not only of money, but also of time. After spending months breaking in a pair and earning those fades, I don't want to retire them because of a tear or worn spot.

I do all of my repairs by hand and have found that embroidery floss works incredibly well. It's durable, easy to work with, and comes in countless colors. Depending on the pair, and honestly my mood that day, I'll either try to make the repair nearly invisible or turn it into something that stands out. I see every repair as another chapter in the story of the jeans and another opportunity to make them even more unique.

What is your experience with heavy weight stretch selvedge compared to non-stretch selvedge.

This pair is the 17.5 oz four-way stretch selvedge. Compared to traditional non-stretch selvedge, it definitely has more give, but it's still substantially more rigid than the lighter-weight stretch denim I've worn from KATO.

I prefer the four-way stretch for everyday wear. It still delivers the substantial feel and character of heavyweight denim while making the break-in process much more comfortable. It feels like a great balance between performance and authenticity.

How did you hear about KATO, and what made you interested in the brand?

I discovered my first pair of KATO jeans at Nordstrom. I stopped in looking specifically for selvedge denim, and KATO was one of the few brands they carried. What immediately stood out was how unbelievably comfortable they were. I couldn't believe a pair of raw selvedge jeans could feel that good right off the rack.

That first 14 oz pair required almost no break-in period, which completely changed my expectations of what selvedge denim could be. Before long, one pair turned into four, and KATO became my go-to denim brand.

Tell us your story behind your fade. Is this your first time wearing same pair daily or have you done other brands before?

This fade project was truly a labor of love. I'd followed the raw denim community for years and always admired the incredible fades people earned through patience and consistency. Eventually I decided it was time to commit to a project of my own.

This was my first time dedicating myself to wearing the same pair every day specifically for fades. It took time, commitment, and plenty of miles, but watching the jeans slowly develop their own character made the journey incredibly rewarding. Looking at them now, every fade and every repair reminds me of the experiences that created them. That's what makes raw denim so special to me… no one else will ever have this exact pair.