Cool Hunting Video Presents: Roy Denim

Hidden on a back street in Oakland, California in an unassuming warehouse lies what may be the pinnacle of denim craftsmanship in the USA. Roy Denim is actually just one man, Roy Slaper, whose obsession with making jeans has driven his small business into the conciseness of denim heads everywhere. In our video we learn about Roy's machine driven approach in creating his jeans, the birth of his business and how his obsessive attention to detail results in some of the toughest, nicest looking denim around.

[@seoulman2u]

GREAT WORK MAN! I would just love to spend the entire day in your shop watching your create jeans......love craftsmanship.

[@tmcleung]

It's a legit question, that's what I wanted to know as well. Maybe not evisu, but definitely momotaro, iron heart, samurai, the flat head, etc. Roy uses Japanese selvedge denim or his own denim fabric (which I'm 99% sure it's no Zimbabwe cotton). So why wouldn't I spend a bit more and get a 100% made in Japan denim? Japanese denim is in a different league in terms of workmanship and quality.

[@kwfown]

Guess it stopped being fun for him

[@carl0533]

This reminds me of an era when "Made in the USA" was the absolute best you could find. Kudos to this gentleman and his craft.... We need to bring back this level of quality back on our shores and things will definitely begin to improve

[@beowoofthemoviestar]

Great film, cool studio, great machines, nice guy having fun sewing - loved it.

[@4570Govt]

I've watched various videos of Roy in the past year or so, but this one resonated the most with me. I have a small sewing business, making custom gear for photographers. I started in my bedroom, and 3 years ago, moved into a small industrial space that I wasn't sure if I could afford. Now I've got my gear in nearly 40 countries around the world, and his philosophy of "if it's not fun anymore, I'll have to reassess what I'm going to do next" really clicked with me. I enjoy coming into my shop every day, and most days I'm here 10-14hrs, sometimes more. Sometimes I sleep here and not go home so I don't have to drive. I'm the only person here, who cares if I'm a bit stinky? Working for myself, finding what machine I'm investing into next so I can expand my offerings to my customers, is so fun. I've done many road trips during the past 4 years to buy machines, including to Chicago, Iowa, Northern California, Nevada, and Alabama. Each machine brings a story, usually "a deal too hard to pass up", but it's my story, my life, and I live it how I please. Once it's no longer fun, I'll move to something else. But I don't see that happening anytime soon, as customers are ordering more than ever, even with a so-called pandemic going on! Well done Roy, I hope I can meet you some day and talk machines.

[@polloinsano-t9s]

Hola buenas noches le felicito amigo tengo poco tiempo en pontiac tengo la suficiente experiencia para emprender un negocio de esta magnitud necesito asesoramiento..

[@ВечноМолодой-ю9п]

ЯЯ уже 10 лет вас упрашиваю, отправьте в Россию.

[@bambu]

We are in awe of your obsessive passion for material and craft. You provide stately precision to rough ready to wear gear. Man, you elevate denim to new heights.

[@222varminter]

Awesome, a dream come true!! :)

[@maribelriojas4009]

Dónde. Sitio de venta. Dirección. Porfavor

[@dukeyvee]

sick shit man i have about 6 machines in my basement and I do the same thing... you have a couple of great machines there.

[@ludifisk]

if you are seriously asking that question, you should stick with evisu

[@mrsseasea]

This is just pure awesome!

[@paulhallett2861]

Roy, I respect your ethos & methodology. True Artist.

[@chuckybest55]

Where can anyone placed orders and do you have patterns from other companies like Levi’s or Lee jeans ?

[@minkusdomink267]

I want these so bad.

[@tonyrojas8444]

How can I get some custom jeans ?

[@LibertyGraphicDesigns]

this is freacking AWESOME

[@IndieCities]

Roy, you're a legend! #FullTimeHobby

[@luxurycarkey7207]

In that room you found your peace this is what makes you happy its a true gift keep up the good work i have 2 machines an i love them during the pandemic last year i made over 700 mask and i gave them all away to people who needed them an i use to work for botany 500 making mens suits an coats..its about loving what you do an having fun i understand how you feel...i wish you the best

[@SOLDIER_ANT_]

What model is that singer embroidery machine called?

[@zachthompson5335]

114W103

[@hamansutra]

If you find yourself bored, it's your own Fold.

[@antonioteul3590]

Thanks for sharing the video Sr. God bless you! And greetings from 🇧🇿

[@MrGylsen]

Wow, just come across your video, this is so traditional way of making clothes by hand which is not mast produced and made in China, plus this a better way of making clothes and this is how I learnt on how to use theses machines not a computerised sewing machine...

[@anon4518]

Great work

[@DRAvalon1999]

Super German machines. Talented man, who work with it.

[@obirijosephseedorf3568]

Hey !Roy am your number one fan in AFRICA. i will one day order one of your selvedge jeans.

[@bristothomas3526]

❤expert

[@Tsiphon]

He wasn't being defensive, just blunt. In the video, Roy talked about how he is doing this for fun. He still has to cover the costs to pay off the upstart. If both his raw japanese denim and the raw japanese evisu cost the same, you would say "do I want a mass produced product from a brand I know," or "do I want to support this up-and-coming craftsman." If you consider the two goods of equal quality, maybe having one of the probably few jeans he has produced sounds appealing.

[@ГарикАртемян-л4р]

🙏 💯% 💣👍

[@robertoposa1120]

Love your work your jeans and your atelier all unique - you are just one in a million

[@dickmcshan9778]

Proud of you, Roy!

[@alpineflauge909]

thank you

[@BlueSkyScholar]

I believe Roy's stock denim is from Cone Mills in Greensboro NC made to his specs, The goods he was showing is his personal stash of nice/interesting stuff and not used for production.

[@alpineflauge909]

amazing

[@19Locke91]

sorry i cant understand him what is he saying at 4:01 ? what´s the machine called? im really interested in. thx

[@obirijosephseedorf3568]

YOU DONT WASH? NOT EVEN ONE WASH.LIKE RINSE WASH OR GARMENT WASH.

[@JacobSaki]

Little out of my price range (highschooler) but i respect your morals and wish i could be a buyer.

[@DAFOMAstudios]

You are an inspiration. To see some one having FUN at the creative and technical task of making is so above and beyond what we expect to get out of life. Thank you for sharing your sewing machines and studio and most of all your passion. Love you.

[@gabriellechilton5902]

When you love a hobby. You love every part of that hobby.

[@MrKraziemouse13]

love this .... what do u think i should get to start making jeans

[@newsjurken7094]

Super!!!

[@butchiegumdrops]

Awesome video. I love your passion.

[@АркадийКапит]

ROY!YOUR JOB IS COOL,RESPECT

[@jonathanpujol]

awesome !!!!! so much good machines

[@nrattanaphas]

Sick. Roy, love the way you think and how you do things.

[@OrdoCorvi]

He says, "So this is an old embroidery machine."

[@ggh_-ts6pn]

also the way they dye the fabric with indigo

[@paulinamayorga5134]

amo el denim ecuador.....hola

[@robertsan513]

megusta

[@vamshikrishna5338]

Super style

[@shiningyrlife]

One day, one day

[@Ciaran101able]

an old embroidery machine

[@w4r7]

baaayyy areeeeeeaaa

[@jackstar80]

Where can I order a pair?

[@maykajeans408]

Esta genial

[@AntonioAguilar-ys6bw]

Good job

[@19Locke91]

thank you

[@yessk561]

I love your job!!!Amazing!!!

[@michaelsutanto5269]

one-man show

[@nayelimorales3679]

awesomeee! ^-^

[@marcoantonior.g.6590]

que precio tienen

[@bandera001]

Alrededor de los $300-$350.Bastante exagerado para mi,no se usted.

[@ismailkherkheche2419]

hi I have a long experience in this field do you have a job for me??

[@_dh]

You can get raw japanese evisu from japan for 340 dollars, why would I buy your jeans?

[@TheJoe89jan]

This guy Roy is being cheap not hiring workers.

[@eg-g]

So romantic. Marry me Roy.