I Finally Found My Grail Denim Jacket! The Atelier la Durance Royal Jacket.

Instagram: @cee.are.dee
Twitter: @ropedye
Facebook: ropedye/
Web: www.ceearedee.com
Getting this jacket would not have been possible without the help of the wonderful Nina. She’s a denimhead through and through. Head over to her Instagram and give her a follow. She has way more style and flair than me ;) She also has way more jeans than all of us combined.
ninazurhaar
For whatever reason, there are some incredible denim brands that we’ve lost over the years. Atelier LaDurance is just such a brand.
It was one of the OGs of the raw denim revival in Europe and must have been one of the first European raw denim brands. ADL got its start in 2002 and ran for a decade. The last collection being seen around 2012 or 2013. To be honest, I am unsure of what happened to the brand. Over the 10 years it existed, it had some hardcore fans. But it also had a very “you love it or you hate it” vibe about it. And I will be honest when I first saw it. I hated it!
2012 was around the time I was just getting into this raw denim thing. I saw their jeans, jackets and accessories in the 14oz store way back then. I just didn’t get it. It was too much. Too much bling, too many details, too much going on. But the simple fact was, I didn't understand what Gerard Backx, the founder of Atelier LaDurance was creating.
The pieces pulled on so many references to denim history, workwear and a little french culture thrown in there for good measure. All this with a healthy dose of flair and contemporary thinking towards denim. But at the heart of the Atelier LaDurance pieces were their fades. These things were made to fade.
All the blingy details that first turned me off to the brand tone down and bed in as the garment is worn. The hidden cross detailing on the pockets reveal themselves as the denim sheds its indigo. The gold hardware becomes much more in keeping and much less stark against the lighter denim. Mr Backx understood how denim fades and built his collection around this.
Over the years the brand always stuck in my mind. I have seen a number of examples over the years but they are rare and getting rarer, especially the jackets.
To find one in this condition (almost brand spanking new) is incredible. Getting this jacket has been a long term ambition of mine. Diving into the details hands-on was a total treat!

[@bengleeson123]

Thanks for sharing this piece of sartorial history. That's a stunning jacket. Wear it well, brother.

[@CeeAreDee]

You bet! I am wearing it like a shirt since I got it 😂... never off my back. Really can't wait to see the pocket fades coming in.

[@franzdoreza5230]

That’s beautiful, great tailoring, craftsmanship materials… Good design, and like you said it has references from the Levi’s, etc. I think my favorite or one of my holy Grail jackets is just to get a Lee rider and Storm jacket that is faded perfectly… Worn out faded, distressed… Light blue not white… And then it fits perfectly and the material is so soft over 40 years of wear and tear… There are also a number of Japanese jackets I like even a diesel and G star jacket that I really like… Also I love the distressed Polo corduroy jacket that has a little stretch.. It’s designed after the Lee rider which is still such a beautiful and classic design..cheers ., love your new holy grail 👍🏼

[@matlindell5022]

I have got exactly the same.Definitely the best denim jacket ever made.Quality is outstanding.🤩😍👍

[@snapcult464]

I have two of their belts and have worn them daily for fifteen years. Sooooo amazing. Great jacket.

[@kjdewolff]

Same here, still in very good condition after so many years of daily wear :-)

[@Tiger24kicks]

That jacket is beautiful ❤️ I'm not gonna lie, that brand did some good work. It looks old school and classic.

[@CeeAreDee]

I totally agree! The pushed the envelope!

[@EbonyBladeXX.mp3]

What a beautiful piece!

[@johnmellor7540]

I have the Classic Jumper version, slightly lighter denim bought new from Selfridges about 15 years ago or so....I don't wear it enough, it came with a sawing kit in aluminium tube. The jeans were over the top but the jackets are works of art. You have inspired me to wear mine more...it is still unwashed from new I have worn it so few times. Try and find the duffle bag they made and the belts are beautiful. Classic case of being too ahead of their time. Johnny

[@CeeAreDee]

Hey Johnny. They were ahead of their time. You are right. I found the suit bag they did on the Dutch version of eBay but the guy wanted a crazy price for it so I could not justify that much. I would love to see pic of the jacke tho and yeah, get out there and wear it ;)

[@kbrett2004]

Beautiful piece!

[@CeeAreDee]

Thank you! Cheers, Brett! I am over the mood with it :)

[@shovethedove]

is that big ring youve got from fine light trading? if so, i lusted after those for ages but never acquired one. fantastic pieces.

[@CeeAreDee]

It is indeed, both the big ones are. I love them. So sad they are not made anymore.

[@bobzuidema3560]

OMFG, how sweet is that...!! I tried a pair of jeans so many years ago unfortunately did not buy it.... :-( all I have now is a RAD belt...

[@CeeAreDee]

Yeah, I am in the same boat. I am always on the lookout though. The belts were beautiful, which one do you have, the double prong?

[@bobzuidema3560]

CeeAreDee / Rope Dye yeah, double prong, leather crosses and a chainloop attachment for your wallet. So all the gimmicks and xtras ALD is famous for are present even on their belts haha...

[@rangerscoach]

I’d love an update on this jacket if you have some fades just because of how prominent the stitching should be as it gets lighter

[@CeeAreDee]

In the end it was a bit tight for me. And it’s on the shelf in the permanent collection.

[@JordanLeden]

How many denim jackets do you own? I am on my first Levi’s III. So far it’s great and fades are beginning nicely after three months daily wear

[@CeeAreDee]

Haha. Way too many. Over 10 I guess.

[@Joe-kk9hv]

@cee.are.dee why do you think this is type 2 more than pre type 1 blouse?

[@rustycowboy8275]

Hey what kind of shirt are you wearing in this video? I’ve been looking for a similar shirt but I don’t know where to look. Thanks!

[@CeeAreDee]

It is a military surplus shirt that some hippy company bought up and put their on label in. I ended up finding it for next to nothing in a sale... one of my fav finds! Look at the HBT shirts from 3sixteen tho. They have something similar.

[@callumpage7798]

Love the jacket, looks great!. Talking of garish brands you reminded me of a pair of jeans I once bought. I remember them being pretty expensive initially and I got them in the sale.. From Sakis in Sheffield probably 15 years ago. They came in a paint tin with a stuffed Chinese’s animal. Maybe it was year of the pig or something. Plenty of gold stitching but beautifully made. No idea where they are now. Any ideas on the brand?

[@CeeAreDee]

Haha, perhaps garish was the wrong word for it... One of my mates told me that True Religion are garish, ADL is particular 😂. HE WAS RIGHT! But jeans in a paint tin with a stuffed Chinese’s animal... Hmmm, nope... can't say that rings a bell. I will have a poke around the web, I am sure someone remembers.

[@callumpage7798]

CeeAreDee / Rope Dye I did some digging and they might have been red monkey jeans?. Was that same era.. when lock down is over I’ll call the store and see if they remember haha. If I ever find out I’ll let you know!

[@W33K3NDMU51C]

Sounds like something Evisu would have done. Saki's use to sell plenty of Evisu items too.

[@josemendez8894]

I wonder if I can ever find one in a size small

[@TsunogaKidz_YMD]

excellent jacket, overbuilt on purpose. That pocket lining and stich is really great detail. Is there any brand that still does that stich on the pocket? Kinda interested in trying this type out, but aiming for this exact brand might be a lil bit difficult to find now

[@CeeAreDee]

They are out there still. Hunt around eBay. The Dutch eBay is best.

[@TsunogaKidz_YMD]

@@CeeAreDee i tried the ebay yesterday but no luck so far. Best option might be to find a local brand that can take MTO service lol

[@CeeAreDee]

@@TsunogaKidz_YMD if you want detailed pics of mine let me know. I’d love to see what someone can make.

[@TsunogaKidz_YMD]

@@CeeAreDee that would be lovely, thank youu! i just screenshot a couple pict from this vid, but some area is still not shown yet, need the back, and inside pict of the jacket. Gonna dm u on instagram, is that ok?

[@chawenhalo0089]

Thanks to you I just had to go and find one. Could you help me identify which model it is please? Can't find any info on the model and it has no model label.

[@CeeAreDee]

It is the Royal Jacket. Hard to find these days. Hope you have some luck.

[@chawenhalo0089]

@@CeeAreDee Well I got "my" perfect Ladurance one a little while back. But no idea what it is. It's 14oz, bicker style. One chest pocket, 2 side angled small pockets. No lining and with folds in the back shoulders for arm movement. Its also got a couple of thick black elastics on the inside back (presumably to hang a back protector). No mention of the model. It fits me like a glove but Can't find any info. HELP.

[@atticustay1]

What shirt are you wearing?

[@willecrook9544]

That is one great denim jacket man!

[@CeeAreDee]

Thanks Wille, yeah, really stocked with it.

[@daveystrange]

That is a beautiful jacket.

[@edprince9079]

Where is their clothing and jackets made?

[@tuchaweesonthirati9170]

Piece of art !

[@CeeAreDee]

Super nice right!

[@MNEMBS]

For me - that a kick ass jacket (: I remember then you upladed this video. Have you worn it enough to get some patina? Dnd how does it look today?? Mikkel.

[@CeeAreDee]

I haven’t sadly. Keep reaching for my type 3. And also. It’s a little tight.

[@MNEMBS]

@@CeeAreDee Hmm. If one just could wear 5 pieces a time. (:

[@Paddythefriendlykiwi]

Hey man. How is this going a year on? Did it get much wear?

[@CeeAreDee]

Not really... I always reach for my Denime and I have too many jackets anyway. I think this is going to be a collectors piece for the foreseeable.

[@MK_337]

I had a pair of their wide leg jeans over 20 years ago and sold them when everything went skinny fits. I regret it.

[@showkatkhan8461]

hi like your video, I am from London, could you please tell me where i can find the jacket, thank you

[@CeeAreDee]

This exact one... hmm, hard, the brand has been out of business for a few years. Ebay would be your best bet.

[@brucetheukuleleteacher9008]

I love your cap! Can I ask what brand and where you got it?

[@CeeAreDee]

Hey Bruce. It is from the french workwear brand Vetra. I love it! Comes in a variety of different fabrics and colours.

[@yousefgeorge3060]

WHAT WATCH DO YOU WEAR!!

[@akademiks21]

@@yousefgeorge3060 looks like a Seiko samurai in black

[@simia85]

@@CeeAreDee must be out of production? I really want a black cap like yours but unable to find one from the US 😫

[@CeeAreDee]

@@yousefgeorge3060 it’s a Steinhart ocean one Vintage

[@giammiz77]

What shoes are you wearing in the intro? Ciao

[@CeeAreDee]

Those are a pair of Clarks nat veg tanned desert boots. Perfect summer shoes!

[@farrellcityking1]

I need the whole suit

[@tommyafrica]

Please make an update video about this jacket

[@CeeAreDee]

Honestly, not work it at all. It’s just too tight. Post corona x dad bod. It’s hard.

[@renaldomariano8612]

@@CeeAreDee What size is the jacket? And how tall are you? I was nostalgia google searching as I used to own a few of their jeans back in the day. Might pick up a jacket somewhere but I'm unsure about the sizing.

[@brandong1246]

Did you soak the jacket before wearing it a lot?

[@CeeAreDee]

Nope. But to be honest I really should.

[@brandong1246]

@@CeeAreDee do you soak your other jackets before wear?

[@user-nl2rl1ex5c]

@@CeeAreDee ....лучше не делай этого! Мне показалось, что куртка тебе мала в груди!

[@99problemsbutafishaintone35]

Nice video of upside down shots. Still have no idea what the jacket even looks like.

[@CeeAreDee]

Easy fix. Just flip your phone or screen 180. You’re welcome.

[@tonymontana8139]

How much does it cost?

[@CeeAreDee]

I think I paid 150 for it. A price for that jacket.

[@brianagee2790]

How's this jacket developing?

[@CeeAreDee]

It’s unfortunately sitting on the shelf in the permanent collection. It was just a bit too tight.

[@georgia658]

Needs to be worn with a dark denim bow tie

[@rikvancoolwijk9579]

So good!! I love ALD!! Awesome you are a fan to!! Regards Rik @rikslvdg

[@CeeAreDee]

Hey Rik, I see you have a couple of pieces yourself. That jacket is fading beautifully!

[@rikvancoolwijk9579]

@@CeeAreDee I to have been on the lookout for that jacket for about two years 😝

[@aclacgnom1266]

😊🤗😘🤘

[@dpatrick1a]

Gingham Check

[@CeeAreDee]

Check! ;)

[@morgone8675]

You really didn’t flip the camera? It’s upside down this whole video

[@CeeAreDee]

Ahh, see. I did this for my loyal subscribers in the southern hemisphere. I figured I'd be fair and have a have some of the shots upside down. If it bothers you. Here is a quick hack. Just turn your screen through 180 degrees when the image is flipped. Easy. :)

[@morgone8675]

CeeAreDee / Rope Dye I live in Australia. That doesn’t even make sense. And yeah let me just flip my tv monitor upside down

[@ruebenwilson6325]

Lose the bandana and hat.

[@CeeAreDee]

Nah, I like my bandana and hat.