Kiko Kostadinov Does Denim as Art
There is denim, and then there is Kiko Kostadinov denim. As with all things the Bulgarian fashion designer touches, whether it be baseball caps or meaty dad shoes, Kostadinov’s approach to denim is art as fashion. And in the case of his limited-edition in-line denim line, that description feels pretty literal.
Kostadinov's debut Levi’s collaboration, released in 2024, was marked by fluffy fur emerging from overdyed denim and unexpected paneling — in one case, a jacket wore itself as a vest.
But Kiko Kostadinov’s most recent stab at the Canadian tux is all-new.
This new line is produced by “one of the world’s most advanced denim manufacturers” in Hiroshima, according to Kostadinov.
The cotton denim fabric is made with traditional time-consuming techniques like hand-dyeing and individually calibrated washes that create dynamic worn-in looks without affecting the fabric’s integrity.
It’s the kind of patiently purposeful construction that demonstrates why Japanese denim is the best in the world (and is more than merely raw selvedge jeans).
Beyond the superior craftsmanship, though, Kostadinov's new denim is further demarcated by some quintessential Kostadinov design detailing.
The rear of a roomy carpenter jean, for instance, presents a complex conceit of curved fabric panels and darts that reshape conventional hammer loops and pockets. Its accompanying jacket has similarly clever details afforded by anatomical seaming, like a tiny pocket disguised in the sleeve.
Not your grandpa's denim suit, to say the least.
This leveled-up denim two-piece will be released in a “dune wash” color on Kiko Kostadinov’s website on May 30 while a darker “phantom wash” colorway will be released later this summer. The following day, it’ll be available from the brand’s Tokyo and Los Angeles flagship stores.
But like any piece of art, there isn’t much to go around. Only 90 editions of Kostadinov's individual denim items will ever be made.
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