Collaborations and Releases with White’s, Dehen 1920, and Gitman Vintage
This week, we have a tangible story about how great manufacturing still thrives in the United States. We proudly assert that in our specialized field, the quality of design, materials, and overall product far surpasses that of vintage counterparts. Indeed, when comparing ordinary market goods from the 1950s to today, a significant decline in quality is evident, and we can delve into that discourse at any time. However, we are fortunate that the belief that nothing is as well made as it was years ago is false, as demonstrated by the apparel and footwear we provide.
The same trade policies that have fueled the massive industrialization of manufacturing to produce ever more, cheaper, and purposefully disposable goods have also enabled nations stronger in specific components, material production, and manufacturing categories to excel. In the spirit of Adam Smith, this has created a world with a profound ability to develop and access more distinct goods than the originals, by a large margin. There are still great things made in America, often enhanced when components sourced from other developed nations that responsibly produce raw materials, fabric, leather, and trims can be procured at costs kept lower by a more globally competitive and specialized marketplace.
In that vein, we have a release of collaborations with some of our closest American manufacturing brands, enhanced with materials from England and Japan that would be impossible without trade. A pack of White’s features limited batch UK tanned C.F. Stead leathers, a curation of Portland-crafted Dehen 1920 garments showcases English archival Fox Brother’s cloth and Japanese Sashiko cloth, and a series of Gitman Vintage shirts, made with exclusive fabrics from Japan and Portugal, enhance one of the last remaining American-made staple shirts even further.
White’s x Division Road
Nothing is more classic than a White’s build fashioned with a Division Road eye, hand-sewn welted in Spokane using Horween leather. Although, in our work and communication with Charles F. Stead, we discovered some of our favorite articles produced to perfection in limited-batch dye lots. We take any opportunity to utilize hyper-durable and refined hides from England’s best tannery for White’s, presenting an elevated version of some of the most dutiful footwear in the world. C.F. Stead is the finest tannery in the United Kingdom, specializing in aniline-dyed combination tanned recipes using special oils paired with unique waxed, nubucked, brushed, and sanded finishing on grain and flesh side leather of extreme quality.
The Buckingham, Classic Oiled Shoulder, and Rambler use hand-selected steer hides with recipes that result in very different leathers that are as durable as they are unique. In hyper-small, limited leather lots from CF Stead, we collaborated with White’s to produce small editions of 15 for make-ups that embody a unique persona. In the MP Last, which comes in our standard accommodating E width, two MPM1s in corresponding specifications yield a sleek, cosmopolitan Urban Brown Buckingham make-up and a casual Caramel Oiled Shoulder foundation for ranch duty in style. To complete a series that caters to those seeking patina glory in an everyday collectible, a versatile LTT Cutter 350 comes in a Bronze Brown Rambler.
Dehen 1920 x Division Road
Working closely with producers like Dehen since our founding is why we do what we do. These collaborations represent our approach to sourcing and design, and our roster of exclusive patterns and collectibles with Dehen 1920 is extensive. As a premium example, we are pleased to debut the Harrison Jacket collaboration, crafted with Fox Brothers® Harvest Houndstooth Check Twill. This limited batch cloth, re-loomed from the archives for Division Road, features 100% British Lambswool, representing one of the most refined and durable fabrics available. Based on the Winston design, the Harrison Jacket elegantly bridges vintage pilot bombers and gentleman’s dress-casual outerwear, showcasing a 60s-70s aesthetic with a refined drape, finish, and unmatched durability.
For another Dehen 1920 by Division Road knitwear special, produced on vintage machines from the 50s and 60s, the Casual Cardigan makes a soon-to-be trademark cool-style impression. Based on the new Slouchy Cardigan, we made several modifications while retaining the original idea. We added length and adjusted the body for our signature three-end knit weight, which maintains the resilient nature of Dehen’s worsted wool knitting while providing more comfort, flexibility, and layering potential. We further enhanced the design with some revisions to the flat collar and button spacing and added a patch pocket to give a fresh vision of that 80s-90s thrifted sweater vibe. Finally, we present the Weekender Jacket, which features a simple and clean design to best reflect a sophisticated fabric with a rich history that can only be achieved to this level of perfection in Japan. This jacket has minimal detailing, allowing the Indigo Sashiko Cloth, woven with thick dyed yarns, to develop a dramatically textured patina.
Gitman Vintage x Division Road
From the Pennsylvania shirting maker, we present all-season staples that serve as trademark base layers for ensembles ranging from classic to modern. Inspired by the archives, Gitman continues its program of collaborating closely with mills in Japan and beyond to recreate exclusive fabrics that are improved versions of the iconic pieces from the past. The Archive Dishtowel Check is a warm-weather appropriate oxford-style box-weave cloth, featuring dyed yarns for a woven pattern reminiscent of home goods, making it an authentically comforting staple.
With our exclusive neck sizing program and shortened 2.5” button-down collar, we offer a set of Cambridge Oxfords via Division Road, featuring improved reproductions of the 1978 Gitman original. Additionally, whether for outdoor activities or paired with tailored pieces for more formal settings, the Blue Waffle Dobby Camper utilizes Japanese sashiko-style jacquard loomed cloth, perfectly matched to our custom shirt pattern. It includes a concealed button-down collar, dual chest pockets, and a classic fit with dual shoulder pleats.
