Stevenson Overall Company

[jaspar]

Forgive my impropriety, but has there been any discussion of this brand yet?

(I did forum search, which proved - typically - fruitless).

As some of you lament the death of jp. repro brands, I thought they'd be worth mentioning. I tried on a pair at HTC in LA and was very impressed.

[vivaloschet]

Duud, why don't you give us a picture or a link so that we can know wtf you are talking about?

[jaspar]

ha, sorry, I did a google search, and the majority of sites that appeared were japanese, such as:

http://madmedia.at.webry.info/200610/article_7.html

http://shop.yumetenpo.jp/goods/d/eggplantjp.com/g/so_06fw_006/index.shtml

Apparently Stevenson is a denim 'overall' brand dating back to 1920's LA, for which the owner of HTC has bought the licensing; and is now manufacturing in japan a few models of jeans under that name. The jeans pictured in the all of the jp. sites I saw were button fly, but the pair I tried on was a zip fly, one-wash, medium rise, with some repro details, but not a 'repro' style or fit; and really nice, rough, slubby, red-line selvedge. It felt about 13 oz.

[whodini]

Somehow missed this thread, but I, too, was impressed by these jeans. Great fit and texture although you can't really get that from looking at those photos. I think they were going for around 170 when I stopped by last month and would have gone for them if I hadn't found a pair of RB15s at south willard for practically free.

I'd still consider getting them because of their quality and that they're relatively limited.

[blm14]

Wow those look nice! I especially like the double-line selvage and the extra dark dye.

[horriblyjollyjinx]

isn't the owner of htc on this board?

[tweeds]

yes, glamroots is from HTC. maybe i'll go pm him to chime in here...

[jaspar]

Is glamroots the owner or just a manager?

Two weeks back I made the arduous (10 mi) trek to HTC in Santa Monica, where they had a few more models, designed after the '47 and '67(???..It was called 767) cut, in one wash and raw respectively. Despite their supposed inspirations, they didn't fit like straight repros however, better imo. Unfortunately, the smallest size was a (generous) 31, so they were too big for me...

[ZIPHTC]

Greetings,

Thank you very much for your interest and helpful feedback about my jeans collection.

The brand was formed in Indiana in the 1920's and went out of business during the Great Depression. I found out about it by accident while looking for another brand on eBay and decided to revive it since I share the same last name as the founders.

They are selling well in top stores in Japan and now I have introduced them in a limited way here in L.A. to work out any potential kinks before introducing them more widely in the U.S. Like you all, I am also a denim freak and I have spent thousands of dollars on single pairs of vintage jeans including late 30's Levi's and Late 40's Lee's etc. When I was given the opportunity to contribute to the "our community" I committed to making something that I could be proud of as it was "not about the money" luckily for me, the folks in Japan were receptive to it.

So upon close examination you will find extremely rare details like wire shank buttons and single stitch details as well as beautiful, very heavy weight ring/ring selveged Japanese denim. My goal was to make a clearly distinctive jean without making them in an exaggerated way (i.e. with lots of decorative back pocket stitching). The Japanese are amazing at replicating things and so when visiting Japan you can find many, many different brands of jeans that are basically exact copies of old Levi's (with a few added [removable] stitches) to get around trademark laws.

I have a great regard for the iconic American jean brands so I did not want to ''borrow'' from them in any way that would bring dishonor to them or my fledgling S.O.C. brand. I look forward to the opportunity to answer your questions and consider your imputs as i develop future jeans. Thanks again.

P.S. We are working a Leather boot and belts offering as well as cotton shirts and jackets etc. stay tuned.

P.S.S. another Japanese website featuring S.O.C.:

http://www.loftman.co.jp/B.D./notBbutB_061100.html

--

Respectfully,

Zip Stevenson

Creative Dir.

Hollywood Trading Company

4474 West Adams Blvd.

2nd Floor

Los Angeles, CA 90016

+1 323-732-4046 Office

+1 323-732-4009 Fax

[tweeds]

zip - interesting backstory

would be great if you could add some pictures to the thread, detail shots and etc

are those talon zippers you're using for the zip fly models?

welcome to superfuture!

[RockTheVote]

You go, Zip!!

[jaspar]

Hey Zip, have you made anything smaller than a 31? I've seen only as small as 31's in either of the HTC stores.

[sneakeraddict]

I really think SuFu's at its best when we get 'Denim Dons' like Zip coming on and talking about their product and fascination / dedication to the industry.

You can't tease us like that though! Tell us more about this historical brand, and are these Japanese versions exact replicas of the 1920s versions?

Also, you surely gotta have better pics (?)

Finally, am curious how one finds a pair of jeans on eBay and then can buy the rights to that name and end up repro-ing them in Japan?

Great work Zip.

You should use this thread to blatantly pimp your jeans, so an English language site would be great as well as size options and prices for SuFu

[YoungPunch]

Thanks for the info Zip! I'm interested in the leather boots you mentioned, keep us updated.

[ZIPHTC]

I am brand new and I do not know how to post photos etc. Scott knows the ropes, I will ask him. Thanks for the suggestion.

[ZIPHTC]

Actually yes, I blew it not bringing in smaller sizes. We are currently sold out @ our wherehouse in Japan with the smaller ones so I do not have immediate access. In our next round we will bring in the smaller sizes. Thank you very much for your interest.

[tweeds]

zip - you can look up http://imageshack.us/ for a host for your photos, then copy the link into this thread using the [ img ] tag.

[ZIPHTC]

For your information, (as I understand it) it could be like this: If a guy named Stevenson had a towing service in Indiana in the late 1920's called Stevenson Towing Services and goes out of business in the Depression and I accidently find out about it 70 years later (While living in L.A.) nobody would care or even guess that it might have existed. Also, Also, trademarks registrations must be maintained (Like CocaCola) over time. If the company went out of business they certainly had no reason to maintain it.

To answer your question about if they are exact replicas, they are not at all as I still have not seen an original garment or even a catalog. That said, over the years I have seen very small local overall brands that may have served a very small region and therefore did not have the sales to warrant an investment in branded buttons and woven labels etc.. All that they would have had are paper hangtags that would be removed before use. I believe that it is most likely the case with the original Stevenson overall brand in the absense of any facts to the contrary.

My back and coin pocket design is based on the curved shape of most front pockets. It seemed like a very elegant, natural shape and not so contrived but still distinctive. Thank you for your interest.

[Tarmac]

this is awesome

[dkatz]

Zip - are you planning on producing actual overalls at any point? I've been wondering when some super-premium denim-producer would put out a pair of raw overalls...!

[ZIPHTC]

Zip - are you planning on producing actual overalls at any point? I've been wondering when some super-premium denim-producer would put out a pair of raw overalls...!

I would love to! I am big fan of real overalls and I have a big collection of 1930's to 1950's ones them with reaaly interesting details that just don't show up on jeans. If there is enough definite interest I would do it. Thank you for the suggestion.

[ZIPHTC]

zip - you can look up http://imageshack.us/ for a host for your photos, then copy the link into this thread using the [ img ] tag.

Thanks for the help!

[ZIPHTC]

zip - interesting backstory

would be great if you could add some pictures to the thread, detail shots and etc

are those talon zippers you're using for the zip fly models?

welcome to superfuture!

Yes I was fortunate to be able find Talon Zippers for my boot cut jeans. I think I have added some details shots (fingers crossed).

[CityHunter]

Sorry to resurrect an 8-month-old thread, but I picked up my first pair of Stevensons and they would have to be one of my favorite pairs I have ever put on! Details like curved pockets and the talon zippers complete the package....great fit.

I just wanted to give ups to Stevenson and HTC (where I picked them up at)

Are they ever making a comeback/going to available elsewhere? I would love to get another pair in a different wash.

[ZIPHTC]

I picked up my first pair of Stevensons and they would have to be one of my favorite pairs I have ever put on! Details like curved pockets and the talon zippers complete the package....great fit.

I just wanted to give ups to Stevenson and HTC (where I picked them up at)

Are they ever making a comeback/going to available elsewhere? I would love to get another pair in a different wash.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you for the inquiry. The Stevenson Overall Brand is very much alive and well in Japan and sold in approximately 20 stores.

We recently changed the structure of the HTC store on Beverly and we anticipate carrying most of the complete SOC line there starting in January.

Respectfully,

Zip Stevenson

[gimmegimme]

Sorry to resurrect an 8-month-old thread, but I picked up my first pair of Stevensons and they would have to be one of my favorite pairs I have ever put on! Details like curved pockets and the talon zippers complete the package....great fit.

I just wanted to give ups to Stevenson and HTC (where I picked them up at)

Are they ever making a comeback/going to available elsewhere? I would love to get another pair in a different wash.

Pics please.

[andewhall]

Awesome Zip. love the details, 'specially the hand made lap seams on the seat. Do you have any more links? I just looked at the one Japanese site listed.

[CityHunter]

Pics please.

Wow. I was supposed to post pics nearly 2.5 years ago. Sorry! I was reminded because of Selectism's post about Stevenson:

http://www.selectism.com/news/2010/02/18/vegas-stevenson-overall-co/#more-34339

There are a couple more detailed shots on my blog:

http://hansboobie.tumblr.com/post/394860787/stevenson-overall-co

But here are some pics (older model, about 3 years ago)

[kiya]

HELLO THREAD, LET'S LIVE AGAIN.

Introducing Stevenson Overall Company - Height Of Perfection

Hailing from Hiroo (Tokyo, Japan) Stevenson was started by famed vintage collectors Zip Stevenson and Atsu Tagaya in 2005 with the intent to recreate vintage styles which were popular in America during the turn of the century.

The attention to detail of their garments is unsurpassed and every fabric they've used is woven for them by the best and oldest mills in Japan. From the wools on their accessories and jackets to the denim from which their jeans are made of to the natural dyed canvas for their shirts and jackets they've gone to great lengths to make sure that every fabric was made to fit their needs. They spend more time on fabric development than any other company we've encountered thus far.

All the garments are sewn on vintage sewing machines and all the canvas and denim shirts and jeans are single-needle stitched, something rarely seen on garments these days. The belt loops on their jeans are sewn by hand due to their shape and details, the buttons on their jackets and jeans are leather-backed, and their watch caps are woven with the finest silk yarn and dyed with natural indigo and plant based dyes.

Stevenson Upland Jean (717) - Slim

Stevenson Santa Rosa Jean (767) - Straight

Stevenson Saddle Horn Jacket - Brown Duck

[kiya]

Stevenson Saddle Horn Jacket - Indigo Duck

Stevenson Silk WWII Watch Caps