I learned about Gustin from Put This On, the most literate and thoughtful style website this side of the Pacific Ocean. Gustin employs a zero-waste, direct-to-consumer business model (much like Everlane) that cuts out the middle man. What makes Gustin unique (or relatively unique) is its crowdsourcing business model: they don’t make any product without appropriate funding.
In Gustin’s own words:
So how does it work? We design boutique-quality handmade menswear. We create a campaign for an item, you back it. Once the number of items backed reaches the campaign goal, the item is successfully funded and we start production.
When do I pay? When you hit “Back it!”, you’re not paying immediately. We’ll validate your credit card number initially, and charge you when the item reaches its funding goal. If the item reaches its funding deadline without reaching its goal, you will not be charged.
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Gustin is known for their raw, selvedge denim jeans, but they make plenty of other products, including chinos, jackets, and bags. I have yet to back a project (honestly, I’ve been discouraged by the complaints on Style Forum), but I’ve followed the brand for a year, and I’ve really enjoyed looking at their unique fabrics.
I would’ve backed the Japan Azure (below), but it was funded within an hour! In any case, I’ve posted a few of my favorite fabrics below. If you’re looking a unique variety of colors and
textures, Gustin is your place.
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| Postal Herringbone: an Italian raw selvedge denim |
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| An indigo plant dye chambray shirt fabric from Japan |
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| A Japanese double indigo fabric for a dobby shirt. The swaths reveal how the shirt wears. |
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| A peach blue plaid cotton poplin shirt fabric from Japan |
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| The Japan Azure: For me, this color evokes the vintage blues of JAWS (below). I love it. |
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| At least five blues here |