HOMETOWN HOMAGE

As it turned out Cone Denim had other plans for the White Oak Plant and shut down operations there in early 2018 after a closure announcement the previous Fall. They sold the building and its contents, clearing the legendary wooden floors of the White Oak plant and ended a 113 year span of weaving quality American-made selvage denim. Well, that sure threw a wrench into the plans and I sourced as much fabric from White Oak as I could afford to keep the dream alive. Unfortunately, that yardage only goes so far and I made the final productions with the 1968 selvage, forever coined our Heritage Originals collections, in mid 2020. Now what’s a guy to do?

In Late 2021, I became privy to something beautiful that was taking place right under our indigo-sniffing noses. Two of the Draper X3 shuttle looms were actually still at the White Oak Plant and some fine folk had created a non-profit to preserve its legacy, WOLF (White Oak Legacy Foundation). What’s a better way to preserve such timeless machines but to operate and to maintain them. And so they did, and so they are, and Proximity Manufacturing was founded in 2021, carrying on a legacy of excellence in denim production at the White Oak Plant for its third consecutive century.

Early 2022 I reached out to Proximity to see if they would be interested in partnering with us and weaving some denim for this little operation of ours. With some initial hesitations, I kept pressing and with persistence, Evan and the team welcomed STS as a select brand partner to produce some beautiful work cloth for, that would once again be woven on the floors of the White Oak Plant.

Last August, Proximity began weaving production yardage of a Stock Tank Supply proprietary selvedge denim. A 12.2 oz Loomstate denim, 3x1 Broken Twill, with a Canyon Blue Warp, a beautiful Royal “R’Oil Country” Blue Weft and finished with a classic Red Line selvedge ID. Truly incredible fabric and nothing like I’ve seen before.

That brings us to today, a new day. A day where we can look ahead and begin the next chapter. One to pay respect to our forebearers, one to show honor to such a storied American icon, and one to articulate that very homage into new garments giving a nod to those who’ve paved the way before us.

THE PATTERNS | EDMONTON, ALBERTA

Some call it the Gateway to the North, others may call it the City of Champions. Many claim it as Oil Country and a proud part of Treaty 6 Territory. A blue collar city, built upon the fur trade, real estate, manufacturing, refining and servicing the Northern half of Alberta. However, often forgotten or somehow not known at at all, Edmonton also has deep roots in garment manufacturing, the denim industry and was the home to a legendary Canadian made brand, the Great Western Garment Company, also known as GWG.

Operations began in 1911 in downtown Edmonton and spanned almost 100 years before eventually closing down the plant in 2004. Although GWG was acquired by the denim giant Levi’s in 1961, the brand remained its own entity and with it, continued production of its wears. During its time, the company focused on Union Made workwear garments fit for those serving duty abroad, the labour force servicing miners, oil and gas workers, & railworkers, as well as the ranchers and farmers of the west. They made quality goods, with quality materials and built garments that stood the test of time, while standing proud with their slogan “They wear longer, because they’re made stronger.” 

As the true denim head I am and an advocate always ready to support my hometown, I wanted to create something reminiscent of this sometimes forgotten legend. Pay my respects to the work put in before me and lay the foundation as to what can lay ahead.

THE GARMENTS | LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

With that, I’d like to introduce the first garments of our Hometown Homage collection. A two piece ensemble consisting of a 6 pocket trouser and a rugged waist coat, better known in the Great White North as a Canadian Tuxedo. Both pieces are partial reproductions of 1960s-70s GWG Cowboy Kings garments and were made with our own proprietary denim from Proximity Manufacturing made proudly right here in the City of Angels.

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We put a lot of time, effort and love into creating these works and we can only hope that you are as proud of this collection as we are. Thank you for your patronage.