Photo Courtesy of Raleigh Denim
What started as a hobby for Raleigh couple, Sarah and Victor Lytvinenko, has quickly escalated into a booming business. Providing the innovation behind Raleigh Denim, a handmade premier menswear line, the pair use vintage equipment to create absolute one-of-a-kind denim.
Wishing to break out of the norm of traditional luxury denim and stay true to their roots, both felt that, "North Carolina has a rich textile history. It used to be the heartbeat of the denim industry, and there are all sorts of weaving and manufacturing here. We don't feel like we have to go to New York to be fashionable; being here is special and different."
However, the business has expanded much further than the humble Carolina origins; it is now carried by Barneys New York and 15 boutiques across the country.
Originally started after Sarah began designing women's dresses and tops, Victor decided to merge into the world of menswear citing, "I wear jeans. I want to make jeans." The pair hopes to expand to men's shirts, light jackets and leather goods in the future. The first expansion of the line however, will include their first batch of women's jeans to debut this spring with more styles to follow in fall.
The workshop may be visited in downtown Raleigh, Tuesday-Sunday at 319 W. Martin Street, 12 p.m.-6 p.m. A complete list of retailers may be viewed online or in-store at participating Barney’s New York.
Raleigh Denim Workshop + Curatory Denim Workshop
319 W. Martin St.
Raleigh, NC 27601
919.917.8969
