Denim has widely conquered the hearts and closets of consumers over the world regardless of their age, gender, and professions. In an interview with the team from TENCEL™Denim, John Michael Arcella, a graphic designer and denim aficionado, shares his views on the budding trend in fashion – sustainable denim.

Is sustainable denim a gimmick or a pressing need? One may not be aware that the 1,800 gallons of water, equal to 12,730 500-ml bottles of water, are used in producing just one pair of jeans. With much untreated water which contains chemicals and dye flowing back to oceans and waterways, the production of denim is causing a huge impact to the environment and ecosystem.

Thankfully, the denim industry is changing towards a more sustainable model, as Arcella shared in the interview. “Some mills and brands started to adopt new processes and techniques to reduce water usage and chemical wastes in denim production,” he added. Recently, big fashion brands, such as Converse and Volcom, have also launched their sustainable denim collections.

Apart from buying sustainable denim items, Arcella believes that “give them (clothes) a second and third life” is the most sustainable thing consumers can do. This is also the idea behind his collection of snazzy denim on Instagram @thedailychore, where he brings his vintage denim archive alive by sleek, striking and stylized visuals.

For fellow denim heads to keep up with the sustainable denim trends, here is Arcella’s must-read list: websites such as Carved in Blue, Denim Days Festival and Kingpins Show and magazines like Monocle and Sourcing Journal. @simplysuzette and @colour_me_lovely on Instagram are also topping Arcella’s reading list. Do check out his recommendations and explore the sustainable denim vogue!