Our feature today is because we have received so many inquiries about PRPS jeans – and you might not like it. But we are here to talk about denim in any way and in all matters.
That includes also calling out to denim brands for what our readers – their customers – expect from them.
Most of you denim lovers out there are probably familiar with PRPS Jeans. A cult brand, even, during their high moments.
PRPS began as a pioneering force in luxury Japanese denim. Meticulously crafted, highly sought-after, and trendsetting. Founded in 2002 in New York by Donwan Harrell, a former designer at Nike, Donna Karan, and Akademiks.
The brand’s name – PRPS – stands for purpose, symbolizing jeans which reflect the wearer’s story through authentic wear, distressing, and craftsmanship.
PRPS made its mark by offering high end Japanese denim, crafted on vintage looms, often using Zimbabwean cotton which is part of a resurgence in traditional selvedge denim. They became especially well known for their trademark folded back pocket, purple selvage ID, and uniquely colored button-fly buttons.
And about the folded back pocket, PRPS’s signature detail: Pocket edges fold inward, giving the pockets a refined, sculptural appearance. A rare touch for both form and function.
Harrell personally developed each worn-in wash, often traveling to Japan, China, or Portugal to ensure the manual distressing process which gave each pair its own character.
PRPS followers especially appreciated the brand’s limited editions of luxe raw denim fits named after vintage cars like Rambler and Barracuda.
But – and that’s the sad part – once sold….
Following Donwan Harrell’s departure in 2018, the brand reportedly began to lose its unique identity and creative direction. PRPS became fashion-focused and the once authentic washes became a faux-distressed thing. Today PRPS is a fashion label rather than a heritage workwear innovator.
But the good news is that there are still original vintage PRPS jeans to be found out there. You can check out some options here and here.
1 Comment
I remember being told about PRPS years ago & was told Fabulous, yes the rapper, had something to do with this brand. Never knew if that was true or not but that’s not the point.
The point is there denim was and is amazing at least the pieces that I have gotten right around 2019 just pre-covid era. There were acid & stone washed styles and were always very detailed with fish scale designs, Japanese landscape stripes, etc, and a lot of work went into him. I had no idea that Academics was involved but I can definitely see their stylized pedigree interjected into the other designers’ work. It’s really cool to learn about how they went around the world looking for specific types of cotton. Great article BTW!
What really hurts is the PRPS brand has turned into an almost copy of what a lotta brands nowadays are doing; it’s just another brand with demonic and witchcraft stylized names with demonic, literally names of demons, put on their clothing and it’s almost like the nicer the piece the nastier the demon’s name.
But I regress.
I just hope that they don’t become a macy’s, JCPenney bought sold out brand just like lifted research group, and so many others like them have fallen into that trap house of once luxury but no more.
Thank you to anybody that adds to this thread and thank you for letting me and taking the time to share my thoughts ✌️