Using Modern Technology to Recreate 70 Years of History

The rarity of Dry Ace Selvage lies in its faithful recreation of a denim fabric from the 1950s. This is not a simple reuse of old cloth—it requires precise scientific reverse engineering and analysis of the original yarn’s production, dyeing process, and structural characteristics.

This vintage fabric was originally discovered at a secondhand market, heavily faded from age and wear. Through modern reconstruction, we now see the original fabric reborn, giving us the feeling of time travel. Nudie is proud to present this vintage denim revival to the world, with tremendous thanks to Shinya Fabric Mill in Japan for their exceptional technical expertise. This 14.2 oz denim features a vintage-grade pink selvedge and an extremely rare indigo-dyed pocket bag, both of which will gradually fade into lighter hues over time.

Dry Ace Selvage is a beautifully rigid, 14.2 oz red-dyed denim woven by the legendary Shinya Mills in Okayama, Japan. Its warp yarns are dyed with 20 dips of pure indigo, resulting in a rich, deep indigo shade with a subtle reddish cast. The naturally thick yarns, woven under low tension, create a textured, three-dimensional uneven surface—an intentional pursuit of “imperfection within perfection.”

Shinya Mills meticulously analyzed a distressed pair of 1950s vintage jeans to recreate Dry Ace Selvage. Imagine reverse-engineering raw denim from a pair that has been worn, faded, washed, torn, and aged for decades—that is the extraordinary craftsmanship behind this fabric.

The unique character of Ace of Spades selvedge arises from its thick irregular yarns, heavy indigo saturation, and low-tension weaving. These elements produce rugged vertical falling, rapid surface fading, and a beautifully weathered look. Upon washing, the yarns shift slightly, creating a vintage crosshatch pattern with a salt-and-pepper grain. Due to the high surface saturation of indigo, the dye first penetrates the white weft during washing, enriching the overall tone. With repeated washes, the denim evolves into a brighter blue while preserving darker shades in seams and folds—producing dramatic contrasts. This exceptional aging behavior makes Ace of Spades one of the finest Japanese selvedge fabrics Nudie has ever used.

This marks only the beginning of Steady Eddie Dry Ace Selvage. While the dry version already showcases stunning color and texture, its true beauty emerges after wear and washing. The red-dyed construction yields a vibrant blue fade; the uneven yarn structure produces a grainy salt-and-pepper character; and the most heavily worn areas develop a distinctive diagonal fade. It’s no surprise this Ace of Spades denim lives up to its name. Now, let’s take a closer look at the mighty Steady Eddie Dry Ace Selvage.

*Limited quantity in designated stores worldwide, while stocks last.
*Pictures 4, 5, 6, and 7 show examples of fading.

Details

• Organic cotton
• 14.2 oz Japanese rigid pink selvedge denim
• Indigo back pocket embroidery
• Tobacco-colored stitching throughout
• Antique silver hardware
• Zipper fly
• Jacron eco-friendly paper patch
• Medium fit
• Mid-rise
• Tapered shape—roomy at the top and narrower toward the hem
• Slim leg opening
• 100% cotton
• Made in Italy