Jeansland Podcast

What happens when two street market dealers turn a love of vintage into one of the most respected fashion archives in the world? In this episode, Andrew Olah sits down with Doug Gunn and Roy Luckett, the co-founders of The Vintage Showroom, a London-based archive and consultancy that has quietly shaped the way global fashion houses think, shop, and design. From rainy mornings at Portobello Market...

What happens when the system collapses, and you decide to build something meaningful with your hands?  In this episode of Jeansland, Andrew sits down with Pete Roberts, founder of Origin, the American brand making jeans, boots, and apparel entirely on U.S. soil. After the 2008 recession upended his life and wiped out his business, Pete was left with a timber-frame cabin in the woods of Maine, two...

In this powerful two-part conversation, Andrew Olah welcomes back Umer Farooq Qureshi for a deep dive into the structural imbalances plaguing the denim supply chain. Framed by the enduring legacy of colonial capitalism, the discussion explores how suppliers have been conditioned to act like beggars in pursuit of orders — and how that mindset must shift. Together, they challenge conventional wisdom...

In this powerful two-part conversation, Andrew Olah welcomes back Umer Farooq Qureshi for a deep dive into the structural imbalances plaguing the denim supply chain. Framed by the enduring legacy of colonial capitalism, the discussion explores how suppliers have been conditioned to act like beggars in pursuit of orders — and how that mindset must shift. Together, they challenge conventional wisdom...

What if sustainability wasn’t a competitive edge — but the baseline for the entire denim industry? Andrew sits down with sustainability expert Roian Atwood to unpack the urgent challenges and overlooked opportunities shaping denim’s future. Roian is a seasoned business leader and sustainability practitioner who’s spent over two decades improving the social and environmental performance of products...

Designer and brand consultant Johnny Diamandis joins Andrew Olah to explore what it truly takes to build a fashion brand today. With a globally successful track record designing menswear, accessories, and more for brands like Evisu, Burberry London, Nike, Fake London, and CAT Footwear, Johnny shares candid insights from both industry and academia. The conversation covers the financial realities of...

In this episode, cotton expert Tim North discusses global cotton production, trade dynamics, and government support programs in key countries like the U.S., India, China, and Pakistan. He highlights how subsidies distort markets, why some traditional exporters have become importers, and the challenges facing producers. The conversation also covers the rise of regenerative and traceable cotton as s...

Andrew and Umer Farooq Qureshi pull back the denim curtain to reveal Levi’s jaw-dropping 62% margin is built on supplier suffering. From closed-door biddings to so-called partnerships, from collapsing currencies to cotton politics, this episode shows exactly how the kings (brands) are bleeding the commoners (factories) dry, and what happens when the commoners stop playing nice. This isn’t just a t...

In this solo episode, Andrew returns from a whirlwind week—first as a guest at the Kingpin Show in Amsterdam, his first time attending since selling the business, and then at a high-level diplomatic event in Washington, D.C.—to share unfiltered reflections on industry dynamics, global economic shifts, and the rising impact of U.S. tariffs. From the importance of venue vibes to why group negotiatio...

This edition covers ground close to my heart because it's about discovery, it's about feeling, and about the heart in business. I get to talk to Peter Caplowe, who was not in the jeans business in 1994 but went to Japan, discovered Evis, or Evisu, the Japanese brand that had a domestic cult following, super expensive 1940s Levi replications with hand painted back pockets, that Mr. Yamane...

Anatt Finkler, an enthusiastic member of the denim industry from Mexico who finds joy not just from her work but in education and sustainability. Learn more about Anatt’s professional journey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatt-f-70229181/ Please follow us on: Instagram , Facebook , and LinkedIn . 

Ethical Denim Council is a non-profit organization whose sole mission is to help create order sanctity. Simply put, we want an agreement from buyers that place orders to simply agree to carry out their commitments, just as they expect the supplier to carry out theirs. Seems simple enough, but it’s not part of our industry. YET. Sharmon Lebby – Project Manager, Ethical Denim Council Chana Rosenthal...

Bob Antoshak calls himself  an Industry Strategist and Policy Expert. I call him an experienced, industry professional having spent chunks of his life on trade policy, cotton marketing, consultancy, and sourcing. Bob’s been where must people never get to. Bob's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rantoshak/ Please follow us on: Instagram , Facebook , and LinkedIn . 

Adriano Goldschmied is an example for anyone in the denim industry or who aspires to be in it. He is incredibly creative, full of energy day and night, uncommonly hard working and perpetually passionate about his work. geniousgroup.la dailybluedenim.com houseofgoldusa.com Please follow us on: Instagram , Facebook , and LinkedIn . 

Adriano Goldschmied is an example for anyone in the denim industry or who aspires to be in it. He is incredibly creative, full of energy day and night, uncommonly hard working and perpetually passionate about his work. See his projects here: geniousgroup.la dailybluedenim.com houseofgoldusa.com Please follow us on: Instagram , Facebook , and LinkedIn . 

This man’s driving force is to inspire people in our industry and that in itself makes him and his work special. Long John website: www.long-john.nl Please follow us on: Instagram , Facebook , and LinkedIn . 

His dream was to work for Levi’s and his dream came true, and much more.  Stefano is one of the rare individuals that knows design, marketing, and social media. All-rounded is not that common! Find Stefano at: anotherdesignstudio.com Please follow us on: Instagram , Facebook , and LinkedIn . 

If you want to know about the cotton industry in Pakistan, which is rather important, Imran is the expert. Please follow us on: Instagram , Facebook , and LinkedIn . 

Opening a denim laundry in London England, of all places, is both auspicious and brave. It's taken Salli a lot of effort to get this done --- combined with lots of love. laundre.co.uk Please follow us on: Instagram , Facebook , and LinkedIn . 

Steven's company, Bank & Vogue, sounds like something run out of Gotham Hall but it's run out of Ottawa and it's about the greenest thing there is in our fashion industry. bankvogue.com Please follow us on: Instagram , Facebook , and LinkedIn . 

Some people buy denim, some people know about denim, but Paolo builds denim mills. He knows about everything one can know. He is a one-of-a-kind, or at minimum, a very special denim person. Website : www.itetex.com Instagram : @ite_indigo_taste_experience Please follow us on: Instagram , Facebook , and LinkedIn . 

Ayesha Barenblat has spent 20 years trying to create a conscious consumer movement through her non-profit Remake organization. And her work to help women workers in the garment industry is beyond admirable.   Website : https://remake.world/ Instagram : @remakeourworld Please follow us on: Instagram , Facebook , and LinkedIn . 

Ok. I am a fan. I really love what he does and why he does it. I’m biased but I also think he's smart and he makes you think. Not everyone does. Please follow us on: Instagram , Facebook , and LinkedIn . 

Jerome was a designer for Lucky Brand and then suddenly he created Seven for all Mankind. Like shot out of a denim canon, he went from being behind the scenes to being the scene. When I launched a denim publication, Kingpins Quarterly, I knew I wanted our first interview to be Jerome. Please follow us on: Instagram , Facebook , and LinkedIn . 

Scott will always be one of my all-time favorite people (ATFP) in our industry.  A marketer extraordinaire and gentle and kind man. If there was a GOAT (GREATEST of ALL TIME) list of brand creators, Scott would be there. Enjoy the Common Thread movie here . Please follow us on: Instagram , Facebook , and LinkedIn .