G-STAR, in collaboration with the Los Angeles design studio TOMBOGO, has presented the limited edition THE DENIM 004 jeans series. This model is inspired by rigging straps, buckles, and utilitarian style elements.
The THE DENIM series represents an ongoing collaboration between G-STAR and various designers, providing them with a clean canvas of denim, access to the company's archives, and freedom to experiment to expand the material's potential. The latest collection was developed by TOMBOGO founder Tommy Bog, who views denim through the lens of form and functionality, emphasizing its construction and wearability.
The series began with THE DENIM 001 in collaboration with Ottolinger, followed by KNWLS, and then designer Jacques Agbobli from Togo, who first introduced African influence into the series by creating high-waisted bell-bottom jeans. In the fourth iteration, TOMBOGO pushes denim into an unconventional direction, equipping the jeans with rigging-style straps, buckles, panels, and hidden pockets that are integrated into the design rather than added as mere decoration.
About TOMBOGO
TOMBOGO was founded by multimedia artist Tommy Bog in 2020 and operates across fashion, technology, music, and community spheres. TOMBOGO is not confined to a single category, encompassing everything from cameras and speakers to wearable technology and clothing. His designs often start with a recognizable object, after which the question arises of what would happen if its operating principle were altered.
This approach is clearly visible in THE DENIM 004. Straps wrap around the legs, buckles disrupt the silhouette, and pockets appear where they are least expected. Despite still being jeans, the classic five-pocket formula has been deconstructed and reassembled.
From Boots to Denim
The origin of the idea was quite simple. Bog saw a person wearing boots with rigging straps and wondered how this logic could translate to the leg. He then studied the G-STAR archive, where old hardware, straps, and workwear elements provided him with numerous creative opportunities. The idea, which started with a pair of boots, soon transitioned to denim.