Ep 73—FRESH BLOOD, Part 7: From Upcycling to Opportunity with Landon Williams

FRESH BLOOD is about renewal. Every industry either regenerates itself or slowly hardens. In this Jeansland series, Andrew steps back to listen to the next generation already working inside denim’s supply chain, upstream in fibers, sourcing platforms, laundries, and raw materials.In Part 7 of the series, Andrew sits down with Landon Williams, denim designer, artist, and founder of Nolia James.Landon grew up in Mississippi, surrounded by generations of makers, repairers, and creatives. What started with altering and repairing clothes eventually led him to Levi’s, denim production, upcycling, and a growing interest in how garments can be transformed rather than discarded.Andrew and Landon talk about denim fit, manufacturing in Chicago, indigo dyeing, upcycling, and why he believes the industry needs to think differently about waste, materials, and the lifecycle of clothing.They also get into new fibers, secondhand fashion, the future of retail, and why some of the most interesting opportunities may come from finding value in what already exists.For Landon, waste is not the end of the process. It is where the next idea begins. And maybe that is exactly where the industry needs to look next.Thank you to our sponsor Inside Denim.Landon WilliamsFounder of Nolia JamesNolia James, Landon's Instagram, Nolia James' Instagram, XPlease follow us on: Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.