The Last Handmade Denim Artist | San Francisco News

Oakland lost a denim legend this week with the passing of Roy Slaper at fifty-four — a self-taught artisan who handcrafted some of the world’s most coveted jeans from his tiny Bay Area apartment. Starting in 2007, he defied industry norms by making premium denim without a factory, using vintage machines he believed produced superior stitches and soulful details. Within a year, his limited runs sold out in minutes, drawing global acclaim and lines stretching for hours. Though he retired in 2021, his legacy lives on, inspiring a new generation of independent makers. Beyond denim, he chased skateboarding, swimming, and even part-time restaurant work — always curious, always kind, always making the world a little more handmade. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/1be4975272cf5f2b