“I want to share that moment in time, that beautiful moment in time where black writers and musicians and artists were coming from America, running from America, and finding some level of acceptance in certain European cities and being able to have their art respected and who they are respected. It wasn’t perfect but it was just a moment, a beautiful moment for blacks to have the privilege and opportunity to escape from the terror, the horrors of America, a segregated Jim Crow America. Artists like Miles Davis and writers like James Baldwin found refuge in Paris.”
Boldly flipping historical legacy upside down and printing a new narrative onto luxe urban designs, Denim Tears is the American streetwear brand shaking up the accepted order of fashion, exclusivity, and empowerment. Blasting out of an apprenticeship with Ye to take the style, street, political and celebrity worlds by storm, we take a leisurely swagger through visionary founder Tremaine Emory’s celebration of African American heritage, including the sizzling designs and blistering collaborations that make it the hottest name to have in your apparel arsenal right now.
The Genesis of Denim Tears
Dropping in 2019, the impact of luxe streetwear brand Denim Tears has been nothing short of volcanic.
Blasting from the passion and heritage of founder Tremaine Emory, from the start this champion of ethical leisurewear unrepentantly staked its right to centre stage and runway, stealing the narrative from the narrow privilege of high-end fashion to champion the pride and pain of the African American diaspora.
Spearheading the movement to inject meaning, impact and activism into streetwear, high-profile collaborators, fans, and critics alike just can’t turn their gaze away. Blending laidback designs and uncompromisingly high-quality fabrics with woven-in demands for social justice, its fierce authenticity demands attention, signalling confident, relaxed aspiration and success.
Denim Tears clothing wears its rallying cry proudly on its sleeves, chest and very much in the spotlight: wear it, and claim your space.
Tremaine Emory: Visionary Disruptor
A brand so supremely assured is never going to wait for permission, embodied by its activist founder, Tremaine Emory. Raised in Atlanta, Georgia, and Queens, New York, Emory’s culturally rich and diverse upbringing deeply influenced his worldview and creative vision. Introduced by his music retail father to Black history, the foundations of Emory’s craft as a designer and cultural commentator are staked at the intersection of art, culture, and commerce, deploying each to reveal authentic truths through creative mediums.
In demand as a consultant for brands including Stüssy, Marc Jacobs, and Yeezy, Emory’s genius for translating truth into fashion was never going to stay in the shadows.
Launching Denim Tears in 2019, the style house which explores Black history, identity and social justice achieved explosive recognition as a fashion force, activism platform, and inclusive aspirational brand for conscious wearers across every spectrum.
Ever passionate and evolving, hitching your wardrobe to Emory’s skyrocket vision will never be less than thrilling.
Why Denim Tears is Your Perfect Fit
Meaningfully reshaping modern streetwear, Denim Tears’ blend of ethical, understated opulence melded with raw urban energy has the spirit of innovation and activism running through every seam. Emory’s brilliance may flash at blinding speed, but the brand is anything but fast fashion.
From classic American hoodies and sweatpants to retro tees and audacious jeans, this is clothing you’re going to feel 100% comfortable in, wherever you’re staking your space. And this is exactly what Denim Tears delivers, enriching your day from sofa to centre stage, day and night.
Designed with daily wear in mind, sourcing the highest quality sustainable cotton, denim and terry fabrics, you’re buying comfort, durability and lasting fit, as well as enduring style. Don’t mistake casual wear for casually-made, every line is meticulously designed, cut, stitched and tested, hitting the sweet spot between flattering fit and casual comfort.
From Emory’s signature cotton wreath motif, subtly referencing the legacy of African-American slave labour, contemporised symbols and imagery speak volumes to those reading the message.
This is not clothing to stay on the rack, but clothing to wear boldly forward; speaking your story, striding your journey.
The Hottest Brand on Celebrity Speed-Dial
It’s no surprise that uniting strategic societal iconography and trailblazing modern style, celebrities and stylists are sending the brand stratospheric, contributing to new Denim Tears collections selling out within minutes and police called to calm crowds at Emery’s mischievous guerrilla popups.
From Lakeyah to Marc Jacobs, Odell Beckham Jr. to Frank Ocean, it’s clear the brand’s integrity and aesthetic have no boundaries.
Take a tip from high-profile’Tears fans, and style up your own way: embracing the lightest, brightest cotton wash cotton wreath jeans like Bloody Osiris, sporting a bold sweatshirt message like Joey Badass, pairing with the perfect boxfresh sneakers like Lil Uzi Vert, or embracing the blues like Fat Joe.
Insiders reveal power couple Cardi B and Offset are such committed fans (Cardi rapping about the brand on Latto’s “Put It on da Floor Again”; Offset going one better and releasing a collab with the brand), the whole family is often seen in custom Denim Tears, personally tailored and styled by Emory himself.
Although less spendy than having the designer on speed dial, pieces don’t come cheap. Still, Denim Tears hits every marker for quality, exclusivity and desirability of established brands, from the heritage heft of Louis Vitton to the intense collectability of Yeezy, while remaining significantly more affordable.
Denim Tears Collabs and Campaigns
Taking the love one step further, high profile collaborations only intensify the brand’s profile and enviability, including Converse, Champion, Ugg and Dior.
The enduring appeal of Denim Tears’ early partnerships with Levi’s returns this season with fresh cotton wreath-swathed denim designs, while recent hoodies produced in collaboration with Cactus Plant Flea Market (CPFM) subtly subverts cotton wreath to cactus, symbolising growth and resilience.
Celebrating the intersection of art, fashion, and activism, Emery’s typically bold collaborations invite forward-thinking artists and creatives to the party, including producing designs for Frank Ocean’s Blonded release and Virgil Abloh’s Off-White collections.
In 2022, New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art acquired three Denim Tears pieces for its permanent collection, a phenomenal endorsement of this way-fresh disruptor's recognised impact and future-forward longevity.
Wear Your Ethics With Pride
Already acclaimed as a trailblazer in modern fashion, admired (and feared?!) for his authenticity and vision, Emory remains true to his roots as the boy with the thorn in his side, engaging the physiques of the growing worldwide Denim Tears community to embody messages of social change and equality. Who other than Emory could get Levi’s to agree a 40-minute self-directed film as part of their collaboration, in which he interviews members of his family about their experiences picking cotton?
Merging the realms of fashion, activism, and art to create a lasting legacy, you don’t “own” a piece of Denim Tears clothing by buying it: by wearing it and living it, you OWN it.
Where will Emory take Denim Tears’ journey next? Grab your chance to clothe yourself in exceptional artistry, and buckle up for the ride of your life.
Follow Us @KershKicks on Instagram to keep up with the latest drops, exclusive collaborations, and fresh additions to the KershKicks lineup.
Stay inspired and step into the forefront of streetwear with updates on the hottest brands and designs shaping the scene - and even find some inspo.
The Author: Ben Kersh
Ben Kersh is the co-founder and a driving force behind KershKicks. With a deep passion for streetwear culture and over a decade of experience in the sneaker industry, Ben has built KershKicks into a trusted destination for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
