The brand-new North American textile maker, Vidalia Mills, has joined the ranks of Imogene+Willie as the first customer of its high-end selvedge denim. Vidalia has recently purchased the 45 old Draper X3 selvedge denim looms. Imogene + Willie will be the first to create jeans and clothing in the US using fabric loomed on Vidalia’s recently revived historical machines.
Vidalia has acquired an antique collection of 45 Draper Selvedge Denim looms X3from a demolition company located in Greensboro, NC. A lifestyle brand that is a proponent of Made in America clothing, Imogene+Willie is a top manufacturer of premium denim. It also has an iconic store in Nashville.
Dan Feibus, CEO of Vidalia Mills Dan Feibus, CEO of Vidalia Mills, said, “We are so excited to be able to welcome Imogene+Willie and their team of talented employees to our Vidalia team as the very first selvedge denim customer. As a top maker and retailer of premium quality denim jeans, as well as other clothing, Imogene+Willie is well-positioned to enhance the intrinsic quality of the jeans that we make by the Vidalia Draper weaves.”
Feibus said, “Our relationship with Imogene+Willie is much more than simply a relationship between a supplier and customer. It’s an association where the ingenuity of Imogene+Willie is able to maximize the potential of our selvedge jeans. We’re truly grateful to have Imogene+Willie as a partner in our launch.”
K P McNeill, CEO of Imogene+Willie The company’s CEO, K P McNeill, emphasized the significance of the partnership with Vidalia and stated, “Vidalia’s decision and commitment to bring the manufacturing of premium denim in this part of the United States is a historic occasion that is aligned directly with our values. We have seen an increase in the number of companies that move overseas to manufacture their clothing more affordable and quicker We have remained unwavering and determined to make every item we sell at home in America.”
McNeill stated, “We are humbled to be able to collaborate with Vidalia and for that our pants are to be made from the first selvedge material from these weaving machines. We are confident that the huge undertaking of Vidalia will spark the revival that is”America Made” Made in America movement, which will bring together with like-minded brands as well as consumers.”
Vidalia denim exclusively uses the e3 sustainable cotton solely in its production, which is the first of its kind globally. The cotton it uses comes from all over the US farm belt, from farmers that are part of the sustainable cotton e3 initiative. Vidalia says it will provide its customers total transparency about best practices for the sustainability of growers.
