Cieto bleeds indigo, his blood thick and dark as dye, the same hue he’s poured into every pair of jeans he’s crafted, as if each stitch was fed from his veins and every fade remembers where it came from. The Colorado native has takled a new venture creating Japanese selvedge denim and he isn't stopping there. Following his debut show late 2023, the designer has a new collection to showcase featuring many items from boots to leather goods, and ofcourse the selvedge denim which he has been creating and perfecting for the last year and a half. When asked, “Do you believe it’s important to you to hold these showcases and pop ups?” he said, "It is important. I would even say it’s a must. It’s definitely to gain exposure but most importantly, it shows your following and people that you’re a serious brand, not just a trend. And that you truly want to share your work with everyone." Showcases and pop-ups go beyond marketing, they are an opportunity to connect. They allow brands to demonstrate commitment, authenticity, and craftsmanship directly to their audience.
photo from his most recent pop-up event*
"It's all about expanding. I wanted to stabilize my brand, make more than just 1 of 1’s, but I can’t do everything alone. So I decided to start with something that can be worn everyday, but still maintain that high quality. That was going to Japan directly for their denim." Pulling inspiration from his Mexican heritage and the craftsmanship from Japan he has forged his own denim "Indio". When it comes to denim, not all jeans are created equal. Enter Japanese selvedge denim, the gold standard for denim aficionados worldwide. But what makes it so coveted? What drew you specifically to Japanese selvedge? "The quality and its origin story. Jeans came from America, but the Japanese took it and perfected it. Just the idea that they wanted to make what was already good to something even better resonates with my philosophy as I want every piece to be better than its latter" he says. The charm of Japanese selvedge lies in its combination of heritage, craftsmanship, and innovation. It’s not just about a pair of jeans it’s about respecting tradition while pushing quality to its limits. Cieto believes that his jeans are made to age with the wearer, that like our ancestors who wore their clothes until they could no longer wear them, we should share the same philosophy. "I want the wearer to feel connected to the clothes and brand. Indigo denim captures that perfectly. Because of how indigo fades, it shows the wearer their story, how they interact with their clothes. Same with leather and natural materials."
In the streets of Tokyo (indio denim)*
“I started with screen printing back in 2015 during high school, but even then, I knew I needed to bring something better. Something fulfilling,” he recalls. What began as experimentation quickly evolved into intention. Since then, he has never stopped creating, refining his visual language into what he now defines as a modern luxury uniform, designed not just to be worn, but lived in. For him, clothing was never meant to be temporary. It was meant to carry time, wear, and meaning. “We call it fast fashion for a reason, it’s cheap, it’s not environmentally friendly, nothing good comes out of it. What we need to focus on is good quality, long-lasting clothes. That alone tells a real story and shows authenticity.” At its core, Cieto is rooted in permanence. He believes clothing should exist beyond trends and transactions, that brands shouldn’t be driven by profit alone, but by art, philosophy, and purpose. Each garment becomes more than something functional, it becomes a reflection of values, culture, and the person who wears it. While fashion remains the foundation, it’s only one piece of a much larger creative language. Their perspective is formed by influences that exist far outside the wardrobe. When asked, “Other than fashion, what are some inspiration you pull from?” he explained, "I like to pull inspiration from nothing. I think it’s good to use your own creativity with no bias or direct inspiration. Immerse yourself with just your thoughts and let your concepts slowly build more and more. I think overtime it helps you create your own style/direction and separates yourself from others in the long run". Lastly for my own curiosty I wanted to know what his favorite song and artist was, "There’s too many to choose from. But if I had to pick it would be highway patrol by bladee and yung lean. Second would be peroxide by Ecco2k. Bladee and Ecco2k are my favorite artists."
@cietostudios (denim out now!)
I personally own a pair of Cieto Indigo. No bias, but they might be the best pair of pants I currently have. The fit is a perfect balance between baggy and straight, with a leg opening that works well for both chunky and slimmer shoe silhouettes. They sit perfectly on the waist without needing a belt. I told Cieto that I want to wear these to the ground and develop natural fades that are unique to me. That’s the fun of indigo, it’s something you can’t replicate with a machine wash. Nowadays, I want to build a timeless wardrobe that will last 20–30 years from now, and this pair of pants is perfect for that. GO BUY CIETO INDIGO!
-hueheffnerr