|
BACKYARD DENIM CONCEPT
The origin of so many items in our everyday lives is unknown. We just don't know where they came from, or how they were made, and there's no way to find out. Backyard Denim aprons, bags, and accessories are different. Backyard Denim aims to address the question of provenance. PROVENANCE — n place of origin, esp that of a work of art or archaeological specimen. When sourcing and bringing together the components and craftsmanship that it takes to make Backyard Denim aprons and bags, I want to share their background with you. Providing not only great products that you will use for years to come, but also a great story that you can be part of. When you wear your Backyard Denim apron, or carry your Backyard Denim bag, and people ask you where it came from, you can tell them with certainty. You know it's history, it's provenance. Backyard Denim aprons, bags, and accessories, are made in very limited quantities. Most styles are individually numbered. Genuinely and proudly carrying the label “Handmade in London”. |
Reid Galbraith.
Owner, designer, maker, web developer, book-keeper, receptionist, photographer, salesman, cleaner. |
The original backyard. Christchurch, New Zealand, circa 1978.
BACKYARD DENIM HISTORY
1978
Life was simple. Supportive family, good friends, a local school, and long hot summer days spent playing cricket in our parent’s backyard. This is a shot of my older sister and I, at home in our parents backyard. As you can see, my Dad was very particular about his straight line lawn-mowing technique. I love this image for its simplicity, and as a reminder of a wonderful time when the backyard was a place for the whole family to relax and enjoy some time together. Our fantastic Mum was always home when we got back from school, while our laid-back Dad spent his weekdays as a cutter at a Levi’s jeans factory in ‘town’. Weekends were usually spent with family, and Sunday afternoons were set aside to visit our grandparents.
1987
One particular weekend in 1987 was a bit different. Dad had found some off-cuts of denim, and made a cardboard pattern. He then proceeded to do the impossible. To show me how to make my own jeans. That’s right, jeans! The most desired of all teenage possessions. It was like a magic trick. The Backyard Denim seed was sown. Many years and various "day jobs" followed. A chartered accounting firm, office manager for a motorcycle shop, three amazing years at fashion school, production manager for a Japanese fashion designer... but always this passion for working with denim. Many evenings and weekends were spent making jeans and bags for family and friends. Then came the amazing opportunity to work for a British clothing brand in London. Four and a half years of invaluable experience, meeting talented new colleagues and being inspired. In my spare time, still always learning, working with denim, canvas and leather, finding new tools and testing techniques.
2012
Time to devote more attention to Backyard Denim, and to throw open the doors. To invite you in to my (strange) world, and to share some ideas. To tell you why and how I do it, and to offer you the opportunity to own something genuinely and proudly handmade in London.
Close to my heart is the selection of the highest quality fabrics, leather, brass fittings, and copper rivets. I then lovingly cut, sew, hand-stitch, punch, and hammer these materials into aprons and bags that I hope are beautiful, practical, individual, and incredibly durable.
2018
Welcome to Backyard Denim. Thanks for visiting and reading about what I do. Please follow Backyard Denim on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or Tumblr for product updates and hopefully a little inspiration.
Cheers,
Reid.