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prps USA

Denim..the New American Heirloom: We Start the Story, You Write the Rest

Quality takes time. That’s why over at Prps we create our traditional collection, Prps Japan, from organically grown African cotton that’s been hand-finished and aged in Japan, Italian leather, and turkish cotton. It’s also why we’ve waited so long to introduce our 'pocket brand', Prps USA. An extention line of denim, leather, and knits made exclusively in Los Angeles, CA, Prps USA combines the best from Prps Japan – one-of-a-kind detailing, superior fabrics, small-batch production – with principles we’re passionate about: affordability and American craftsmanship.

Prps founder and head designer Donwan Harrell, was inspired to create his 'heirloom collection' in order to make his vision avaliable to a broader audience of prps brand fans. Donwan sources his materials globally – cotton from Turkey, leather from Italy, textiles from Japan – but his inspiration is homegrown. Memories of his own childhood in rural North Carolina, where he heated up water for his bath over a potbelly stove, this was the starting point for his design process. Sparked by a strong do-it-yourself ethos (Mom was a seamstress and Dad was a carpenter), Harrell’s designs for Prps USA have blue-collar roots and a vintage American feel of "hand-me-down chic". No two pieces in this collection ever end up the same. We put our signature marks on them in the beginning, a hand-screened button here, a pre-faded pocket there, but the rest is up to you. Wear them long enough and they’ll tell a story – yours.

About the designer

Before founding Prps in 2003, Harrell was a head designer at Nike. As a student at the Chambre Syndicale De La Couture in Paris he took home top design prizes in the school’s annual international design competition two years running. Growing up, Harrell sold handmade clothes at flea markets and from his high school locker. His look was all about American classics – Buster Brown shoes, OshKosh B’Gosh coveralls, and Lee jeans. Prps USA is Harrell’s take on new American heirlooms.... we hope you enjoy!

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