Photo credit: Connor Grant
“Even before I could walk, my mum had dressed me up in jeans and a matching jacket,” he tells us.
All grown up, beard, tattoos and all, the denim uniform has stuck.
Nick Carter, the Nudie Jeans Queensland manager, reps the orange stitch pocket-stamp better than anyone could.
A passion he shares with any passerby, you could say that Nick and denim are the perfect fit!
Walking in the door of James street’s Nudie Jeans store, we were greeted by the cool rush of air-con (fitting for the Brisbane heat) and a smile even more welcoming.
Nick takes us through his denim journey and shares the company’s undying passion.
“Denim is a lifestyle, from the time you put on your first pair of Nudies, you’re part of the family for life,” he says.
Photo credit: Ron Caldecutt
Do you remember your first pair of Nudies?
I sure do.
They were a pair of ‘tight long-john’s’ super skinny.
At the end of their life they were pretty haggard with stitches holding together rips and tears.
But that’s what I love about Nudie, your jeans last for years and tell a lifetime of stories.
What attracted you to work at Nudie?
With the company still run by its original founders, it holds a strong community feel.
We’re extremely passionate about our unique values.
Nudie is organic from head to toe.
What’s really cool is our ‘free repairs for life’ program where we offer customers the chance to get items repaired for free or an exchange with a 20% discount and much more.
We see well-loved, torn up jeans recycled into new denim, hats or even rugs … ready to take off on a new life journey!
Photo credit: Ron Caldecutt
As a customer, how did you feel walking into a Nudie store?
Like I was being welcomed into denim heaven.
You’ll always be greeted as if you’re meeting a friend.
There’s something about the company that makes it so genuine and I think it’s that the employees genuinely love the product.
Nudie is all I wear.
Even on my days off, I reach for a pair of Nudies amongst my huge pile of denim.
How has Nudie ‘upped the game’ for denim?
Nudie is fashion-forward.
The company focusses on, not only having on-trend fits, but also having their A-game on when designing unique cuts.
Compared to giants of the denim industry, Nudie has maintained a boutique size and holds a stronger personable feel.
How does Nudie fit in with the New Farm fashion scene?
I must say, New Farm’s getting more adventurous when it comes to fashion.
There are some great designers coming out of our city and their unique styles are influencing street style.
However, denim will never go out of style.
Aussie’s rep the blue jean, white tee uniform.
We love our basics, but as we become more fashion conscious we’ve grown to appreciate quality.
Rather than going for fast-fashion labels, buyers are more conscious of where their products come from.
Priding themselves on their ethical compliance, the company slogan, ‘the naked truth’ has pressured other brands to be more transparent about their products and manufacturing standards.
Photo credit: Ron Caldecutt
Tell me about your customers?
Our denim is made to suit every lifestyle of our unique Nudie family.
We may sell a pair of jeans to a skater, uni student or business professional.
Although the same pair of jeans, each will wear and tear in a different way.
Every pair of jeans tells a story.
What are your plans for the store?
I have plans to collaborate with artists, small businesses and influential ambassadors who embody the Nudie vision.
I see me and my jeans staying within the company for many years.
I’m here to spread the company culture and grow the Nudie family.
Be honest, how many pairs of jeans do you own?
Probably too many..
Enough for everyday of the month I’d say, but my collection is only growing.