Hailing from Philadelphia, PA, Norman Porter is the brainchild of two brothers, Michael and Dave Stampler, and their close friend John. The company itself is thenamesake of the Stampler brothers’ grandfather, the illustrious Norman Porter.
The team strives to produce denim that can stand the test of time while also keeping a fashionable, modern fit. To keep to their own high expectations and standard too, the three men do everything themselves; from making each pair of jeans by hand to keeping all other necessary work in-house.
Two-Thirds of the Norman Porter Team – Michael and Dave Stampler
The Man Himself – Norman Porter
When constructing their jeans as well, the men employ raw selvedge denims from a variety of locales ranging from Japan to the US. Each pair is made of 100% cotton denim ranging in weight from 12.5 to 16 oz. and is sewn, riveted and hemmed all within their workshop in Philadelphia.
Sizes run from 28 – 36 and come in Japanese Indigo 14 oz., Cone Indigo 12.5 oz., Japanese Green 12.5 oz., and Japanese Grey 14 oz. The jeans only come in their “standard fit” and as described by the Norman Porter website fit between a straight and slim cut.
For Norman Porter, jeans are about personalization, an ideal they believe in so much so that each pair of jeans purchased from them is custom hemmed to the customer’s length. This custom fit even comes at a reasonable price of $250 per pair.
Japanese Indigo 14 oz., Japanese Grey 14 oz., Japanese Green 12.5 oz. – Norman Porter denim
Aside from producing tough as nails denim, they also specialize in leatherwork and bag production; offering a variety of hand cut, sewn, and stained wallets and belts all ranging in price from $100 – $150.
Wallets and Belts – Norman Porter leather goods
As far as bags are concerned, Norman Porter offers two styles that are not only sustainable in design but also serve as a piece of Americana history in their own right. One style is tote-oriented, made from repurposed vintage canvas UPS bags; while the other is a handmade waxed canvas built to withstand the rigors of daily life.
Bags – Norman Porter
To top it all off, Norman Porter even provides repair services for just about any problem you could encounter with a pair of raw denim. From darning to hemming and even alterations, the guys can do it all.
Keep your eyes fixed on Norman Porter – Mike, Dave, and John are running a company and label in grassroots, homegrown fashion and making the best quality products that they can offer.
