Meet Barry, Curator of Classics at Black & Blue

Somewhere between a denim library and the world’s most inviting hangout, you’ll find Black & Blue Shop on Nijmegen’s Lange Hezelstraat in The Netherlands. This is the sort of place for connoisseurs and curious style rookies alike; the shop’s racks are a tribute to rugged classics and raw-edged icons. Think selvedge denim (the real, rigid stuff), proper workwear shirts, worn-in Red Wing boots, and Stetson hats that only get better with a few seasons under their belt. American Optical sunglasses sit beside sturdy Stanley flasks and Tivoli radios. It’s not just retail, it’s a full-sensory experience—with the scent of new leather accessories being cut and stitched by ByBoaz at the back, the comforting clink of a coffee cup, and the low hum of in-the-know conversation. Fast fashion trends? Not here. It’s all about pieces that outlast fads and earn their place in your story.

The brains behind the brotherhood is Barry van den Heuvel. Even if he’ll tell you Black & Blue is “basically a one man show,” it’s clearly a labour of love where every detail is curated with a collector’s eye and a welcoming spirit. Barry is denim to his core, but he’s no snob about it. If you want to geek out over rare Japanese selvedge, he’s game (and probably wearing a pair he’s been breaking in for years). But if you’re just after a solid pair of jeans to get you through a few decades of city life? He’ll set you up, talk fit and fades, pour you a strong black coffee (“no milk, no sugar, the pure stuff”), and invite you to sink into the big shop sofa. The rule here is simple: come as you are, stay as long as you like. New friends, old mates, and even the coffee averse are always welcome.

What sets Black & Blue apart isn’t a secret club or some elusive “members only” vibe. It’s the rare combination of heritage pieces and honest hospitality. Barry only brings in what he genuinely rates—from Lee 101 and Iron Heart jeans to Red Wing boots he’s worn (and re-soled) for over twenty-five years. He’s quick to highlight the value of buying fewer, better things, all responsibly made and built to last. If you learn one thing here, it’s that style is about what feels genuine—not hype or hashtags. And with Barry guiding the way, Black & Blue is less a shop and more a living room for timeless gents and rugged style seekers, every visit a story waiting to happen.

We had the chance to ask Barry eight questions, diving into his journey and the philosophy behind Black & Blue. Trust us, it’s a conversation worth having.

1. What first sparked your interest in rugged style—was it a person, a picture, or a specific piece of clothing?

I was always interested in the way guys looked in American movies—the cuffed jeans, denim jackets, boots, and the hats and caps they wore, along with the cars and bikes they rode. It’s not just the look—I’m a big fan of American music too: Rockabilly, Country, and Blues. American traditional tattoos, and of course hot rods and Harley-Davidson choppers and bobbers. The whole American lifestyle stands for excitement, adventure, and boldness. It’s in your face. No excuses. No hiding who you are or what you stand for. It’s about good times and courage.

The clothing that matched that vibe, I found in an old Levi’s advertisement in an American magazine. It showed a Levi’s Type 1 jacket with matching jeans laid flat—and it was this simple photo that got me hooked. That was what I’d been looking for. The garments were unwashed, and it had “old school” written all over it. This wasn’t something sold in the main jeans shops at the time.

But I was lucky to live in Arnhem back then. We had the best shop in the western hemisphere just around the corner. Harry Wonder’s shop, The Globe, felt like a candy store and had everything you could wish for—and more. Harry is an iconic guy in the jeans business and retail world, and he put a lot of us guys on the right track.

Call his name, and a door will open.

2. How do you personally define rugged style?

I don’t like it when someone looks too dressed up. A pair of jeans, a denim jacket, and good boots—that’s enough. Top it off with a hat or cap, and you’re good to go. Keep it simple and wear your stuff.

For me, it’s not about dressing up. What I wear in the shop is what I wear at home. It’s what I wear when I go out, ride my bike, or head to a concert. That’s just how it works for me—but everyone does it their own way. I like to add a bit of bike and western attitude to it. But not too much.

3. What’s one rugged style essential you swear by and why?

My trashed 25 oz Iron Heart 634s, Red Wing 877s, denim jacket—and a cap. Always a cap. Even when I’m home alone. I think I was born with one. Haha.

4. What’s the best first piece for someone new to rugged style and why?

It all starts with one pair of unwashed jeans. No stretch allowed.

5. If you had to sum up your store’s vibe with a classic movie character, who would it be and why?

We’re James Dean—not because we look like him, but because we do our own thing. We don’t copy. We don’t measure ourselves against others. We’re rebels without a cause.

6. If your store was a playlist, what song would definitely be on it?

“Wolf Teeth” by JD McPherson.

7. What’s a lesser-known brand that deserves more attention in the rugged style world?

I think the American cap makers at Ampal Creative deserve more attention. They make great-fitting caps—unstructured and not mass-produced. Made in Los Angeles, often with deadstock fabric. I love their designs. The caps feel fresh and stand out from the trucker hats we all know so well.

8. What’s a detail about your store that most people don’t notice but you love?

The jeans, boots, and memorabilia on the walls were donated or made by customers, friends, and loved ones.