Roots & Roads: Interview Robin Denim

Robin Denim isn’t just another online magazine about jeans. It’s a labor of love from Robin Meijerink, a man who’s spent years listening, learning, and sharing the quiet beauty of well-made denim. What began as a few photographs and stories on Instagram has grown, piece by piece, into a gathering place for anyone who values quality that stands the test of time and the hands that craft it.

Robin has a knack for bringing people together. He spends time with makers, brands, and fellow denim enthusiasts, shining a gentle light on honest craftsmanship and the care that goes into each pair of jeans. There’s no pretense here, no noisy fanfare — just a respect for good work and the stories jeans can carry.

And if you’ve followed Robin’s story for a while, you know the path didn’t stop at sharing others’ work. With Realign, his own brand, Robin took all he’d learned from years of listening to makers and wearers alike and stitched it into something new. The result? Jeans crafted with integrity and passion, designed to fit not just your body but a way of life rooted in realness and respect.

Here are eight questions I asked Robin. Perhaps, as you read them, you’ll find a few that spark your own curiosity as well.

What first sparked your interest in denim—was it a person, a picture, or a specific piece of clothing? 

It was a friend, and it was a long time ago. He convinced me to go with him to a renowned denim store in Amsterdam to try on a pair of jeans myself — and I did. I picked one out, tried it on… and wow, it felt like wearing cardboard. Super stiff, totally uncomfortable. I hated it. So naturally, I walked up to the counter, paid a lot of money — and the rest is history.

How do you personally define rugged style?

To me, rugged style doesn’t necessarily mean boots and beards. Maybe it’s because I can’t grow a respectable beard myself and don’t like wearing boots all year round, but for me, it’s about wearing high-quality Japanese denim combined with anything you like — as long as it’s well-made and built to last.

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

Next to a pair of jeans — which is the cornerstone of rugged style in my opinion — I always love to carry a vegetable-tanned leather cardholder. I love it when it’s brand new and naturally colored, but I love it even more when it starts to develop a patina alongside my favorite pair of jeans.

If someone is browsing your denim blog, what’s the key takeaway you hope they walk away with? 

What I originally tried to showcase with robindenim.com was my love for Japanese raw selvedge denim. Japan is, in my humble opinion, the country producing the finest selvedge denim fabrics! With my work I had the courtesy of meeting many passionate denim makers from Japan and they all shared the same infectious love for denim (which only sparked my love for Japanese denim!). Later on, I also started covering new developments and innovations in the denim industry, as I believe it’s super important that end consumers—like myself—understand the impact of making a single pair of jeans. I’ve come to respect some of the biggest denim mills in the world—who weave millions of meters of denim each year—for their efforts in reducing their impact on our one and only planet.

What’s one denim piece you never travel without, and why? 

A good pair of raw denim, obviously! I usually stick to one pair of jeans per year, but when I’m heading to warmer places, I always pack a lightweight backup pair—something I can wear anywhere without sweating my ass off.

I am currently wearing the Regular Kenji 14.5 oz. Osaka Denim from Realign Denim, which is the perfect mid-weight denim for year-round wear.

Which lesser-known denim brand do you think more people should check out? 

REALIGN DENIM – check it out yourself, here!

What’s the best denim item for someone just starting to build their rugged wardrobe? 

A pair of jeans. And once you’ve bought your first pair… you’ll find yourself wanting a second!

What’s the blog post or content on your site that you’re most proud of? 

This article: Realign Denim – Our Largest and Most Exciting Project to Date!

When I started Robin Denim 10 years ago, I had the long-term goal of establishing a denim brand one day. I wanted to create denim in Japan from the highest quality and with unique details, without making any compromises. So, when I wrote this article almost 4 years ago, I felt so close to making my dream come true!