Kingpins: 'Amsterdam is THE denim capital'

“[Kingpins] was something we really missed in Europe,” said Barbara Gnutti, exports manager for Italian denim supplier ITV Denim, during the opening of the first European edition of Kingpins, the boutique denim sourcing trade fair. First launched in New York City in 2004 by Andrew

Olah, the invitation-only denim event has grown over the years and now hosts bi-annual events in Los Angeles, Hong Kong and now Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Held at the Gashouder in the Westergasfabriek from May 7 - 8, the trade fair coincides with the debut edition of the Amsterdam Denim Days, the first event of its kind that showcases and highlights the city's thriving denim community.

Kingpins opens the first edition of Amsterdam Denim Days

Gnutti revealed that when the company was invited to come and show at Kingpins, they decided to join straight away. “We needed something new and wanted a change. This seemed like the perfect opportunity.” Used to showing at fashion trade show Bread & Butter in Berlin, the company decided to attend Kingpins this season and so far has been pleased with their decision. “Everybody is really excited and very happy to be here. I love the venue, it feels very denim and very raw.”