Grabbed by the seat of your pants

Engineers Opaspong Tongnuch and Kongchuch Wongrukmit can’t remember a time when they didn’t wear jeans. Fans of denim in all its forms, they’ve both been collecting this tough fabric for more than two decades.

But it wasn’t until the two of them travelled to Japan a few years ago that they decided the time had come to produce their own jeans for like-minded folk. When they returned home, they set up Piger Works, transforming a factory in Nonthaburi into their headquarters and installing old-fashioned sewing machines to ensure the stitching remained authentic. 

“We started collecting jeans when we were teenagers. We actually met online: we were both sharing our experiences on a watch website and we realised we had the same interests. A few years ago, we were in Japan and spent our free time checking out Japanese brands for latest editions of jeans.” Opaspong says.

Their jeans, designed under a “modern vintage style” concept, are divided into seven collections for both men and women. They look classic thanks to the different weaving techniques, but are trendy in terms of cut. Price from Bt5,950 to Bt7,950, they are available in boot cut, super slim, roomy straight, 

 slim straight, semi boot cut and regular straight.

“We want to design the best jeans while focusing on quality and premium materials,” Opaspong says. “We’ve named our label after our zodiac signs - pig and tiger – to give our products a more personalised touch.”

The jeans are made from denim imported from Japan and feature genuine silver and brass jeans buttons, blue saddle stitching on the inner seam and back pockets embroidered with the abbreviated label name. Inner pockets come in blue for boys and pink for girls and are made from two-toned Sherwood woven fabric. 

“Our jeans look as though they are handcrafted. Our tailors are skilled and our jeans are produced on old sewing machines. We use four types of denim, depending on weaving techniques and weight as well as durable and sticky thread that are a combination of cotton and polyester,” Opaspong says. 

“We plan to 

 build a shop and museum in front of a factory soon too. We want to be a hangout for jean lovers.”

If you can’t find jeans to match your shape, Opaspong offers a custom-fit service. Piger Works is also planning to launch a new collection of workwear-style shirts in denim and linen at the end of month. The shirts, like the jeans, will be available at Siam Square. 

 

DUSTED DOWN IN DENIM

Piger Works is located at 17/4, Tohfan Village, Soi Piboonsongkram 22 in Nonthaburi province. It’s open daily Monday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm. Call (087) 551 5555 or visit www.Pigerworks.com, www.Facebook.com/Piger works