Kansas City designer Matt Baldwin focuses on the theme of Grit and Grace, with the American Midwest providing the canvas for his work. He calls this region the "modern middle," where the grit of hard work and collaborative culture is juxtaposed against the grace and beauty of modern life.

Armed with a fashion degree from Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, Baldwin got his start in the fashion industry as a retailer, earning a master's degree in retail then opening two Standard Style specialty stores in Kansas. As a storeowner, he found himself constantly on the hunt for compelling new brands. In 2009, he noticed a hole in the denim market that incited him to develop a brand of his own: an American-made denim label that offers a modern take on ultra-premium Japanese and American selvage.

The resulting Baldwin brand is dedicated to sourcing the very best denim fabrics in the world, compelling Esquire magazine to deem it "The Best Damn Denim. Period." Baldwin was also named one of the "Best New Menswear Designers in America" by GQ magazine in 2013.

Today, in addition to jeans, Baldwin offers full collections for men and women that include outerwear, knitwear, accessories, and more. He continues to be driven by a passion for functional design and an interest in fostering interactions between people and product.

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Matt Baldwin

Self