Sarah and Victor's story
Homegrown may be the best way to describe Sarah Yarborough and Victor Lytvinenko’s foray into the world of crafting high-quality denim, and what began as a personal quest to create the perfect pair of jeans has turned into the bustling enterprise Raleigh Denim. The pair has spent the last decade sourcing denim from local mills, bringing an authenticity to the industry that is far from common.
Filled with the whirr of vintage textiles machines and master jeansmiths at work, Raleigh Denim Workshop is devoted to conscientiously producing small-batch, handmade jeans and clothing. Their factory and flagship shop (including its conversation-worthy paper plane display on the ceiling) is in the heart of the Warehouse District, a growing concentration of galleries, studios, restaurants, nightlife and innovative businesses located a few blocks west of downtown Raleigh’s core.
Surrounded by the friends and family who helped their business take off, the Raleigh area is more than home to Sarah and Victor. It is a community of artists, makers and craftsmen who have turned it into a thriving destination that has global inspirations with a decidedly local feel.
Make a trip
Located in the front of Raleigh Denim Workshop, The Curatory offers carefully-curated local and worldly goods, chosen because of their care for craft, superior design and master process. The shop stocks the complete Raleigh Denim collection as well as other exclusive, well-crafted collections. Take home a pair of their jeans—they'll quickly become your favorite.
Spend an afternoon in the growing Warehouse District, shopping at Raleigh Denim and working in a meal at chef Ashley Christensen's Poole's Diner, the legendary barbecue spot The Pit, farm-to-table contemporary Mexican cuisine at Jose and Sons or vegetarian fare at Fiction Kitchen. And be sure to explore other key spots around the district, including Videri Chocolate Factory, Boulted Bread, Boxcar Bar + Arcade, CAM Raleigh and Crank Arm Brewing.
“A lot of people in Raleigh are doing what they do here because they love what they’re doing. It feels deliberate. It’s organic. It’s homegrown but very deliberately homegrown.”
