Vintage Genes Black® is an American denim and casual apparel brand that specializes in creating high-quality, fashion-forward jeans, pants, and shorts for men and women. Founded in Los Angeles in 2009, Vintage Genes Black® combines vintage style with innovative fabrics and modern fits to produce classics with an edge.
Our Story
The Vintage Genes Black® story begins with a passion for great-fitting denim and a desire to bring back the styles of yesteryear. In the late 2000s, our founder was on the hunt for jeans with the perfect tapered leg and superior comfort. Frustrated by the lack of options, he decided to make them himself. After months of research and development, the first pair of Vintage Genes Black® jeans was born.
Made from premium denim with just the right amount of stretch, our jeans were an instant hit with customers looking for a slim retro look. As demand grew, we expanded into casual bottoms like chinos, cords, and joggers, all with the perfect tapered silhouette. We also introduced shorts featuring soft, stretch fabrics that moved with you.
While our fits pay homage to the past, we use innovative fabrics and washes to keep our collections fresh and modern. Our slim straight jeans come in classic rigid indigo as well as eye-catching colors like burgundy and mustard. Our signature black denim has the perfect worn-in look right off the rack. And our chino joggers feature a soft-brushed finish that feels great on.
Over a decade later, the Vintage Genes Black® vision remains the same—delivering the most stylish fits with thoughtful details and premium fabrics. We want our customers to look and feel their best in our jeans, pants, and shorts, whether they’re running errands or enjoying a night out.
Our Denim
Great-fitting jeans start with great denim. Vintage Genes Black® sources the finest fabrics from top mills in the United States, Italy, and Japan. By carefully selecting and combining these premium denims, we craft bottoms that are soft yet structured, stretchy yet supportive.
Our versatile black denim has the perfect amount of give to mold comfortably to your shape. Our dark raw selvage denim breaks in naturally over time for a truly custom fit. And our lightweight denims feel substantial without being stiff. With sophisticated washes ranging from clean medium indigos to heavily whiskered and destroyed finishes, our denims transition seamlessly from day to night.
We also love experimenting with unique denim textures and colors. From our incredibly soft heather gray denim to vintage-inspired red cast denim, these eye-catching hues add flair to any ensemble. No matter which denim you choose, each pair is specially treated to preserve the authentic denim look and prevent excessive stretching. So you can be sure that amazing first-wear feel lasts.
Our Fits
Finding a great pair of jeans often means searching for the right fit. To make shopping easier, we engineered our jeans, pants, and shorts in the most stylish and flattering cuts.
Slim Straight
Our bestselling slim straight fit sits below the waist with a tailored but not overly snug thigh. The leg is trim through the knee and breaks slightly at the ankle, creating a leg-lengthening silhouette. This versatile fit works well on most body types.
Skinny
For those who prefer a body-hugging look, our skinny fit jeans have a slim tapered leg from hip to ankle. Made with premium stretch denims, these jeans mold to your shape while allowing full range of motion. The skinny is our slimmest fit.
Athletic Slim
With an easy straight leg and roomier cut through the hip and thigh, our athletic slim fit has a bit more room to move. The tapered leg opening balances the looser top block for a flattering silhouette. Great for guys with athletic builds.
Relaxed Straight
A more generous take on the straight leg, our relaxed fit has a loose thigh with a straight leg opening. The mid-rise sits slightly below your natural waist. Made from soft broken-in denims, this fit provides laidback comfort and style.
Jogger
Combining the comfort of sweats with the polish of chinos, our jogger fits have an easy relaxed thigh with cuffed hems. The stretch fabric and drawstring waistband ensure they move with you. Joggers come in both full length and as shorts.
Chino Short
For warm weather, we offer a range of shorts featuring chinos and casual utility fabrics like cotton ripstop. The shorts sit at the waist with a classic chino flat front and slim leg. Available in an array of colors from navy to pastels.
No matter your size, shape or style, Vintage Genes Black® has the perfect fit to help you look and feel your best. Choose from 28-46 inch waists including extended sizes. Most styles come in 28-36 inch inseams and can be hemmed for free in-store.
Responsible Manufacturing
Vintage Genes Black® is committed to operating ethically at every stage—from fabric sourcing and manufacturing to delivery. We strive to reduce our environmental impact and ensure safe, positive working conditions across our supply chain.
The majority of our products are thoughtfully crafted in our owned and operated factories in Los Angeles. By overseeing production end-to-end, we can closely monitor integrity. Our facilities run on renewable energy, and we implement eco-friendly practices like recycling water used in garment washing.
For our imported fabrics and select products, we work diligently to partner with suppliers that meet our strict standards. We conduct regular audits and site visits to guarantee fair wages and safe conditions. And we use cotton grown sustainably in the United States for many of our fabrics.
We also minimize waste by carefully planning production runs based on demand forecasting. Any excess denim is donated or recycled rather than discarded. Vintage Genes Black® will continue pushing forward on our sustainability journey to do our part in protecting people and the planet.
Giving Back
In addition to responsible manufacturing, corporate social responsibility is hugely important to us. Since our earliest days, Vintage Genes Black® has partnered with and donated to charities supporting causes close to our hearts.
Our ongoing collaboration with the Downtown Women’s Center in Los Angeles has helped hundreds of homeless and low-income women regain stability through counseling, job training, and housing assistance. We are also longtime supporters of Protect Our Winters, an environmental nonprofit working to combat climate change.
On a local level, we donate denim products each year to organizations like homeless shelters, LGBTQ youth centers, and job training programs. Providing stylish, quality clothing can help restore pride and empower people to reenter the workforce.
Giving back takes many forms at Vintage Genes Black®. From volunteering at food banks to sponsoring neighborhood events, our team loves supporting our vibrant communities. We consider it a privilege to use our resources to help others.
Stores
In addition to online, Vintage Genes Black® operates stores in select cities across the United States:
Los Angeles, California – Our flagship LA store is located downtown in the fashionable Arts District. Shop the full selection of VGB jeans, pants and shorts.
New York, New York – Located in trendy SoHo, our NYC shop features exclusive city-inspired styles.
Austin, Texas – Browse our collection in the heart of Austin on hip South Congress Avenue. The vintage vibe fits right in.
Chicago, Illinois – Check out our midwest store in the bustling Wicker Park neighborhood.
Seattle, Washington – Pioneer Square is home to our Pacific Northwest location downtown.
Our stores offer a premium shopping experience with knowledgeable staff that can help you find the perfect fit. Most locations also provide complimentary hemming and alterations. Visit a store near you to see and feel the Vintage Genes Black® difference.
Our Team
The passionate team behind Vintage Genes Black® infuses creativity, drive, and heart into everything we do. Meet some of the people that make VGB such an inspiring place to work:
John Morales – Founder & CEO
The creative visionary behind our brand, John’s lifelong love of fashion sparked the Vintage Genes Black® journey. His commitment to community and ethical manufacturing inform every decision. When he’s not leading the team, you can find John searching LA thrift shops for vintage treasures.
Maya Singh – Head Designer
With 15 years in the denim industry, Maya brings a wealth of design expertise to her role leading our product development. She has a knack for blending vintage style with contemporary details. Maya also oversees fit innovation and fabric sourcing.
John Cho – Marketing Director
As marketing director, John keeps our brand relevant through creative partnerships, digital content and events. He manages our influencer network along with photoshoots and campaigns. John’s the guy behind those cool ads you’ve probably seen on the side of buses and buildings.
Sophia Chen – Production Manager
Sophia ensures our garments are produced efficiently and meet rigorous quality standards. She works closely with our factories to implement sustainable practices and safe working conditions. With her engineering background, Sophia also incorporates innovative solutions into manufacturing.
Diego Reyes – Customer Experience Manager
Our stores, website, and customer service fall under Diego’s exceptional care. He strives to create welcoming experiences everywhere VGB connects with customers. Diego also gathers feedback to constantly improve how we meet customer needs.
These leaders, along with the rest of our driven team, love being part of the Vintage Genes Black® mission. Find open positions on our jobs page if you’re passionate about fashion and want to make an impact.
Looking Ahead
A lot has changed in the decade-plus since our Los Angeles garage origins. But the values at the core of Vintage Genes Black® remain the same. We’ll continue using premium fabrics to create fits that make you look and feel amazing. Our commitment to people and the planet will guide everything we do.
While the future holds exciting growth opportunities, our focus stays fixed on you, our customers. We can’t wait to bring more thoughtfully designed, responsibly made products your way. Thanks for being part of the journey!