Imogene + Willie has pushed the boundaries of the American denim industry with the release of its latest jeans under the brand’s ongoing Cotton Project. The initiative is dedicated to growing, processing, and manufacturing cotton entirely within the Southeast United States.

The jeans are made from single-origin inputs, all sourced within a 400-mile radius of the brand’s Nashville base. The denim fabric itself was produced by Mount Vernon Mills in Trion, Georgia, the largest denim manufacturer in the U.S.

“This has always been a dream for us,” said K.P. McNeill, CEO of Imogene + Willie. “As a denim brand at heart, working with local, natural indigo and partnering with both Stony Creek Colors and Mount Vernon has been a long-standing goal.”

This marks the first time Mount Vernon has used natural indigo in its production. Because natural indigo is significantly more expensive than synthetic alternatives, undertaking this process at scale in the U.S. is particularly rare.

The collaboration was made possible through the brand’s longstanding relationship with Dale McCollum, a 50-year Mount Vernon veteran who recently retired. McNeill credited the mill for taking a chance on an unconventional project, calling Mount Vernon “the hero of the story” for adapting and staying relevant in a shifting supply chain landscape.

To honor Mount Vernon’s heritage, the collection features two classic workwear styles: the Hencye, a double-knee pant for men, and the Augusta, a carpenter-style pant for women. Both styles are washed for a soft, worn-in look and are priced at \$265, fitting within the brand’s \$235–\$325 denim price range.