In a world where fast fashion dominates and craftsmanship often takes a back seat, Blue Blanket cuts through the noise with something rarer: integrity. Founded by Italian denim archivist and designer Antonio Di Battista, the label blends heritage Americana with Japanese precision and Italian craftsmanship. The result? Raw selvedge pieces that feel more like artifacts than apparel.

 

 

Di Battista isn’t just designing jeans — he’s curating a narrative. With an archive of over 2,000 vintage garments and decades spent studying every rivet, stitch, and fade, his approach is obsessive in the best possible way. Blue Blanket isn’t about gimmicks or artificial wear — it’s about denim that evolves with you, naturally.

For those who respect the craft, live for the details, and want their clothes to have soul, Blue Blanket isn’t just a brand — it’s a philosophy. No frills. No fake fades. Just pure, purpose-driven design worn the way it was always meant to be: hard.

But behind the denim is a man with stories just as rich as the fades he obsesses over. We caught up with Antonio Di Battista to talk life, identity, and the passions that shaped his journey far beyond fashion.

 

 

TRS - If Blue Blanket were a dish on a restaurant menu, what would it be called and what would be in it?

ADB - Let me start by saying I’ve never been a big foodie. For me, food has always taken a back seat. So I’d definitely go for something simple — a traditional dish made with the best of Italy’s ingredients. I picture a plate of spaghetti with Sicilian cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and extra virgin olive oil. You could call it: The Essentials, With Flavor.

 

TRS - What’s the most unlikely thing that ever inspired a collection or a piece?

ADB - I might disappoint you here — but there hasn’t been any bizarre or far-fetched source of inspiration. Everything I do stems from real-life experiences. It could be something from the life of a cowboy, a way of living, the maritime world — you name it. Always real situations that spark something in me. I reimagine them in my own way, doing my best to bring them to life.

 

 

TRS - Every brand has its “what the hell was I thinking?” moment – what’s yours

ADB - “What the hell was I thinking?” is a recurring feeling for anyone who works in fashion — or at least for those of us who live it in obsessive detail. So yeah, it happens pretty much every season.
One standout moment? Sometimes in this industry, it’s trendy to say the right thing or stand behind a cause. Well, the moment I really thought “What the heck did I just say?” was when, in front of a panel of experts, I bluntly stated that using natural materials isn’t about saving the planet. Because the truth is — despite all the efforts — sustainability in fashion still doesn’t really exist. Especially in a world dominated by fast fashion, where tons of clothes are thrown away daily.

 

TRS - What did you want to be when you grew up? And how close did that end up being to what you do now?

ADB - As a kid, I was fascinated by the Wild West — cowboys and jeans. I used to watch western movies with my dad, totally captivated. I dreamed of meeting real cowboys, of living that life, even just for a day.
In a way, I made it happen. Designing clothing requires constant research, and that’s taken me on some pretty rough journeys, where I had to adapt and learn from very different realities — including cowboy culture. One of those trips was a memorable experience in Montana, where I met real cowboys.

 

 

 

TRS - You can swap wardrobes for a day with any fictional character. Who do you choose and why?

ADB - Let me just say, I wouldn’t swap closets with anyone — but if I absolutely had to, I’d trade with Peter Pan.

 

TRS - You’re given a time machine for one day — where (and when) do you go?

ADB - Easy. Los Angeles in the 1950s.

 

 

TRS - If Blue Blanket threw a party, what would the theme be and who would perform on stage?

ADB - The theme would be a 1940s speakeasy, with a live set featuring Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong, and Sinatra.

 

TRS - Is there a trend you really tried to like, but just couldn’t get into?

ADB - Never happened. I’ve always been pretty clear and confident about my taste.

 

TRS - In a parallel universe where Blue Blanket doesn’t exist, what other job would you be doing?

ADB - I’d probably be a musician.

 

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