Australian-based motorcycle clothing company Saint is claiming a world first.
It has announced the creation of the world's strongest single layer denim fabric.
Founders Mike Lelloitt and Aidan Clarke said they have spent millions on R&D over the past 12 months to create the fabric.
Clarke is the co-founder of activewear brand 2XU and Lelloitt has previously helmed Crumpler as creative director.
"At Saint we are all about designing unique fabrics that blend ballistic fibers with natural fibers to create all day wearable, fashion forward men's and women's wardrobes," Lelloitt said.
Saint’s 'Unbreakable Denim' is woven with a double warp beam.
Lelloitt said this allows them to weave the world’s strongest finer including, Dyneema’s® UHMWPE, in the warp and weft while having a denim face.
The result is a denim with 360º torsional strength, motorcycle tested impact, burst and abrasion resilience.
“Our single layer denim range borrows ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), and leaps past the 4 second CE motorcycle apparel safety rating at an incredible 5.9seconds or nearly 75 metres without tearing," Lelliott said.
He said these figures are normally reserved for heavy leathers, or thick double layer solutions that line denim with a second or third layer of protective material like terry kevlar fabric.
Saint achieves this with a light and cool single layer denim, he added.
"As a designer I’m all about disrupting the status quo and making a tangible difference. This is everything Saint is about. This new category of apparel wakes us up in the morning, and keeps us smiling at night. It is an exciting uncharted map – and we are the explorers."
Saint has already expanded into overseas markets, with the US its biggest export destination.
“We’ve had all sorts of customers including a $17,000 order from a Saudi Prince," Lelliott said.
Saint is working on further R&D and the opening of a new Melbourne flagship later this year.
Saint’s Unbreakable Denim range is available online at saint.cc.