Which denim brand, founded in 1989, is known for the Elwood 3D jean?

G-Star Raw, founded in 1989, is known for the Elwood 3D jean.

The Dutch brand began as Gap Star and changed its name to G-Star in 1996. It developed a reputation for raw denim, experimental construction, and designs that treated jeans as engineered garments. The Elwood, introduced in 1996, used articulated seams and shaped panels inspired by motorcycle clothing.

The 3D design was intended to follow the body’s natural movement rather than hang as a flat, traditional trouser. That approach helped G-Star stand out in the premium-denim market and became one of its signature design ideas.

Some readers confuse G-Star’s founding year with its 1996 name change or with the launch of the Elwood. These are separate milestones: the company dates to 1989, the G-Star name to 1996, and the Elwood’s debut also to the 1990s.