How Hiut Denim Saved a Town in Wales Through Fashion

Join us for a very special conversation with David Hieatt, co-founder of Hiut Denim. When the jeans factory in Cardigan, Wales closed down in 2002, 400 people lost their jobs. David Hiut and his wife Claire were determined to do something about it; so they started Hiut Denim whose purpose is to bring those jobs back – and build one of the most influential denim brands in the world. And when Princess Meghan Markle decided to wear their jeans, everything changed.

David Hieatt

Co-founder of Hiut Denim

Bankrupt at 16. Thrown out of college at 18. Joined Saatchi and Saatchi at 21. Had a ball. Left advertising to go back to Wales. Started howies in 1995. Sold it to Timberland. Left. Started The DO Lectures, which was voted one of the top 10 ideas festivals in the world by the Guardian.

And in 2012 started a company making jeans called The Hiut Denim Co. in his home town of Cardigan. A town that used to have Britain’s biggest jeans factory. Its purpose is to get 400 people their jobs back. As of today, it now employs 30 people.