EYES LOOK LEFT

Run from their home in Amsterdam, EYES LOOK LEFT is the independent project of husband-and-wife duo James and Eva.

Drawing on backgrounds in fashion and design, the pair launched the brand during the early months of the COVID pandemic, building it from their living room into a label recognised for its considered graphics and understated approach.

For Spring/Summer 2026, EYES LOOK LEFT joins forces with EDWIN on an exclusive edition of the MADE IN JAPAN Loose Fit, crafted from EDWIN’s signature Rainbow Selvedge denim. Released alongside the brand’s latest collection of tees, sweats and accessories, the collaboration reflects a shared appreciation for craftsmanship and thoughtful design.

To mark the release, we sat down with James and Eva to talk about the origins of EYES LOOK LEFT, building an independent brand from home, and navigating the creative process as partners in both work and life.

Q. Hey James and Eva, could you introduce yourself and tell us a bit something about your background?

James: I’m originally from the UK, but have been living in Amsterdam since 2016. My work background is pretty broad and includes work for Nike SB, Slam City Skates, Carhartt, Vans, and freelance design for a few skate shops. I've been completely obsessed with music since the age of 12

Eva: I was born and raised in The Hague, but I've lived in Amsterdam for half my life now. I’ve studied fashion design and styling, and I’m now working as a freelance creative, managing Amsterdam's most famous fabric and haberdashery shop: A. Boeken. But my most important job is raising two wonderful kids together with James.

Q. What does EYES LOOK LEFT stand for?

A. Hmm, well, there are many reasons for the name; it’s quite obviously a political reference, but also during interrogations, apparently, when lying, you look to the right… so we look left.

Q. TV tried to kill the radio, but it also brought a whole new visual world to the eyes. Elaborate on that, please:

A. Music is and always will be the biggest passion. Nothing moves us like music. Like we don’t have a choice, it’s just what happens, and we see that in our kids; our youngest (who is now 3) starts tapping, clapping or dancing (in time, which blows my mind) as soon as he hears music. With the introduction of MTV, a lot of extra shit suddenly mattered to people more than the actual music. Which is mostly negative in my mind. However, one of the good things was that you could see style, fashion from all around the world that you might not have seen otherwise. It’s the reason we did a “thank you, Ralph McDaniels” tee a couple of seasons ago. Look him up and see why he is so important to Hip-Hop culture!

It’s so normal now to get something out of your pocket and see images from all over the world posted seconds previously. TV was the first time the world was visually opened up, a visual revolution- how could that not influence/shape/inspire/distort how you had previously seen things?!

Q. On your website, you mention that your brand gets a lot of inspiration from music videos, magazines, films, etc. Can you name a few that inspired you and elaborate on that?

A. Waaaaay too many to give credit to, but important movies include: Goodfellas, Blade Runner, THX1138, 1984 and and and and Magazines like: Fatboss, The Source, HHC, Wax Poetics, Thrasher, R.A.D, Big Daddy, STRESS, Sky and and and and
Music:  an ENDLESS LIST! Tune into the EYES LOOK LEFT radio show on stranded.fm! Or listen back on SoundCloud / YouTube.

Q. Where does the inspiration for this recent drop come from?

A. Well, the way I approach graphics is much like the way I used to approach making beats. In some graphics, there can be 5 /10 different references or “samples”. I see things I want to translate into my version all the time, but it's very, very rare that I don’t add multiple other elements that may or may not have had the same feeling; once it's all mashed together, it works. With that, when you look at the graphics this season, there are quite obvious references to the unease in today’s world.

Q. What skills have you developed that you didn't expect to learn when you started your own brand?

James: Hmm, for the most part it's been as expected, but I'm learning separate skill sets and how they complement each other. Communication is key (in everything)

EVA: For me, I’m always searching for new things to do. My neurodiverse brain never sits still, so I am always learning new ways to do stuff or make things, like sewing techniques or pattern making.  

Q. What do you guys think of Denim in general, as a fabric and a product?

James: I think everyone in some way or form strives for luxury. Whatever luxury means to them. In fact, the design ethos behind the first hats we made was “cheap luxury” - meaning it doesn’t have to cost you the earth to make you feel good, if the materials / fit are right.This is something I think I first experienced in the denim world. I still remember the first time I wore raw selvedge denim; I felt like a millionaire. I felt different walking along the street. A good-fitting, high-quality pair of raw selvedge jeans still does this to me today.

EVA: I love denim and especially dry denim. From the origin of the cloth to the way the fabric ages. It’s, together with leather, the one fabric that gets more beautiful with age and carries a story with it that people want to tell. Where did it fade and why? The wear and tear of denim has something personal and imperfect in it that is so rare these days of filters and fillers. It’s the one garment that contains the life and soul of the one wearing it.

Q. What's the biggest challenge of running a clothing brand from home? That must come with certain challenges while also having a family together?

James:  Both having more than one other job, and we have two kids …..

Eva: I need more space because I love having dinner at the table with the fam, but at times  ELL (Eyes Look Left) makes this impossible.

Q. What's next for EYES LOOK LEFT?

James: Continuation of the journey. We have new stockists as of this current season; we are in the final sample stage of some footwear we have been working on, supporting more artists, and more radio shows.

Eva: I’m working on some accessories that need perfecting, made with some amazing fabric we sourced at Mood New York last year.

Thanks, James and Eva.

The EDWIN x EYES LOOK LEFT Loose Fit, crafted from our signature Rainbow Selvedge denim, is available for a limited time exclusively through EYES LOOK LEFT.