Q&A with Michael Eigen aka @michael.ow.en

If you’ve been following this series, you’ll have read countless times already that one of the key attractions of Instagram for denimheads is how it’s bringing people together.

You get to know people from all around the world that share your passion. And sometimes, you get to hang out in real life too. That’s what happened at Denim Days in Amsterdam last October, where I met so many of the people I’ve come to know over the past couple of years.

One of them was Michael Eigen, or as you might know him better, @michael.ow.en. Here’s his story.

What’s your story

Name: Michael Eigen

Birth year: 1984

Location: Würzburg and Wolfsburg, Germany

Profession: Mechanical engineer

Michael’s Instagram Routines and Highlights

Thomas: How did it all start with your Instagram feed?

Michael: It all started about three years ago when I bought my first pair of Red Wings after a colleague at work recommended them.

I tried to find out what a worn in pair looks after a while and found all theses lovely feeds on Instagram. At first, I was just lurking around and following other people, and then I made my first post about two and a half years ago.

T: Why Instagram? What are your goals?

M: For me, it’s definitely just for fun. I hope to meet more of my Instagram friends in real life in the future.

One of the best events I’ve been to last year was the Denim Days in Amsterdam where I met so many great people and found some new friends.

The best experience was to stay in an AirBnB with my friends from the LADenimHangs crew, Frank and Joe, who I met for the very first time there.

T: How much time do you spend on Instagram on a daily basis?

M: Hard to say. I think on average about two hours a day.

T: How do you take your photos?

M: Most of my pictures I take with my phone (a Galaxy S7). If I have a lot of time, I use a Canon D90 with a self-timer.

T: Which tools do you use?

M: Just the Instagram editing tools

T: What’s your editorial flow?

M: At the moment, there’s no flow. I try to post when I have the time to. Most of my posts are spontaneous.

T: What are your favourite locations to take photos? And why?

M: I really like taking pictures outdoors. I often take them when I’m on my way to the train station or at the train station (I commute 400 kilometres between work and home every week). When the trains are delayed (which happens very often here ?), I have some spare time to take and edit my pictures.

Michael’s Denim Style and Preferences

T: How did you get into denim?

M: I was talking to that colleague who got me into Red Wings about sustainable and handcrafted clothing, and he introduced me to the raw denim thing. He told me Nudie’s selvedge denim jeans are the perfect place to start (and they were), so I went and got my first pair.

T: What’s your favourite feature of jeans?

M: There are so many things. First of all, they’re versatile. I can wear them at home, at the office, partying and so on. I really love the different textures and how they develop with time, and of course the selvedge line, which makes them special.

T: How do you wash your denim?

M: When they start to smell, I give them a soak or sometimes a cold machine wash. In my opinion, it’s not very friendly not to wash them if you are in an office with ten or more people. But I try not to wash them as long as I could ?

T: What’s your favourite fit?

M: It’s really hard to find one. I love tight leg openings (16.5-17 cm) because It looks best with boots, and I need more space at the thighs because of regular leg days at the gym.

My favourite denim at the moment is my Blaumann for Stuf|f special edition, which was perfectly tapered by Johan Ruttloff.

T: Which boots and leather goods do you wear with your denim?

M: Most of my leather goods are boots from Truman Boot Company because they have fantastic looking leathers and makeups, and of course Red Wings. And I really love my belt from Isaac.

T: Which sneakers do you wear?

M: I have a pair of Asics Onitsuka Tiger, Chucks, Reebok Nanos and adidas Lifters. But I do not wear them regularly outside of the gym.

T: Favourite item that’s not denim or leather?

M: I’m a big fan of mechanical watches and old cars and bikes.

T: Where do you buy your gear?

M: Most of my gear I get from Michl at Quartier97 in Würzburg. He’s a real denimhead who runs a nice little shop in the city with a great selection.

Another store to mention is Stuf|f in Düsseldorf. I’ve never been there in person but the customer service over email and the phone is from another world. And there is always a piece you don’t have in your collection ?

T: What styling tips would you give your followers if they wanted your style?

M: Less quantity, more quality. Wear what you like and do not think about other people. And … you can’t go wrong with indigo ?

Ready for More Q&As?

If you’d like to read more personal stories and Q&As, you can check out all the previous ones right here. Want to make sure you never miss one? Sign up for the free weekly Denimhunters email newsletter.