Darn Good Jeans
From a young age I was always outside, riding horses, working on the property, been a kid. The jeans idea came to me years later while working on the Barkly Tablelands in QLD on Headingly Station in 2017. I had spent years on the Barkly, in the Kimberley’s, at college in Victoria and working across different states, all within the agriculture industry. I was also getting into photography at the time, but not passionate enough to pursue it seriously. I was in a transient stage of my life, doing what I loved but knowing I wanted to move forward and create my own future.
The idea came about because women were struggling for choice in denim and often reached for men’s jeans as the more practical option for work. After months of chasing my tail with limited leads, the idea felt daunting and unrealistic. I took a job in the Kimberley’s and put it down.
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The following year, while still in the Kimberley’s, the idea kept niggling at me. I made a few more calls and began the hunt to create the best work and riding jeans. Before I knew it, I was flying to Melbourne for my first meeting. That was when I realised there was real hope in making top-quality denim.
My dream to replace what had been lost to years of fast fashion was gaining traction. Today, I still work with the same team I first connected with in 2017. A very special group who are hardworking, fun and love doing their job well, qualities that align with my jeans and the people who wear them.
My goal was to bridge the gap between the quality of high-priced Australian fashion labels and the western wear available to us in the bush. Once I knew I could make quality workwear jeans in Australia and globally, it became addictive. I love seeing women try them on for the first time and their reaction to the fit and quality. I also love Chute 9 being worn not just for work, but as a stylish jean. I still dabble in photography and often shoot my own campaigns.
My ties to Australia remain strong. I work closely with my Melbourne team weekly, developing and producing jeans here, or both. Our current Australian-made jean is the Tanami.
I’m now based in Dalby, QLD, having chosen stability for my brand over the ‘gypsy’ life to give the jeans the best shot. I’m on the Dalby Stock Horse Sale and Campdraft committees, still work with cattle and horses, compete in campdrafts, and travel the country taking my jeans to events and meeting customers. CHUTE 9 is located on Dalby’s main street, where you can pull in and try them on for yourself.
2019
In 2019, after over 12 months of denim, patterns, fittings, meetings, tears and more I finally came up with the ORIGINAL jeans.
The OG’s as they affectionally became known as. I had 6 pairs made and sent them out to girls who I knew would wear them very unapologetically. The best way to test them out!
2020
Our first production run was 120 pairs, after a few final tweaks, they went live in July. In the first week, we sold 87 pairs, and within a month, we had completely sold out.
This gave me the confidence in my product and the motivation to keep going. With our first 1,000 metres of denim purchased, we set our sights on the future, ready to restock, grow, and keep the jeans coming!
2021
I left my full time job and took outside work on a contract basis while I juggled the balance between my day job and growing the jeans.
We did our second restock of 300 pairs in March, then unfortunately didn’t get another restock out that year. I took up leather work to keep the brand alive, selling belts, bridles, clutches and handbags.
2022
Another slow year but we finally got restocked just in time to do our first trade site at the Dalby Stock Horse Sale ! The leather work continued.
2023
Our denim was discontinued so we could no longer make the Originals, my OG’s. The end of the first era for CHUTE 9. We did not get any new jeans out this year. The 12 months was spent going back to the drawing board, developing new styles to replace the OG’s.
These styles eventually became the Barkly’s, the Kimberley’s and the Tanami’s. We moved into our premises in downtown Dalby.
2024
Restock in January! The first release of our beloved Barkly jean. We air freighted these in to speed up the process for our also beloved customers.
Following this we released the Kimberley’s and then the Tanami jeans. When it rains it pours! We started attending trade sites again. Things were looking up. I sold all my leather tools to focus on the jeans.
NOW
Always perfecting existing styles because nothing is ever finished. We have the first of the Men’s line coming along and hoping to release them in 2026. A new website and lots of trade sites.
2019
In 2019, after over 12 months of denim, patterns, fittings, meetings, tears and more I finally came up with the ORIGINAL jeans.
The OG’s as they affectionally became known as. I had 6 pairs made and sent them out to girls who I knew would wear them very unapologetically. The best way to test them out!
2020
Our first production run was 120 pairs, after a few final tweaks, they went live in July. In the first week, we sold 87 pairs, and within a month, we had completely sold out.
This gave me the confidence in my product and the motivation to keep going. With our first 1,000 metres of denim purchased, we set our sights on the future, ready to restock, grow, and keep the jeans coming!
2021
I left my full time job and took outside work on a contract basis while I juggled the balance between my day job and growing the jeans.
We did our second restock of 300 pairs in March, then unfortunately didn’t get another restock out that year. I took up leather work to keep the brand alive, selling belts, bridles, clutches and handbags.
2022
Another slow year but we finally got restocked just in time to do our first trade site at the Dalby Stock Horse Sale ! The leather work continued.
2023
Our denim was discontinued so we could no longer make the Originals, my OG’s. The end of the first era for CHUTE 9. We did not get any new jeans out this year. The 12 months was spent going back to the drawing board, developing new styles to replace the OG’s.
These styles eventually became the Barkly’s, the Kimberley’s and the Tanami’s. We moved into our premises in downtown Dalby.
2024
Restock in January! The first release of our beloved Barkly jean. We air freighted these in to speed up the process for our also beloved customers.
Following this we released the Kimberley’s and then the Tanami jeans. When it rains it pours! We started attending trade sites again. Things were looking up. I sold all my leather tools to focus on the jeans.
NOW
Always perfecting existing styles because nothing is ever finished. We have the first of the Men’s line coming along and hoping to release them in 2026. A new website and lots of trade sites.
Denim Mills Leading The Way
Our denim is crafted in mills leading the way in quality and innovation, with a thoughtful, eco-conscious approach. Every step is designed to conserve resources and minimise waste wherever possible.
The cotton we use comes exclusively from suppliers who meet international standards, provide fair wages, and uphold safe, ethical working conditions.
With CHUTE 9, you can wear your jeans with pride, knowing your purchase respects the planet and its people.
When sourcing our mills we only work with business that share the same values as we do. Our Denim mill in Italy is renowned for its craftsmanship and exceptional quality. It has been operating for over 88 years and shares our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and craftsmanship. Our Italian denim can be seen in our Kimberley style jeans. Our mill in Turkey has been operating for over 70 years. Sustainability, transparency, and quality are at the heart of their philosophy. The Turkish denim is found in our Barkly & Tanami style
