HMS Washing Launches New Tool for DIY Denim
A new tool by Bayer-HMS Washing puts creativity back in the hands of customers.
The Turkish company, which offers eco-friendlier pumice stone alternatives, launched the HMS Designer Pen, a crayon-like stick that allows consumers to customize their denim fades at home.
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Though simple, the company said the Designer Pen has the potential to redefine how consumers engage with their denim.
The stone pen has a sandpaper effect on denim, enabling consumers to make precise whisker patterns that will wash down over time. They can also use the pen to make intricate drawings or to imprint the texture of an item, said Beyza Baykan, founder and managing director of Baytech-HMS Washing.
The “ahh” moment that led to the Designer Pen was inspired by Una Pluma’s unconventional use of HMS stones.
The Portland, Ore.-based independent women’s brand reached out to the company for washing their first denim collection in a sustainable way. HMS stones disintegrates much slower and consumes 15-20 percent less water compared to pumice stones. In 2023, Una Pluma imported 200kg of HMS Washing stones from Turkey to Nepal to make the collection.
In addition to using HMS stones for the denim collection, Una Pluma used them to create patterns on a range of table top accessories like denim placemats and coasters. This led to the idea to create an easy-to-use and accessible pen for DIY projects.
The tool is made from the waste created while making HMS stones, which then gets molded it into the pen shape. Baykan said more shapes and tools are in the pipeline.
The tool is easy to use and delivers consistent results, which HMS Washing tested with designers. It works best on unwashed and coarse denim. “You will get the best results if you use the pen on raw and rigid denim,” Baykan added. The strength and the amount of repetition will define the level of fade.
While the new product has not been time-tested yet, Baykan anticipates that one pen can last years. “Even when the surface is worn off after a lot of use, the pen is porous just like HMS, so it’s bumpy and abrasive throughout use,” she said.
The pen retails for $25 and is now on the HMS website. It is available in five decorative colors which do not transfers to the fabric.
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