Japanese Selvedge
To most people Kurabo, Nisshinbo, Kuroki, & Kaihara are exotic-sounding but largely meaningless words. To these same people, a pair of jeans is likely to be a nondescript commodity product- something to do the gardening in, or wear down to the pub. But then, on the flipside, there are others who will recognize these as the names of the four main mills producing denim in Japan, arguably home to the world's best denim.
Japanese denim is known for its premium construction and the skilled, artisanal craft required to make it. That Japan should be the source of the best take on what is a quintessentially American product may seem unlikely. But strangely, in Japan, World War II gave rise not to some desire to embrace a more homegrown look, but that of the occupying forces. It spawned a youth cult for all things Americana and, a few decades later, a fledgling Japanese fashion industry seeking to recreate American raw blue jeans better than the Americans.
In an effort to create the best possible product from the vision we have about what it means to dress in style, we sought out the Japanese. Their attention to detail, preservation of culture, and dedication to honoring their word was the formula AW would choose to lay a foundation for a high-end American brand. For us, there were virtually no downsides to including these power players in our supply chain.
Our Dyeing Process
Our fabric dyeing process uses a special eco-friendly dyeing method which reduces CO2 emissions by 50% compared to conventional methods and a washing process that is completely chemical-free. While it is typically a challenge to replicate the usual intensity with natural indigo dye, this method repeatedly dips the product in an indigo bath before resting it as many as 16 times to create an exceptionally intense hue. These selvedge denim materials made in Japan are organic, natural, & eco-friendly, making it the perfect choice for producing vintage denim jeans.
