This isn't a product highlight insomuch as it's a brand highlight. Given most of the production process, except for the fabric/material, is similar with each pair of Japan Blue Jeans, we'll break down each of the four stages of production to help you appreciate the dedication, care & quality that goes into each pair of jeans. By integrating all elements of production into one company, the Japan Blue Group is able to tightly control every part of their process, guaranteeing the quality of the final products.
Cotton: Having started their business as a fabric maker in Kojima, Okayama, Japan in 1992, Collect Co. Ltd decided to launch Japan Blue Jeans in 2010. By feeling the different pairs of jeans you can really tell the difference in cottons that Japan Blue uses. As their moto states, Cotton is a key factor to materials. They've studied various combinations of high quality cotton and maximize the good characteristics of each pair. We have three different fabrics (across four distinct pairs) and each one has it's own characteristics:
- 14.8oz Texas Cotton - The tough American cotton allows for the stronger yarn, as well as giving it a nice deep indigo colour when dyed.
- 14oz Zimbabwe x Memphis Cotton - Great balance between the softness and tense. This ages beautifully over time.
- 13.5oz Cote d'Ivoire Cotton: Handpicked cotton giving it a texture of handwoven cotton.
Weave: Selvedge (or Selvage) denim has become very popular over the last 10-15 years. Selvedge is a self-finished edge of the fabric. The selvage keep the fabric from unraveling or fraying and is a result of how the fabric is created. Selvedge denim is created on vintage looms called selvedge looms (or shuttle looms). However, good denim is not just a question of a selvedge outseam. To weave denim with a soft feel and without damaging the fabric, production requires master craftsmanship. Selvedge looms, together with master craftsmanship create some of the best denim in the world.
Dyeing: The white core of the yarn is an essential part of the aging of denim. Japan Blue uses a method of yard dyeing called Rope Dyeing. Originally rope dyeing was developed for mass production but the white core of the yarn was not the end goal. During the 1990's Vintage boom, a shift to the importance of Rope Dyeing occurred. Japan Blue values the fading of the denim and by process of trial and error have landed on the best fade. They study cotton, the spinning process and weave that is best suited to Rope Dyeing. They create jeans which enjoy various stages of aging.
Sewing: The special vintage sewing machines used by Japan Blue are at the essence of their jeans. Union Special Corporation machines have been used in jean production in the United States. Japan began importing these machines during the jean boom but in the late 1970's standard sewing machines began to supersede Union Special. The main difference between the two are the aging of the hem, twist of the rolled seam, seam puckering, etc. Japan Blue has gathered and uses Union Specials and with their artisans are sewing amazing jeans.
