Denim Sceneries

Belief in Quality:

The Ethos of Fox Brothers and 45R

Mr. Douglas Cordeaux is the CEO of Fox Brothers & Co Ltd, a mill in the southwest of England that dates back to 1772. As one of the oldest textile mills in the region, Fox Brothers is renowned for its invention of flannel, their absolute heritage cloth. For about the last decade, we at 45R have had the privilege of collaborating with them on a selection of wool products, upholding a shared tradition of quality craftsmanship.

Mr. Douglas Cordeaux, CEO of FOX Brothers

On Discovering 45R

"When I first discovered 45R, it was more than twenty years ago, during my time living in New York, when they had a shop there. I remember walking in, and the entire experience was incredible—the scent of Ai Indigo and handcraft, the cobblestones in the store cleansed by the sprinkled water, and the deep philosophy behind the garments. It felt almost like a theatrical experience, something very spiritual. It was the first time I was truly inspired by a shop. To this day, I still treasure every piece of clothing I bought from that New York store."

Mr. Douglas Cordeaux's 45R denim, purchased more than twenty years ago at the Soho store in New York.

Douglas has worn his 45R denim for more than two decades, and it is currently being repaired at Manzoku Atelier*—a repair service offered by 45R. His dedication to each garment was evident.

"I know what quality truly is. Unfortunately, the word 'luxury' is used in a somewhat misguided way, where many perceive luxury as simply being really expensive. For me, true luxury is about quality that holds real value."

*Currently available only at stores in Japan

"Today, I bought two pairs of denim at the Badou-R flagship store—one for myself and one as a gift for my 18-year-old son. I hope this will be a chance for him to learn how things are made and to understand quality. I thought it was the perfect present to get him into the mind of 45R."

On Styling

A quick glance at Douglas’s Instagram reveals his impeccable British-style suits. On this particular day in Tokyo, with temperatures soaring close to 35°C, Douglas effortlessly donned a navy double-breasted suit with a white pocket square, looking refreshingly sharp. So, when does he wear denim?

"When I turned 40, I made a rule for myself—I wouldn't wear denim during the week, only on weekends. In winter, I tend to wear denim with a Fox Brothers utility jacket made from our natural heavy wool, paired with Paraboot shoes. I like to style them with a chambray or moleskin shirt. One of the nicest combinations, if you don’t want to be too formal, is 45R denim with a blue hopsack blazer from Fox Brothers, paired with cordovan shoes and either a white or chambray shirt. It’s a really lovely contemporary look."

This denim is intended to be cultivated by the wearer, offering a unique journey of change and delight through prolonged use. It's our hope that this process becomes a cherished part of our customers' experience with our denim.

45R and Fox Brothers

"For me, I’ve always wanted to understand what goes on behind the scenes at 45R, and the more I’ve learned, the more I’ve come to love it. I love the whole ethos of the company, and your attention to detail is off the scale—second to none. When I first got into denim, there were very few people doing it well. Now, there are many brands making Japanese denim, but for me, 45R are the originators."

When the 45R team visited Fox Brothers in the UK, Douglas wore a glen check suit that had been carefully patched, reflecting his appreciation in cherishing and maintaining garments. This is the same philosophy as caring for worn denim by repairing and continuing to wear it. At the end of the interview, Douglas shared:
"The idea of people wearing clothes once or twice and then throwing them away, regardless of their price, is simply not a good concept at all."

His dedication to each garment was evident—a testament to the craftsmanship that breathes life into every piece, resonating deeply with 45R’s philosophy. In every stitch and in every repair, there is a lasting value—a reflection of the care and attention that defines true quality.

Denim Tale Continued

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At 45R, we cherish the less noticeable aspects of clothing, such as the backs and the insides, infusing thought and care into every detail.

Read More
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Read More
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Read More
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In Japan, the festive garment synonymous with cultural celebrations is the happi coat. Our happi coats were first tailored over a decade ago as the official attire for revelers at the Matsuri (festival) event held at our Tokyo flagship store,

Read More
Denim Matsuri

Appare Crafted Denim

Appare... A state of being remarkably splendid, impressive. The boldly applied patchwork and brightly

Read More
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Just as pristine as a white coat or as transparent as a Khadi blouse, the image of white varies with its shades and intensity. Our White Denim embodies a warm, rustic white that pairs well with both summer and winter outfits, offering versatile off-white hues.

Read More
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Read More
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