Denim Tales

The Five Shades of Indigo and Finishes

There's a phrase that says, "Sumi ni Gosai Ari," referring to the five shades of sumi ink.
In the art of ink wash painting, shades of ink are used to represent different hues, ranging from the deep color of calligraphy ink to the lightest shades that look almost like water.

Nou
Syou
Zyu
Tan
Sei

Similarly, our indigo is not just one color. For denim, the deepest shade of indigo,
濃 (Nou), is the darkest color. From there, a sequence of wash processes reveals a gradient of shades:
焦 (Syou), with distress marks;
重 (Zyu), which has undergone further processing to fade the color;
淡 (Tan), which has been lightened even more; and finally,
清 (Sei), with added damage effects, creating a gradient so varied that it's hard to believe it's the same denim.

This artistry is brought to life by denim craftsmen.
Techniques like "shaving" use sandpaper to literally shave the fabric, and "Jia" processing uses bleach to rub the material, creating realistic wear marks that mimic the natural story of someone actually wearing the jeans.

From wrinkles that form when sitting to frayed pocket edges, the imagination of these craftsmen weaves stories into the denim.

Denim Tale Continued

Denim Tales

The Art of Natural Ai Indigo-Dyed Belt Loops

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
Denim Tales

The Artistry of Denim: Fabric Innovations

At 45R, we pride ourselves on our uniquely named denim materials, ranging from thick and robust to thin and lightweight, encompassing an array of original designs.

Read More
Denim Records

Denim Journey Journal - Episode 3

Pauline Maklès, who has served as the general manager of our French stores since 2008, is a pivotal figure in 45R Europe. Having managed our locations in Saint-Honoré, Saint-Germain, and Le Marais, Pauline has significantly propelled our store development across Paris.

Read More
Denim Matsuri

Happi Coats: Celebrating Tradition and Brand Spirit

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
Denim Tales

White Denim

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
Denim Tales

Denim Masterful Repairs

Denim that has been worn and loved often develops holes, frayed hems, and worn pockets.

Read More
Denim Matsuri

Kawaraban Print

The launch of the 2024 Denim Second Chapter Collection marks the beginning of a series of in-store events known as Denim Matsuri, aimed at sharing our passion with more customers.

Read More
Denim Records

Denim Journey Journal - Episode 2

The launch of the 2024 Denim Second Chapter Collection marks the beginning of a series of in-store events known as Denim Matsuri, aimed at sharing our passion with more customers.

Read More
Denim Tales

The Power Loom Stamp

The gravity loom is indispensable in the creation of 45R's Japanese artisan denim. With only a few of these antique looms still operational in Japan, they have garnered worldwide attention for their rarity and historical significance.

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Denim Matsuri

The Three Treasures of Denim Matsuri

Many of you who have visited our 45R store are likely familiar with "Matsuri." This event, pulsing with energy, involves the entire team coming together as one. It's not just a store event; it's a traditional festivity for us. And the symbols of 45R Denim Matsuri are known as the Three Treasures.

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Denim Tales

Denim Styles

To mark the beginning of Denim Chapter II, we've assembled five distinctive designs. First, for true denim enthusiasts, we present Sorahikohime. This straight silhouette, built with rugged construction and minimal embellishment, stands as a hallmark of 45R's denim craftsmanship, stitched powerfully with thick cotton thread.

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Denim Tales

Patch

In the serene stance of prayer or the dignified seiza posture on tatami mats, lies the essence of the leather patch. Crafting a patch that seamlessly blends into the tapestry of Japanese landscapes has been a pivotal challenge we've embraced alongside the inception of our denim's second chapter.

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Denim Tales

Embroidery Thread

"I love ‘R’ embroidery. "These precious words were given to us by a customer. R embroidery is the emblem of 45R. We call this R embroidery "Sleeping R. " With its relaxed, horizontal form, it embodies richness and freedom.

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Denim Records

Denim Journey Journal - Episode 1

Hiroaki Maekawa Katachi Laboratory Department, Joined in 1998. Deeply connected to denim factories, with unparalleled love and knowledge for denim within the company.

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Denim Tales

Union Special

The sound of a sewing machine, "Whirr-whirr, whirr-whirr" echoes from the back of the shop. In 45R's store, denim hems are altered with an old sewing machine painted with "Union Special."

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Denim Sceneries

A Passion for Denim: The Story of One Notebook

Whenever a new denim release comes out, it is a must-buy for him. With a collection of over 70 pairs, Mr. Kenta Goto, also known as the original Denim Master at 45R, is a remarkable denim aficionado within our company. We had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Goto from the Appare division.

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Denim Tale Continued

Denim Tales

The Art of Natural Ai Indigo-Dyed Belt Loops

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
Denim Tales

The Artistry of Denim: Fabric Innovations

At 45R, we pride ourselves on our uniquely named denim materials, ranging from thick and robust to thin and lightweight, encompassing an array of original designs.

Read More
Denim Records

Denim Journey Journal - Episode 3

Pauline Maklès, who has served as the general manager of our French stores since 2008, is a pivotal figure in 45R Europe. Having managed our locations in Saint-Honoré, Saint-Germain, and Le Marais, Pauline has significantly propelled our store development across Paris.

Read More
Denim Matsuri

Happi Coats: Celebrating Tradition and Brand Spirit

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
Denim Tales

White Denim

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
Denim Tales

Denim Masterful Repairs

Denim that has been worn and loved often develops holes, frayed hems, and worn pockets.

Read More
Denim Matsuri

Kawaraban Print

The launch of the 2024 Denim Second Chapter Collection marks the beginning of a series of in-store events known as Denim Matsuri, aimed at sharing our passion with more customers.

Read More