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

Nando Nando: The Dual Indigo Secret Behind Its Unique Aging

A denim crafted with intention, Nando Nando represents a deep commitment to the art of indigo. Unlike conventional denim, where the weft threads remain undyed, the Nando Nando fabric uses indigo-dyed yarns for both warp and weft.

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Denim Sceneries

Belief in Quality: The Ethos of Fox Brothers and 45R

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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,

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Denim Matsuri

Appare Crafted Denim

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

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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.

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