Today we are continuing our story about customized Japanese denim speaking about one more denim label Momotaro.
Japan Blue Group can definitely compete with worlds most established denim brands despite the fact it is not yet very famous outside Japan. This holding unites four companies and all the stages of jeans manufacture from their production to retail. Collect Inc. Subsidiary plans, produces and sells traditional and innovative denim. Rampu-Ya Ltd. Is a so-called national creative community specializing in sewing and coloring and manufacturing the most authentic denim in Okayama. The fabric is colored with indigo by hand according to ancient coloring technologies. Momotaro Jeans represents made to measure jeans. Denim House department is an offline and online retailer of Japan Bleu Group jeans.
Japan Blue Group was established in Kurashiki, Okayama in 1996. The infrastructure of the company includes workshop Kurashiki Peeping Indigo, a sewing factory Momotaro, as well as a coloring and post-processing section called Akasaki. The coloring process in Rampu-Ya according to the ancient coloring technologies is based on collection of Polygonum tinctorum leaves, their drying and composting. A special raw material called sukomo is then prepared, this procedure takes 3 full months. Highly alkaline solution is made called lye; ashes of hard rock trees are dispensed in hot water. Then sukomo raw material is mixed with lye solution and lime in a maturing pit, after which drowned raw material sukomo is poured into dye-bath and a bit more lye solution is added. All this is being fermented and as a result the foamy mass is produced called Ai no hana (indigo flower). After the mass is stabilized it is ready for fabric coloring. It is worth mentioning that Rampu-Ya colors not only denim, but also other fabrics brought by the clients.
Denim for the most expensive tailor made jeans Momotaro is manufactured on wooden machines by hand. The fabric that is produced by this way is heavy, non-uniform, only 33 inches in width. Momotaro jeans are sewn on vintage Union Special machines.
Post-processing by Momotaro is also made by hand. For instance, jeans wash in dirty river water. However, enzyme wash and stone-washing are carried out by special machines.
Momotaro jeans collection includes four lines. High-end line is called Momotaro Jeans Gold Label. These jeans are made from the best materials by the best tailors according to traditional technologies. Copper Label is a more democratic brand, followed by Red Label and casual jeans brand Blue Label. G001-T jeans model by Gold Label have relaxed cut, are straight, high-waisted. However, the material they are made of is manufactured by hand on wooden machines and colored by natural indigo by hand. Such color is extremely long-lasting and gets additional shades as time goes by. Patch made of deer skin is engraved with Momotaro a popular character of Japanese folklore. Pockets lining is also colored with natural indigo. Jeans are made by hand for about a year starting from fabric coloring until ready-made denim creation is finished. G-003MB jeans model by Copper Label is made of 14,7-ounce sanforized Zimbabwe cotton denim. The patch is made of cow cantle skin on rivets. Jeans are finished setouti in flowing waters and are dried in the sun. MVPA01 customized jean model by Red Label is slim fit and low-waist. Indigo shade is characteristic for Momotaro jeans, the patch is made of lamb skin and the stitching is pink in color. A305-56 jeans by Blue Label are relaxed in fit and have back strap as well as thick loops. Jeans are made from 13-ounce selvedge denim.
