What’s the fuss about Japanese denim? Spotlight on eco-friendly genderless brands

Denim is a must-have for casual style, regardless of age or gender. With a wide range of denim items to choose from, selecting the right piece can be challenging. Many consider not only the design but also durability, versatility and sustainability when deciding what suits them best.

In recent years, Japanese denim has gained popularity, often described as the finest denim in the world. Let’s explore the reasons behind the popularity of Japanese denim and discover the latest genderless denim brands from Japan!

What is special about Japanese denim?

Japanese denim is known for its high quality. Okayama Prefecture, renowned for its top-notch denim, thrives in cotton cultivation, textile industries and school uniform production. Therefore, artisans possess expertise in crafting durable clothing that can last for 3-6 years.

During the 1960’s, as denim gained popularity, these traditional techniques integrated into denim manufacturing. Its detail-oriented stitching, dyeing processes and the use of carefully selected materials to ensure comfort are highly evaluated. In fact, many international high-end brands such as CHANEL, and GUCCI have introduced Japanese denim into their products.

In recent years, Japan has employed the skills to create sustainable denim by upcycling discarded denim scraps. Here are two denim brands that showcase this approach, offering gender-neutral designs that can be cherished for a lifetime.

Annaut: Distinctive light-blue denim

Annaut is an upcycled denim brand that emerged with a passion for minimizing the waste generated during traditional denim production. Their “Melange Denim” is crafted by blending indigo denim scraps with new cotton, resulting in unique light blue material. The gentle color offers a different impression from traditional dark denim, allowing for a fresh and unique fashion experience.

In contrast to traditional denim, the “Melange Denim” embodies lightness, softness and natural stretchiness, providing comfort when worn. Additionally, they offer black denim dyed with natural dyes made from logwood, a traditional black dye material used in Kyoto Prefecture for centuries.

With a focus on timeless and simple designs, Annaut is ideal for those seeking basic denim items that endure over time. Annaut is also committed to recycling damaged or worn-out clothing, giving them a new life as fresh products.

TSUG: Unique designs elevating your style

TSUG focuses on sustainability and borderless design that breaks down gender stereotypes. The brand collaborates with THE NEW DENIM PROJECT, a Guatemalan upcycling initiative aiming to change the conventional apparel industry.

The project utilizes discarded denim scraps, cotton and used clothing, turning them into raw materials for creating beautiful yarn, fabric and products. As Guatemala thrives in coffee production, TSUG donates any leftover cotton and scraps that can’t be turned into fabric to coffee plantations, contributing to returning them to the soil as organic compost.

While TSUG’s items may appear simple at first glance, their unique designs, such as distinctive buttons and color combinations, elevate them beyond basic styles, allowing for a stylish and individualistic look.

Many brands incorporate traditional craftsmanship into the production of modern fashion items, thereby preserving the craftsmanship and addressing social and environmental issues. If you haven’t tried it yet, I highly recommend experiencing Japanese denim.