The Making of Our Washed Suvin Cotton Denim

Crafted with Character

Rooted in the heart of Japan’s denim industry, Kojima in Okayama is known for its long-standing commitment to craftsmanship and tradition. With over a century of textile history, the region is celebrated for its artisanal approach to denim—balancing heritage with quiet innovation.

This washed version of our Suvin Cotton Selvedge Denim builds on that foundation. Softer to the touch and ready to wear from day one, it captures the look and feel of well-worn workwear, while maintaining the strength, breathability, and comfort of the original. A timeless staple—built to last and made to move.

Whiskers and Wear

To bring out this authentic, timeworn character, each garment undergoes a series of specialized hand-finishing techniques. The process begins with hand-sanding, where skilled artisans carefully abrade the fabric at the front whiskers and behind the knees, producing a three-dimensional “hachinosu” or beehive effect. This highly tactile step sets the foundation for the denim’s final texture and tone. It is followed by a scraping process, where an electric planer lightly shaves the surface of the fabric, enhancing depth and creating a coarse, broken-in finish.

Texture, Tone, and Time

The garment is then enzyme-washed to soften the fabric and subtly fade areas of wear, creating a natural, lived-in patina. Controlled heat and water levels protect the fibres and shape the fabric, leading to gentle puckering along the seams. After drying, artisans add final hand-finished details like whiskering and hem abrasion, followed by a light bleach treatment to refine the overall tone, contrast, and texture.

Director: Norihisa Hayashi | Photographer / Videographer: Mitsuhiko Nakanishi

Copy: Samuel Gunton

Special Thanks: Dai Nihata, Tomohisa Heya

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