Nestled in Okayama Prefecture, Japan - a region celebrated for its denim craftsmanship = the Nihon Menpu mill remains dedicated to production methods and technologies from the previous century. This commitment to tradition caught the attention of designer Frank Muytjens, a creative force behind the American brand J.Crew. He selected this mill as the primary fabric supplier for J.Crew's vintage-inspired Wallace & Barnes jeans line.
"When it comes to denim, I always lean toward what is classic and reliable," Frank remarked. "Denim carries a rich historical legacy, and every pair of jeans should pay homage to that." This philosophy led him to Nihon Menpu, one of the few remaining mills worldwide still using indigo-dyeing and weaving techniques rooted in the 1920s.
Nihon Menpu initiates its process by immersing cotton threads in a dye bath (with a secret formula), weaving them into fabric at a painstakingly slow pace. The outcome is a lightweight, soft fabric with a distinctively natural look.
While this is the remarkable product of the Japanese mill, crafting refined and masculine straight-leg jeans also hinges on Frank Muytjens' design expertise! The model featured in the photo below is Frank himself, proudly showcasing his Wallace & Barnes jeans line.
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