29 October 2026International edition
Vol. I · No.
29 October 2026
AI IN FASHION
DAILY
The daily briefing on AI in the fashion business
Where fashion meets artificial intelligence.
Denim and casualwear

45R

Japan

45R is a Japanese clothing brand based in Tokyo, known for indigo-dyed denim and handcrafted casual wear. It produces small batches using hand-spun yarns, hand-woven fabrics and natural ai indigo.

Facts
HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
SignatureNatural ai indigo
ProductionSmall-batch, handcrafted
RetailOwn stores in Japan and abroad
Website45rglobal.com
Segment
Luxury
Categories
WomenswearMenswearDenim
Sales channels
Own storesE-commerce

What is 45R?

45R is a Tokyo-based clothing company with a focus on indigo and craft. It was among the first companies to bring high-end Japanese denim to markets such as the United States in the 1980s. The brand does not advertise and is associated with the slow fashion movement.

Products and positioning

The collections cover denim and casual clothing including polos, jackets, shirts and linen deck shoes. Designs blend traditional garments with influences such as naval and hiking wear. Craft defines production:

  • Yarns often hand-spun and fabrics hand-woven
  • Denim hand-dyed, with organic ai indigo central to the brand
  • A project with 11 indigo artisans across Japan to dye garments
  • Small-batch production

Prices are high, reflecting materials, craftsmanship and small runs.

Retail

45R operates a Tokyo flagship and a store in Aoyama where indigo dyeing takes place, and has run stores abroad, including in New York, Singapore and Hawaii. It also sells through an international online store.

Why it matters

45R is a benchmark for Japanese craft denim, demonstrating how traditional dyeing and weaving can underpin a luxury casualwear proposition.

Frequently asked questions

Where is 45R from?

45R is a Japanese clothing brand based in Tokyo.

What is 45R known for?

45R is known for indigo-dyed denim and handcrafted casual wear made from hand-spun and hand-woven fabrics.

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