JAPAN BLUE JEANS
JAPAN BLUE JEANS is a denim brand from Kojima, Japan, created by the fabric manufacturer Collect Mills. It makes premium jeans and jackets from its own Japanese denim fabrics.
| Base | Kojima, Okayama, Japan |
|---|---|
| Parent | Collect (fabric mill) |
| Core line | CIRCLE jeans |
| Cotton | Côte d'Ivoire |
| Website | japanblue-jeans.com |
What is Japan Blue Jeans?
JAPAN BLUE JEANS is the jeans brand of Collect, a denim fabric manufacturer based in Kojima, the town in Okayama Prefecture known as the centre of Japanese jeans making. The brand turns the mill's fabric expertise into finished jeans and jackets.
History
The brand was started by Mr Kishimoto, who spent 13 years at Collect learning planning, production, sales, threads, dyeing and weaving. It grew out of jeans samples the mill showed at Denim by Première Vision, where buyers asked to purchase them. Japan Blue Jeans marked its tenth anniversary in 2021 and initially focused on overseas markets, particularly Europe and the United States.
Products and positioning
- CIRCLE jeans with a curved waistband and contemporary fit
- Selvedge denim made from Côte d'Ivoire cotton
- Sashiko fabrics and jackets
- Banana denim and Fairtrade materials
Distribution
As of 2021 the brand operated five flagship stores, including one in a renovated traditional house in Kojima, one franchise store, and more than 200 retailers in Japan, alongside international stockists.
Why it matters
Japan Blue Jeans is a clear case of a Japanese mill moving downstream into its own consumer brand, using fabric sourcing such as single origin cotton as its story.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Japan Blue Jeans from?
Japan Blue Jeans is from Kojima in Okayama Prefecture, Japan's best known jeans making town.
Who makes Japan Blue Jeans?
The brand was created by the Kojima denim fabric manufacturer Collect.