MARKAWARE
Existence Co., Ltd. · Japan
MARKAWARE is a Japanese menswear label from Tokyo designed by Shunsuke Ishikawa since 2009. It makes tailoring, shirts and denim in Japan from traceable organic cotton, wool, alpaca and hemp.
| Founded | 2009 |
|---|---|
| Designer | Shunsuke Ishikawa |
| Company | Existence Co., Ltd. |
| Production | Made in Japan |
| Sister labels | marka, Text |
| Website | markaware.jp |
What is MARKAWARE?
MARKAWARE is a Tokyo menswear brand designed by Shunsuke Ishikawa and operated by Existence Co., Ltd. It debuted with the spring/summer 2009 season and is built around the idea of traceable, natural materials.
Products and positioning
The brand sources organic cotton, organic wool, alpaca and hemp from farms and mills in Peru, Argentina, Turkey and Uruguay, and has developed proprietary fabrics with Japanese spinners, including Organic Wool Survival Cloth. Garments are cut and sewn in Japan.
The range centres on refined everyday menswear:
- Tailored jackets and trousers
- Shirts and zip blousons
- Selvedge denim jeans and wide trousers
- Crew-neck T-shirts
Sister labels include marka and the knitwear label Text from Nakameguro.
Distribution
MARKAWARE is sold through specialist retailers in Japan and abroad, including pop-up events with stores such as AMERICAN RAG CIE, as well as online.
Why it matters
MARKAWARE is one of the Japanese menswear labels that made material traceability central to the product rather than a marketing add-on, combining organic fibres with domestic manufacturing.
Frequently asked questions
Who designs MARKAWARE?
MARKAWARE is designed by Shunsuke Ishikawa and debuted with the spring/summer 2009 season.
What is MARKAWARE known for?
It is known for Japan-made menswear using traceable organic cotton, wool, alpaca and hemp.