phi. denim
phi. denim is a French and Japanese denim label launched in 2015 that makes selvedge jeans in Okayama, Japan. It is known for numbered jeans and back pockets cut from vintage kimono fabrics.
| Launched | 2015 |
|---|---|
| Origin | France and Japan |
| Production | Kojima, Okayama, Japan |
| Fabric | 14 oz selvedge denim |
| Website | phi-denim.com |
What is phi. denim?
phi. denim is a small French and Japanese jeans label that presents itself as a maker of authentic and timeless Japanese denim. It launched in 2015 with a four-person team splitting roles between Japan, where production and PR are handled, and Europe, where marketing, sales and product creation take place.
Products and positioning
The brand focuses on a redesigned five-pocket jean. Its first model used a low rise, relaxed top block and pronounced taper in 14 oz unsanforised, rope-dyed indigo selvedge denim woven in Okayama.
- Jeans cut and sewn in a small workshop in Kojima, Okayama
- Each pair numbered and marked with the initials of the person who cut and tailored it
- Back pockets made from kimono fabrics such as Koushi cotton and Asanoha silk, offered in limited quantities
- Selvedge edging with red and black detail
The kimono pocket concept limits volumes, since each kimono yields only a set number of pockets depending on its quality.
Why it matters
phi. denim is an example of a niche European label building its proposition on Japanese craft provenance, traceable production and limited editions, themes that resonate strongly in the premium raw denim market.
Frequently asked questions
Where is phi. denim made?
phi. denim jeans are made in a workshop in Kojima, Okayama, Japan, from denim woven in Okayama.
What is special about phi. denim jeans?
Each pair is numbered and initialled by its maker, and back pockets have been made from Japanese kimono fabrics.