The Okayama Project

nik.mercer — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:27:44 -0700

Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka are Japan's most notable cities, but the southern Honshu metropolis of Okayama is just as exciting and bustling as the main tourist hot spots. The selvage denim craze that's taken American by storm is thanks in large part to Okayama-based jean producers.

"Four hours southwest of Tokyo by bullet train, Okayama is home to more than 100 family-owned denim factories. The region has been a center of textile production since the 17th century and many of the ancient methods are still in use today."

The Diesel Denim Gallery has made an inevitable "pilgrimage" to Okayama to appropriately hail the home of Japanese jeans. For the "Okayama Project" gallery, as it's aptly dubbed, Diesel commissioned 14 oz. denim to be exclusively woven and hand dyed with natural indigo. "Devotees can choose from pure indigo or a washed version with yellow overtones. A dedicated label reads: 'Handcrafted in Okayama, Japan.'" As an extra-special finishing touch, the jeans are packaged in a traditional rice paper bag.