In the footsteps of Edwin Jeans - A brief look into the history of Japanese denim culture

The story of Edwin Jeans is a fascinating look into the post-war era and the emergence of denim culture in Japan. At a time when denim was predominantly associated with American culture and despite existing tensions between the nations, Mr. Tsunemi, a passionate denim enthusiast, took a bold step. He founded Edwin Jeans in 1947 and imported jeans from the United States to appeal to a new generation that wanted to embrace a modern, international style.

The defining moment came in 1961 when Edwin Jeans introduced their own line of high-quality Japanese denim and proudly carried the 'Made in Japan' label on their jeans. This marked a revolutionary change in the denim world. As the denim market grew, the brand began to explore different washing techniques. Edwin Jeans played an instrumental role in the development and refinement of washing techniques by inventing the stone wash technique. This groundbreaking innovation revolutionized the denim industry and can still be found in the collections of many denim brands today.

In addition to their passion for the stone-wash technique, Edwin Jeans also specializes in selvedge denim. The complex manufacturing process of these jeans, using older machines, is a tribute to old-fashioned denim weaving. At Edwin Jeans, precise attention is paid to achieving the perfect finish and optimal fit.

The story of Edwin Jeans is not only the story of a brand, but also a reflection of denim production in post-war Japan. Over the years, Edwin has established itself as a pioneer among Japanese denim brands by introducing significant innovations such as the iconic rainbow selvedge in the 1960s and pioneering pre-wash and stone-wash techniques in the 1980s.

EDWIN REGULAR TAPERED-BLUE LIGHT USED - WATERKANT Store -Hamburg Ottensen Altona

EDWIN REGULAR TAPERED-BLUE LIGHT USED

EDWIN SAGA SHIRT SS-BLUE / BLACK - WATERKANT Store -Hamburg Ottensen Altona

EDWIN SAGA SHIRT SS-BLUE / BLACK

Today's Edwin collection is now available in a curated selection here in the WATERKANT store in Hamburg. In addition to classic jeans, we also offer the fashion line as well as a variety of T-shirts and other collection items.

We look forward to introducing you to these carefully selected pieces. Immerse yourself in the world of Edwin Jeans - quality, innovation and style combined in the WATERKANT store.

Jochen Wermescher