Brand profile:
The history of the EDWIN brand is characterized by innovation and a deep connection to denim culture. Founded in 1947 in Japan, EDWIN began importing denim directly from the USA, as denim fabrics were not yet being produced in Japan at the time. Soon after, in 1951, the production of denim fabrics began in Japan, but initially the quality was inferior to American products. A milestone followed in 1961, when founder KK Tsunemi produced the first EDWIN denim jeans. Just two years later, EDWIN produced the world's heaviest ringspun denim jeans (16oz) with the famous three-color rainbow edge processing, the selvedge, which is still used today.
In the 1970s, EDWIN developed the first "Old Wash" technique to imitate the look of traditionally worn and washed denim. In the 1980s, EDWIN invented "Stone Washing", which revolutionized the denim industry and continues to have a strong influence today.
EDWIN remains a progressive brand that combines its Japanese roots with a European zeitgeist and a pioneering role in design and technology. Its collections celebrate both Japanese denim culture and European urban street fashion and skate culture.
Product selection with us:
EDWIN is of course known for its denim products and we also love Japanese denim, which is why you can find a wide variety of jeans and denim trousers in our range. But you can also find shirts, T-shirts with prints by Japanese artists and accessories in our range.
Why EDWIN at WATERKANT?
Japanese influences on Western fashion are nothing new. The Tokyo fashion scene reinterpreted both the college style of the American Ivy League universities of the 1950s and 60s and the clothing of the American working class, creating a new understanding of prep and workwear. Jeans were naturally a must-have in both cultures. We love the story behind this traditional garment and can point to EDWIN as one of the founders of the denim movement. Techniques such as dyeing with indigo and weaving many different denim fabrics are a proud part of Japanese culture and fashion scene. We find the Japanese attention to detail and appreciation for slow and sustainable traditional craftsmanship very inspiring in an age of fast fashion and want to show what the cult fabric can do.
