Tokyo Denim Scene Tour – Blue In Green’s Gordon Heffner

I had an awesome conversation with a friend and reader of Heddels yesterday, Sean, and he was nice enough to share some stories of his experiences with raw denim and past trips to Japan.  Being a denim head, he set aside a full day to explore one of Tokyo’s premium denim districts.  I can’t remember the name of the district, but I do remember him saying his girlfriend got “dragged” along – usually it’s the other way around!

Although we haven’t had the chance to see the denim hoods of Tokyo, we were able to dig up an interesting video featuring Gordon Heffner of New York City’s Blue In Green.  The relevant segment wraps up after the first 12 minutes, but if you don’t have time to watch the vid, here’s the summary:

  • Features Gordon Heffner, Blue In Green, who notes preference for Japanese style denim, because it is an old style, pre-automation, pre-mass production, hand made garment
  • Visit to Ameyoko, Ueno – showcases hand painted denim and several pairs of Sugar Cane (50:50 sugar cane & cotton, green tea dyed, mud dyed)
  • Customized distress workshop
  • Ebisu shop – “the supreme of the reproduced jean”

Thanks again to Sean for the chat and insight.

Stay Raw!

-Chad@heddels