The Japanese denim game is a bit like a high-level sporting competition. Athletes – or brands, in this case –all at the top of their game, inching each other out by tenths of a second. Everyone’s running the same race, in the same way, only separated by the little details. Then, every so often, an athlete comes around that just reinvents the game and blows everyone out of the water. The athlete in this case is none other than Studio D’Artisan, with its newly released SD-DO1 ‘The Origin’ jeans.
The DO1 is regarded as SDA’s ‘Genesis’ model, a pair of jeans that first took the vintage denim scene by storm in the ‘80s. In a bid to return to its routes, SDA has painstakingly examined its archive pieces and reproduced these bad boys, and we couldn’t be more stoked. Constructed from a 15 oz. unsanforized natural indigo selvedge denim, D’Artisan’s SD-DO1 features a four-button fly with branded SDA buttons, engraved copped male/female rivets, heavy duck canvas pocket bags, watch pocket selvedge detailing, an original SDA leather patch, and a working selvedge cinch back adjuster, just in case you’re feeling particularly ‘30s.
To create the fabric of the original DO1 model, SDA used a time-consuming process known as Kasezome – often referred to as ‘hank-dyeing’ or ‘skein-dyeing’ – where a skein of yarn is looped over a hook and washed in water, opening the fibers to receive the dye as the skein is di. It is then dipped into the dye for up to forty-eight hours, washed, and redipped. This procedure is repeated several times until the desired color has been achieved. If that’s not dedication to the craft, then I don’t know what is.
Finally, the fit. All I can say is that I personally have never been so happy to not see the word ‘taper’. The SDA SD-DO1 repro is as straight as they come — perfect for a relaxed, drapey fit over a pair of dad sneaks or rolled up above some pumps.
Available for $345 from Okayama Denim.
