Boro(ぼろ) and sashiko(刺し子) are rooted in practicality, originally a means to repair, reinforce, and give life to fabrics worn past their means. This pair of R008 “RARE” jeans from Big John, worn by reader Alex, stands as a modern embodiment of that spirit shaped through years of hard wear, repeated wash, and extensive repair.
Worn for 2 years and washed countless times, Alex works as a barista, often putting 12-16-hour days into his jeans. The teal-blue fades and heavy stitch work are achieved through everyday wear and the necessity for frequent washing and repairs due to working in the service industry.
Big John’s “RARE” jeans are the brand’s flagship line, designed as a celebration of indigo and an accumulation of the brand’s half-century industry knowledge. Often considered the “godfather” of Japanese denim and Japan’s first denim maker, Big John is recognized for a plethora of denim-related firsts, including the first one-wash jeans, the first Japanese selvedge fabric, and the first to explore using uneven yarns for greater texture.
Originally a 15.5 oz. unsanforized fabric, this denim originally started as a deep dark indigo paralleling indigo-black. Through years of heavy wear and repeated laundering, these jeans have fully transformed into a converse of their original form, now pale blue and showcasing a complex range of indigos. Alex notes that after roughly one year, the denim fibers began to break down, requiring repair work periodically every few weeks. The current state is the result of an accumulative 50+ hours of stitch and repair work, bringing new life to the denim with each mend.
Big John. Big fades. This Fade Friday is yet another homerun for the Southeast Asian denim community.
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Big John Rare R008 Raw Denim Jeans
- Fabric: 100% cotton selvedge denim
- Fabric weight: 15.5 oz.
- Fabric source: Japan
- Made in: Japan
- Fit: Straight
- Additional Details:
- Custom hardware
- Indigo-dyed leather patch
- Leather-backed, selvedge button fly
- Hand-stamped pocket bags
- Available at: Franklin and Poe for $380
