"Circular jeans" born in the holy land of jeans, first pop-up in Osaka

The severe cold weather is finally continuing.

For two days from Saturday, March 8th to Sunday, March 9th , the circular apparel brand land down under, which is opening up new possibilities, will be holding its first ever pop-up in Osaka . 

What is " land down under "?

An apparel label based in Kojima, Kurashiki City, a city facing the Seto Inland Sea.
We incorporate the concept of "circular economy" to create clothes that can be worn for a long time while enjoying the changes that occur over time, and that are easy to recycle.
We work in collaboration with highly skilled domestic factories to express what "authentic" means to us in the future.

The brand name "land down under" comes from Australia, which the company's president, Mr. Ikegami, likes. It means "the land on the other side of the earth as seen from the UK," and is imbued with the desire to convey the unique charm of this side stream.

Initiatives towards circular jeans

Land Down Under (LDU) breaks away from the linear economy of extracting resources, making things, and throwing them away, and practices manufacturing based on a circular economy, aiming to maximize resource utilization and minimize waste.

What is a circular economy?
Economic activities that reduce resource input and consumption, make effective use of existing stocks, and create added value. The main features are reducing resource input, minimizing waste and pollution, promoting reuse and recycling, creating added value through services, and regenerating nature. As an alternative to the linear economy (mass production, consumption, and disposal), it is attracting attention as a means to address environmental burdens and the risk of resource depletion.

Easy-to-recycle design

• No metal rivets: Metal parts are kept to a minimum to facilitate the recycling process.
• 100 % cotton yarn and fabric: Designed to be durable, have a nice texture, and be easily recycled.

Upcycling resources

• Utilizing non-standard fabrics ( B/C rolls): Fabrics that were scheduled to be discarded are used, and the "flaws" are sublimated into a design.

The challenge of horizontal recycling

• From jeans to jeans: Working with a spinning company in Osaka, we use recycled cotton.

Long-life design and servicing

• Repair and remake support: We offer comprehensive repair services to enable you to use your products for a long time.

The brand's efforts go beyond apparel and have been met with a response in various media. One example is an interview article published in the Japanese edition of the global business magazine "Forbes."

Read the interview here You will be redirected to an external site.

Four characteristics of LDU

1. Sceneless Design
   A versatile design that combines a comfortable fit with a sophisticated impression. Suitable for a wide range of styles, from T-shirts to jackets.
2. The culmination of domestic technology
   Made from red-edge selvedge denim woven on an old-fashioned shuttle loom, this pair of jeans is highly durable and will change over time.
3. Circulating materials
   Made with 100% cotton, the tags and quality labels are designed to be recycled. Metal rivets are eliminated to reduce the environmental impact.
4. Resources with no environmental impact
   The design makes use of B/C denim fabric that had been lying dormant in the factory, making the most of the individuality of the fabric.

LDU Manufacturing and Partner Factories

All made-to-order items are produced in-house, while ready-made items are made with trusted partner factories. Made-to-order items are handcrafted, with hand-sewn buttonholes and other features to ensure that each item is worn for a long time with affection. In addition, by producing to order, we reduce unnecessary inventory, and by producing only after the user has been decided, we value a "sound" production method in which we carefully tailor the item with the person in mind.

Weaving (Textiles)

• Shinohara Textile (Hiroshima/Fukuyama)
  A textile manufacturer in Fukuyama that has been in business for over 110 years. In addition to its technical capabilities, the company is also challenging itself with collaborations with the local community and different industries. The factory runs on 100% renewable energy.
• Bamboo spear (Okayama, Kurashiki)
  A long-established Kurashiki canvas manufacturer founded in 1888. Using old-fashioned shuttle looms and carefully weaving without starching the warp threads, they produce fabric that improves in texture the more it is washed.

Finishing and processing

• Kotosen (Okayama/Kurashiki)
  The fabric is treated to prevent shrinkage (sanforization) and twisting (skew) to stabilize the shape. It retains a soft texture to facilitate reuse.

pattern

• ikajuM (Okayama/Kurashiki)
  Designed by a pattern maker who has extensively studied vintage denim to create details that balance the old and the new.

Cutting

• Kinoshita Cutting Center (Okayama, Kojima)
  Located in Kojima, a production area for jeans and school uniforms, this factory is run by skilled craftsmen who perform cutting work quickly and accurately.

Sewing

• Kakunan Clothing (Okayama, Kurashiki)
  As one of the largest jeans manufacturers in Japan, the company utilizes over 150 modified sewing machines and is proactive in developing new technologies.
• etau (Okayama/Kurashiki)
  A small but elite sewing factory that places importance on close communication to ensure careful and precise sewing.

Woven Label

• Yanagisawa Woven Label (Sakai, Fukui)
  Woven labels made in Fukui using 100% cotton. The quality label is also made of 100% cotton, and the size is engraved by hand.

recycling

• Shinnaigaiwata (Osaka/Gifu)
  We take back products that can no longer be worn responsibly and consider reusing them. We prioritize selling vintage or remade items first, and if reusing is difficult, we recycle them by turning them into wool. The products are crushed into cotton and mixed with virgin cotton to recycle resources as raw materials for new clothes.

Product lineup

CUSTOM ORDER JEANS

With three silhouettes to choose from ( WIDE TAPERED / LOOSE-FIT / WIDE CLASSIC ), you can customize the fabric, stitching, pocket shape and number, suspender buttons, etc. to create a pair of pants that are just for you and fit your lifestyle.

CUSTOM ORDER JACKETS

Using an existing WORKWEAR JACKET as a base, you can customize the fabric, stitching, and the shape and number of pockets to create a garment that is uniquely yours.

LOOSE FIT PAINTER PANTS

Painter pants that combine practicality with design. With a loose fit silhouette and hammer loops and tool pockets, these pants look great both as workwear and as street wear. Available in three different fabrics.

ICE BLUE : Five brands from Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, have joined forces to create a recycled denim line using recycled denim and scraps. The greyish blue color has a deep hue derived from the old clothes and scraps.

OFF-WHITE : Thick off-white denim with a clear twill weave and red selvedge accents.

INDIGO : Made from the same red-edge selvedge denim as the WIDE TAPERED JEANS and DENIM WORKWEAR JACKET .

CIRCULAR COTTON SHIRTS & SHORTS

These 100% natural (plastic-free) cotton shirts and shorts were developed in collaboration with the Nippon Foundation's "Ocean and Japan Project" to promote clothing circulation and take action on marine issues. They use two types of fabric made by Showa (Kojima, Kurashiki City), a long-established weaving factory.

INDIGO (shirt/shorts): A clean 5.5oz denim made with long-staple cotton yarn, featuring a crisp feel and elegance.

OFF-WHITE (shirt only): A sweet weave with a soft texture.

KHAKI (shorts only): Uneven napped herringbone fabric ( 8oz ).

The core of "recycling" is to wear the same clothes for a long time. We choose materials that allow you to enjoy changes and pursue designs that become more attractive as time passes. We practice recycling and upcycling by utilizing traditional techniques and environmentally friendly materials from Kurashiki, Okayama. During the event, Mr. Ikegami, the representative of LDU, will be participating all day, so it is a rare opportunity to hear directly about the brand's philosophy and commitment. Please come and experience LDU's recycled jeans.

Information

land down under POP UP at struct

Date: March 8th (Sat) - 9th (Sun)

Time: 12:00 - 19:00

Venue: struct

Address: Sanyamato Building 1F , 2-3-4 Kyomachibori, Nishi-ku, Osaka

*Representative Ikegami will participate every day.