"In this modern age of advanced civilization, I was deeply moved to see firsthand how thoroughly they still rely on analog methods," says Takumi Sato, buyer in charge of dress shirts, ties, sweaters, and casual shirts on the 1st floor Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building who planned this collaboration. BUAISOU, an indigo dyer and craftsman based in Kamiita-cho, Tokushima Prefecture, the home of Awa indigo, has collaborated with renowned brands from Japan and abroad to create this masterpiece. From January 3rd (Tuesday), the 1st floor Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building featuring sweaters and casual shirts, will offer a collection of indigo-dyed items that can only be found there, under the title "World Masterpieces x Traditional Japanese Indigo Dyeing."

While preserving the time-honored traditions of Japan, we are also sharing indigo dyeing culture with a fresh sensibility.

Known worldwide as "Japan Blue" for its deep, vibrant color, traditional Japanese indigo dyeing is a staple of the industry. The "sukumo" used to make indigo dye, produced in Tokushima, is called Awa indigo. Kenta Watanabe and Kakuo Kaji, captivated by indigo, moved to Tokushima and founded Buaisou in 2012, where they handle everything from cultivating indigo plants and making the "sukumo" dye to preparing the indigo dye solution, dyeing, and finishing the products. In 2014, they also established a studio in New York, spreading Japan's proud indigo culture to the world.

Buyer Sato explained the origins of this project, saying, "It has become commonplace for us buyers to visit production areas and participate in manufacturing during overseas business trips, but I think it's a new and unprecedented idea to have overseas designers visit Japanese production areas through Isetan and create products together."

Unlike synthetic indigo, Buaisou's indigo dye solution is prepared using the traditional "jigoku-date" method, which involves fermenting a mixture of "sukumo" (indigo dye spores) with wood lye, wheat bran, and lime. This method dyes natural materials such as cloth and wood a deep, vibrant "Japan Blue."

A popular designer from an overseas brand traveled to Tokushima to oversee even the nuances of the dyeing process.

This time, Michael, the designer of Drake's , and Alberto Pacini, the designer of Baby Lacua, visited Buaisou in Tokushima. Under the designers' supervision, they had product samples dyed, calculated the shrinkage rate (the percentage of fabric shrinkage), and carefully considered the shades of indigo before commercializing the products—a new form of manufacturing was realized.

Alberto Paccini, designer of Baby Laqua
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Buyer Sato, who accompanied him, said, "Michael especially loves indigo dyeing and was thrilled, saying, 'I want to stock it in my London store.' Furthermore, Michael described indigo-dyed products as 'slow fashion.' In today's technologically advanced world, we are developing wonderful materials, but natural indigo, which can be enjoyed for a long time as it ages, is truly slow fashion, slow style."

Michael Hill, designer for Drake's
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The special color for men, "navy," is expressed using completely recycled indigo.

"World-Class Masterpieces x Traditional Japanese Indigo Dyeing" features a lineup of items including scarves and ties from Drake's , casual shirts from Baby Lacua and FINAMORE , sweaters, knit caps, and scarves from Inishman, sweaters from Le Trois, and cut-and-sew tops from BATONER . Please come and see these world-class masterpieces dyed in "Japan Blue" by Buaisou, who was captivated by the charm of indigo dyeing.

Related Article : [Interview] Bevilacqua Alberto Paccini | A New Vintage for an Era of Imagination
• [Interview] Michael Hill Drake's | Drake's ties, hand-stitched in the heart of London, combine tradition and innovation.

World-renowned masterpieces × Traditional Japanese indigo dyeing ~JAPAN BLUE that dyes the world~

□ January 3rd (Tue) - 10th (Tue)
□ Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 1st Floor = Sweaters and Casual Shirts

*On Saturday, December 31st, we will be open from 10 AM until 6 PM.
*Please note that our store will be closed on January 1st (Sunday/public holiday) and January 2nd (Monday/substitute holiday). Our New Year's sale will begin on January 3rd (Tuesday).

inquiry
Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 1st Floor = Sweaters and Casual Shirts
03-3352-1111 (main representative)