EDWIN Jeans

Born in Japan in 1947 EDWIN  is an authentic and innovative denim brand priding itself on craftsmanship. We offer a huge range featuring heritage styles like the Edwin Nashville  or Edwin ED-47 , modern cuts like Edwin ED-55  or Edwin ED-67  as well as japanese premium selvedge jeans , for instance the Edwin SEN  in different versions.

Following the Second World War, the American occupation forces remaining in Japan helped to introduce denim „jeans“ culture, which would become a global cultural phenomenon. In 1947, Tsunemi Yonehachi Shoten was established as a U.S. Military Surplus clothing store in the Nippori district of Tokyo. The store was a family business and was to be the starting point for the EDWIN  brand, as we know it today. Around this era, denim jean manufacturers were unheard of in Japan.

After many years of dedication to the Tsunemi Yonehachi Shoten business, Shuji Tsunemi, the son of the founders was passed ownership in 1961. Mr. Tsunemi, had an acute understanding for the power of denim culture, and as the potential it represented, having spent some years studying in California. He recognised the opportunity for importing used, five pocket denims from the U.S. That year the Tokyo store changed its name to EDWIN  (using the letters from the word DENIM, and flipping the M to a W) and quickly became the specialist in reconditioned second hand denims. In 1962 the name  E D W I N  was officially established as a brand.

This leading pioneering denim and jeans company claims to have started the stonewashed process and was one of the first company to use ring-spun fabrics. It is with Mr. Tsunemi’s continued focus, vision and passion for denim that  E D W I N  remains the number one jeans brand in Japan today.

Founded in 1961, 2011 celebrates 50th year of denim jeans manufacture. The first ever jean was the 16oz „359BF“ Rainbow Selvage, famously reputed to stand by itself due to the heavy, rigid selvage fabric. The Rainbow Selvage  is still in use today, although currently produced exclusively in Japan, and no longer in the U.S. as with the first jean.

In celebration of this incredible half century as a premium jeans maker,  E D W I N  offers a collection of pieces, both in denim and ready to wear, encompassing the inspiration upon which the brand was founded: U.S. ex-military surplus and early to mid 20th century american work-wear. These pieces have been carefully re-worked, providing a vintage aesthetic and detailing yet offering both authenticity and modernised utility.