Japan May 2016 - Giles and Sam hit The Works, CC Clutch & Kojima
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For the final leg of our trip we took the bullet train down to Kojima (Jeans town) to visit the Kojima store and view some of the factories that are producing some of our garments.
It was an early start off to the first mill that was making our denim but it wasn't exactly in the centre of town… after a good half an hour of driving the bigger builds fell away and we found ourselves surrounded by beautiful wooded hills with farmland sprawling out onto all available surfaces. Such an incredible landscape that i was almost sad we had to be somewhere.
Once at the first factory we were shown around by the manager of the mill and after a very random moment where he screamed at Sarina to try and scare her.... i was allowed to take photos.
Indigo
We were told that the distance these yarns travel was 1km whilst they're being dyed
washing
300-400 yarns per bundle
preparing the beams
One broken thread repaired by hand
a lot of fluff
preparing the selvedge ID
During the process of the yarns being put onto beams for weaving the yarns go through a process called sizing. They come out feeling starched and it's hard to believe that it could be turned into something wearable but the sizing process is essential for weaving. Sizing makes the yarns stronger, less prone to breaking and more friction resistant. Read more here
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Giles with some used beams.
I loved the unassuming nature of this mill. hidden behind this old piece of plastic were the most amazing old machines making some serious noise!
Chambray
Haraki San
more fluff
Inspecting the denim for faults
Projectile looms - none selvedge.
busted
Glad this isn't my job. COMPLICATED!
A shuttle being reloaded.
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wow. thoroughly enjoyed that.
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I love those images, great job @Sam
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Off again… to the shirt factory where they were making some UHF's. It would have been amazing to watch these ladies making any of our shirts but to see them working on the UHF's was something special. The amount of work that goes into them is astounding.
We start off in the pattern cutting factory and then move on to the construction side of things.
stunning views along the way
I don't remember catching her name but this lady is the teacher to all in the factory. She has over 40 years of experience to pass on to these young ladies coming in to learn and they are expected to train for 6 months before they're allowed to move onto the factory floor. She will retire in two years.
cuff details… she uses that piece of plastic so she doesn't mark the fabric
pockets
Loved the attention to detail. As you'd expect
attaching the yolks
Giles being nosey
I bet there aren't many shirt fabrics in the world that need be flatterned with a hammer before sewing
Thanks to the all the folks at Wired for showing us their world and keeping us informed.
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wow
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