Kojima Genes

Kojima Genes takes its name from Kojima, in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, a town where textile work has been going on since the Edo period. The label plays on "genes" to show it wants to pass that know-how on. Kojima is known for handling fabric production, sewing, washing and processing all in one place, and the brand draws on that.

The jeans use Japanese-made fabric, including original cloth developed with KUROKI Co. Heavy-ounce denim is a speciality, and the brand says only a few Japanese companies can weave it. Details include custom YKK buttons and rivets and leather patches made from domestic cowhide. Customers describe the heavier pairs as thick but soft, and say they look forward to seeing them age.