Pure Blue Japan XX-18oz-019 “Indigo X Black” 18oz Relaxed Tapered Jeans

There is no doubt; indigo x black fabrics have been a trend for some time in the Japanese Denim scene. These fabrics appear an inky deep blue-black at first, but with wear, the indigo will fade to bright blue and white, creating high contrast fades with black undertones. Pure blue Japan had already developed a fascinating fabric with black Sumi and natural indigo in the past. Still, we were all waiting for this new super-fast fader indigo warp x black sulphur dyed fabric. As it usually happens with Pure Blue Japan, it has not disappointed.

PBJ used dark indigo for the warp yarn and black for the weft yarn. So at first glance, you will feel it is black Denim. But if you wear and wash it more and more, gradually the weft yarn comes out, and the Denim’s colour will change to dark blue indigo. In addition, the dark weft helps to produce higher contrast fades.

For this indigo x black creation, the brand developed a 18oz fabric based on their iconic XX denim. Iwaya-san (the owner of PBJ) wanted a heavier version of their most demanded 14oz denim. So the brand is bringing it back on steroids. The result is fantastic: 18oz, very slubby and stunning texture. It has been low-tension woven on a vintage shuttle loom in Ibara, Okayama. The production of the fabric is minimal.

The jeans are made with all the superior-quality Pure blue Japan details such as iron buttons, high-quality pocket bags, heavy-duty bar tacks, long stitching, a custom lambskin black leather patch and the signature Pure Blue Japan “shoai” embroidery (Indigofera leaf).

This pair features a Relaxed Tapered cut. It features a tapered leg from the knee down while providing ample room on the top block and thighs (PBJ 019 cut).

Pure Blue Japan is the dream of Kenichi Iwaya. Passionate about Denim, he grew up in Okayama and acquired experience working in different mills around the region, until in 1997 he decided to create his own brand. Ever since, Iwaya-San has been obsessed with producing incredible fabrics with unique, slubby textures and a distinct character. This is why he only works with shuttle looms from Ibara, Okayama, using only the best cottons from the United States and India. Since its emergence until today, Pure Blue Japan has consolidated its position as one of the touchstone labels in Japanese Denim, and its excellent work has established it as one of the masters of indigo dye.

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