The Edwin Jeans Story

One of the most remarkable denim brands in the industry is Edwin jeans. Edwin jeans is started in Japan and became a big major player in the jeans segment which historical improvements as their ‘stone washing’ and ‘rainbow selvage’. Nowadays its still a very respected denim brand worldwide by the true denimheads. Below a timeline with their most iconic milestones, but their are more to follow, that’s for sure!

Edwin jeans timeline

1947 – The Edwin brand is established in Japan by Mr. Tsunemi. With a strong passion for denim, Mr. Tsunemi is inspired to import them directly from the United States as no denim is manufactured in Japan.

1951 – Domestically manufactured denim is available for the first time in Japan. This product is expensive and of inferior quality compared to its American counterparts.

1961 – Mr. Tsunemi crafts the first pair of Edwin denim jeans.

1963 – Edwin produces the world’s heaviest ringspun denim jean (16oz), featuring the famous three-colour rainbow selvedge, which is still being used today.

1970’s – Edwin become the first company in the world to develop an ‘old wash’, designed to replicate denim which has been worn from its rigid, unwashed state traditionally designed for workwear due to its durability.

1980’s – Edwin invent ‘stone washing’, revolutionising the entire denim industry. A pivotal moment in the evolution of denim manufacturing, influencing, every denim company in existence today.

2003 – Edwin Europe is founded to develop exclusive product for the European market and bring a selection of Japanese items to a new audience.

1990’s – Edwin create the ‘new vintage’ denim concept, encompassing the subtle beauty of hand replicating vintage washes from archive references, pre-dating 1947.

Today – Edwin is a forward-thinking denim brand with Japanese roots, priding itself on continual progression in design and fit, utilising exclusive fabrics and fabrication, whilst maintaining a countercultural outlook and contemporary vision.

James Mitchell Of Edwin on breaking in your denim

Explore the Edwin collection here: https://edwin-europe.com