Milestone Basement – A Modern Approach to Japanese Denim
Milestone Basement was founded in Osaka and Okayama in 2017 and although the brand hasn’t been in existence for long, it is built on decades of experience in the denim industry. With its roots firmly planted in the home of Japanese denim, Milestone Basement is no rookie. It is true blue. The guys behind the brand are dedicated denim dudes who are striving to cement Milestone Basement as an icon of modern denim culture but also reflecting the heritage and history of the fabric itself.
Redefining the Values of Modern Jeans
Milestone Basement is updating garments in-line with the heritage of Japanese denim, but with a contemporary interpretation. They aren’t trying to replicate heritage garments or vintage denim style, but creating an intelligent and elegant design, while maintaining the quality of what we have come to expect from Japanese denim brands.
The guys behind Milestone Basement are confident in the high quality of Japanese denim, but they want to present it in a different way. While they aren’t questioning the offerings of the past, they feel strongly that the modern world deserves a different denim interpretation.
With an image of a modern man in mind, they have stripped down the traditional five pocket jean and ‘Type III’ jacket in order to refine and redefine. Through research and development the brand have arrived at what they call ‘sharp and sophisticated silhouettes’ which are ready for today and tomorrow.
The Materials
In search of fabrics, Milestone Basement went to the Ibara area, one hour west of Okayama. This small and easy-going area is known for small denim mills which deliver high-quality Japanese denim in small quantities. As with larger cities like Kojima and Okayama, the mills in Ibara are run by expert craftsmen whom have been weaving denim for decades. According to Milestone Basement, the industry in Kojima has been growing strongly over the years, which can make it difficult to for smaller brands to enter the marketplace. Working with smaller mills in Ibara has ensured quality, but also made communication easier and kept the design and development process fluid.
All Milestone Basement garments are made from a 12.5 oz. sanforized selvedge denim, which has been traditionally and exclusively woven for the brand . Due to its weight, the fabric is comfortable and can be worn throughout the whole year. All garments are pre-washed and sun-dried in order to silence any worries about shrinkage or the rigidity of a raw denim fabric. Pre-washing the garments derives from their own take on vintage jeans. It is the philosophy of Milestone Basement that jeans become beautiful when they become a part of someones life, when they are worn and washed. In their opinion, jeans should be worn and washed as part of the daily routine of the wearer, rather than being given special treatment (after all, that’s what they did in the past!).
The Collection
The brand currently offers a collection of two jeans, a jacket and t-shirts, all of which are made in Okayama. All garments within the collection are made from 100% cotton and follow traditional Japanese production processes, with a focus on details, mobility and freedom. With the use of vintage single needle sewing machines and a few pairs of experienced hands, the garments have been produced to become a faithful companion for the wearer. Channeling historic denim principles and production but maintaining a focus on the future, Milestone Basement is carving its own path in the world of blue.
Although the collection is small, the brand are intentionally keeping the offering concise and aren’t planning to release many fits or a wide collection. They firmly believe that less is more. Milestone Basement are intending to keep the collection true to this philosophy, with denim that serves a purpose and is critically considered before being offered to the customer.
Milestone Basement jeans and jackets are available for €270 and €300 respectively at milestonebasement.com.
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