Edwin (stylised EDWIN) is a Japanese denim brand founded in Tokyo in 1947 by Tsunemi Yonehachi. The brand’s name is an anagram of “denim” — an apt declaration for a company that has been shaping the global denim industry for over 75 years. Edwin was one of the first merchants to bring vintage American jeans to Japan in the post-war era, made the first jeans in Japan in 1961, and went on to invent two techniques that transformed the entire global denim industry: the “old wash” in the 1970s and stone washing in the 1980s.
Key Facts
- Founded: 1947 (as Tsunemi Yonehachi shop)
- Founder: Tsunemi Yonehachi
- Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan (flagships in Harajuku and Osaka)
- Industry: Denim, Menswear
History and Innovations
Tsunemi Yonehachi began importing vintage American denim to Japan in 1947, fuelling a national fascination with the fabric. As domestic demand grew, Edwin began manufacturing its own jeans in 1961 — the first made-in-Japan denim. In 1963 the brand produced what was then the world’s heaviest ringspun denim jean (16oz), featuring the celebrated three-colour rainbow selvedge that remains a signature product. The 1970s saw Edwin develop the “old wash” — a process to give new jeans the appearance of worn, aged denim — and in the 1980s the brand invented stone washing, a technique that became standard across the entire global denim industry. Brad Pitt served as the brand’s ambassador from 1996 to 1999, significantly boosting Edwin’s Western recognition. Edwin Europe was established in 2003 to develop product for the European market.
Craft and Range
Edwin is particularly known for its selvedge denim — the Rainbow Selvedge remains one of the finest and most distinctive selvedge products available. The brand operates across Japan (3,000 outlets), Europe (900+ outlets), and the US, with its own specialist denim wash house for product development. Edwin also holds the Carhartt licence in Japan. Today’s collection spans selvedge jeans, regular denim, chinos, shirts, outerwear, and accessories.
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