Visiting the 45R headquarters, Tokyo
![](https://www.permanentstyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/tokyo-at-night-580x725.jpg)
When we approached the headquarters of 45R, I was a little nervous. I'd been given an introduction by a friend, but had no idea what the management team knew about me or Permanent Style, or how much they cared.
It was late afternoon and already getting dark as Alex and I crossed the highway, shadowed by a rumbling overpass, and looked for the right buzzer on the fairly anonymous building.
Luckily the names were in English as well as Japanese. Unluckily, it wasn't clear which one was the reception, or otherwise the correct floor. We picked the first one, and hoped.
No reply, but a loud buzz. We pushed the glass-fronted door and entered. A small marble lobby with an elevator: we pushed the same floor and began to rise.
I shouldn't have worried really, but I always do. Things usually turn out well but I'm a worrier, I can't help it. Maybe a psychologist would say it's healthy: stops you getting too full of yourself.
When we exited the lift, there was Kokoro Alonso. Smiling, stylish, holding out her hand in greeting. In fact, very stylish - there's something about brands like 45R which means the women are often particularly inspiring. Perhaps it’s because the clothes - casual materials, loose fits - are quite unisex, and the women simply have more style.
I should have said, by the way, that the lobby in which Alonso greeted us was also beautiful - much more 45R than the building, the elevator or the overpass. A huge wooden slab of a table sat in the middle - something that looked like it had been hewn in one long sweep of an axe, and then frozen in French polish; delicate vases were artfully positioned.
We were ushered through into a meeting room, and it became clearer we were expected, even with pleasure. Into the room came Norio Sugahara, the men’s designer; Masaki Nakashima, the president and our contact in setting up the meeting; and finally Junko Takashio, who oversees some of the production.
That’s them left to right, with Alonso first. Her loose popover is very 45R, as is the necklace; the loafers are a nice elegant touch of contrast I think.
And that was what we started by talking about. Sugahara first explained how much of the company’s philosophy comes from Inoue Yasumi and Shinji Takahashi, the head designer and director, and then talked about the menswear design - with a particular focus on contrast.
“The roots of everything we do is traditional clothing,” he said, “but I like to mix them up. Naval clothing, for example, I love - the hard materials, the weather-worn fading. But I also like that attitude in hiking and mountaineering gear. So perhaps one season we’ll mix them up and do hiking clothes in naval materials and colours, particularly indigo as it’s so core to the brand.”
Indigo is absolutely central to 45R. They were the first company to introduce high-end denim into international markets like the US in the 1980s, when jeans were reaching their peak of being cheap, mass-market clothing.
They’re especially known for organic indigo (Ai-indigo), and the varieties of indigo they’ve introduced over the years. The flagship store in Tokyo is known among some English-speaking locals as Indigo House.
“The jeans I’m wearing today are a new indigo colour we’re working on - Kageiro Nando or Shadow Nando,” said Sugahara. “It’s a greyish shade, with a lot of charcoal in the mix. Everyone is seeing how it fades and behaves.”
Apparently the management team, the shop staff and all of the craftspeople in the factory are wearing pieces in this new indigo, both to see how it fades so they can talk about it, and to show those fades to customers.
“After they’ve all been worn in, we will sell the clothes off for charity,” says Takashio, who has the best English of the group, and chips in now and again to clarify things. “I’m not sure it was a good idea - it’s making us all very sad!”
45R have a reputation for taking things to the nth degree, with yarns often handspun, fabrics handwoven and - certainly with the denim - hand dyed. That’s why it appeals to so many fans of craft, even if the designs can be a little quirky. But I didn’t realise before how involved the design side was.
“What’s interesting is when we combine these worn garments with genuine vintage at the beginning of a season,” Sugahara said. “We always have a vintage room full of all our inspiration pieces for that season, which the staff come in and browse. But then the worn-in current pieces get added too, and compared.”
Another project they’ve been working on recently is Natural Indigo Artisans. This involved searching Japan for remaining indigo artisans, and picking 11 to take their own approaches to dying certain 45R garments. They even combined the dyes on some pieces, to replicate the feeling of patched ‘Boro’ cloth (below).
“We’ll have people dyeing indigo in some stores, certainly Aoyama and New York,” says Alonso. “Natural indigo dyeing is such an organic process - it’s alive, it changes before your eyes. But that can be hard to get across to people who just see the finished product.”
At this point I brought up the - hopefully constructive - point that it can be hard to get this information as a consumer too. There’s so much in every 45R piece, but not much of it lives online.
This, to an extent, is a Japanese issue - the country as a whole has been surprisingly slow on e-commerce. But it’s also a particular issue for someone like 45R, with high prices but no advertising (on principle) and so less general awareness.
Fortunately, in the three months since I was in Japan the international 45R site has been revamped, and there is now more information online. Indeed, it’s a little hard to see where to actually shop now. But if anyone’s interested, the Journal is here, and a little piece on the new indigo is here.
Another place it’s good to get information is the brand’s Instagram page, particularly the videos. Inoue Yasumi often goes meticulously through new products, or has staff show how things have worn in, such as here on denim for example.
It was one such video on linen deck shoes that convinced me to get a pair, which I’ve featured previously here. When I mentioned this to Sugahara, he immediately went behind the screen into the office and brought out his own pair, shown above.
Mine don’t look anything like this - they’ve probably been worn 10 times less - but they do have lovely fade marks from the natural indigo. I should also mention that they are superbly made - the best I’ve tried. Lovely anatomic shape like Wakouwa, but better made and with a really subtle wave-like grip that any fan of the Sperry origin story will appreciate.
We touched on a few other subjects, but I feel they should have their own follow-up post if anything.
Today I just wanted to give a feel of what it was like to meet the 45R team, to talk about how genuine they were and use it as a way to help communicate the philosophy behind the brand.
I feel that’s important because I also have to remind myself sometimes - when I visited Indigo House, for example, and was looking at some expensive polos and a gauze-like shirt that came down to my knees. And because the company does so little of it themselves - no marketing, no advertising.
45R is a design brand, but one rooted in traditional clothing and techniques, which is quite rare. They create clothes that are the best-made possible, that look pre-loved as soon as they’re made. They are the embodiment of the ‘how great things age’ side of PS.
These might be the most beautiful sneakers I’ve ever seen. But of course they don’t make my size… Any idea where to get something like this, but in size 45/46?
Lots of brands make a navy canvas shoe like that (eg Doek, Pras). If you want the same shape the closest is probably Wakouwa. But I don’t know anyone who does the indigo dyeing like that.
It’s kind of what makes 45R special – many things I’d never wear, but the fact they’re all unusual means that when you do find one you like, chances are it will be unique
Actually none of these will work because they’re all too small 🙁 So I guess I’m looking for anything like this, made to the same quality standards, but with larger sizes available.
Ah, sorry Robert. I’ll have a think if there are any that make bigger sizes (perhaps outside of Japan)
I also have the size issue. I need a 48. In the end I bought vans authentic, similar and very different at the same time.
What you could do is get a pair of white Gym Classic trainers from Moonstar, who make them up to JP30/EU46, either in one of the European/US stores who carry them or straight from Moonstar, and then get in touch with Buaisou in Tokushima, Japan, to have them hand-dyed at their workshop.
Buaisou are another of these small Japanese companies who take a craft and max it out — in their case, they grow and ferment their own indigo on their farm, on the outskirts of Tokushima. You might have seen their work on PS, if indirectly: some years ago they made a collection of three scarves for Drake’s, one of which Simon has worn a few times over the years.
Hand-dyeing an entire shoe will result in a different effect than the 45R trainers, but they will be beautiful and very unique. Indigo bonds just as well to the natural rubber of these shoes as it does to cotton or linen (or human nails, which retain the color for close to two weeks after a single application).
Thank you Peter
That’s very interesting, thank you! I take a bit of an issue with equating JP30 with EU46 – I’m an EU 45.5-46, but my feet are more like 30.5 cm (but of course feet differ). I’ve had Moonstar on my radar for a while, but for this reason I always thought they’d be too small. I guess the only way to find out is to actually try them on! In any case, thanks again for the hand-dyeing recommendation.
Maybe check these out from RRL?
https://www.ralphlauren.co.uk/en/indigo-canvas-trainer-475117.html?dwvar475117_colorname=Indigo&cgid=men-shoes-trainers&webcat=men%2Fshoes%2Fmen%20shoes%20trainers#webcat=men%7Cshoes%7Cmen-shoes-trainers&start=1&cgid=men-shoes-trainers
Yes, it is indeed somewhat of a surprise that high-technology Japan of all countries lags behind in e-commerce. My best guess is that most brands are geared towards the national market and are perfectly happy to have a western platforms like NoManWalksAlone that sell a minor quantity of their clothes abroad. Further, I think most e-customers order only if tax/ import etc is handled by the seller, as I do, which might be too much of a hassle for many smaller Japanese companies.
45R got was my gateway into Japanese clothing brands over a couple of decades ago. Their prices will make your pockets bleed, but they make beautiful long lasting clothing.
Hello Simon, I admit I love the sneakers, but my vans Era look pretty much the same after a couple of months in the sun, and a few roll on my skateboard.
I’ve had my Vans fade a good bit when I was younger Charles, and while that can certainly be nice, this is certainly different – whether better or not is more subjective. Of course, these are also better made (vulcanised)
It’s true that their price points are off the chart. It’s also true that their website is pretty useless. However, their products are truly unique and very good quality.
Most of my wardrobe is fairly « ivy. » Incorporating labels like 45r or Bode allow me to shake it up a little.
Interesting, thanks Tim
Hi Simon, Interesting article to get an understanding of their designs and processes that contribute to a vintage vibe, however I believe they are extremely expensive. I remember once visiting the now closed 45R London shop and whilst I quite liked some items I just couldn’t understand the rationale for their prices.
I’d be interested in comments from readers who have purchased 45R clothes and what they feel about them after wearing them for a while.
I think articles like these show the rationale Stephen. If you do things like spend a year tracking down individual indigo artisans from around Japan, bring them together, and then have them produce a very small number of garments one at a time, they are going to be exponentially more expensive than a repeated uniform procedure.
While there are things like hand-spun cotton, hand-loomed material, hand dyeing etc, it’s really this philosophy that you have to like and support. The clothes age very well – supported not just by customers but by the fact that every staff member you meet in any store is always wearing years-old things, so you can see.
Also, as we’ve covered in the past, it’s mostly about what goes into a piece, rather than higher margins, that create prices. And 45R put all the extra money from the prices into production and R&D – no advertising, no runways. Very different to the top designer brands who sell at comparable prices.
All fair points and for some reason i accidentally deleted the bit in my comment about your article going some way to explaining the reasons behind the price. The pricing is just an observation on my part not a criticism. Do you know why they closed their London shop?
No worries Stephen, just pleased that comes across.
It was the wrong location for them, too luxe really. And as we can tell from this, theirs is not an easy brand to communicate – certainly for someone wandering in off the street.
Hi Stephen, I live in HK and purchased a double breasted jacket online from the now closed UK shop. The styling is great; sleeves longer than a formal jacket but looks great folded once and the indigo is aging well. At the end of the day, one is paying for the craftsmanship. It’s my only piece so far; I can’t justify (yet) the price point of their jeans compared with makers like ONI Denim and Studio Artisan…I hope that helps
Hi Simon, I was interested in the comment about the shoes. Do you think the quality is in general better compared to Doek?
The process of making is the same. The materials used in the uppers are finer and more unusual – but you may not want either. The shaping in the waist is better, I think, in the way Wakouwa is. There are nice extra details like the waves of cuts in the sole.
Hi Simon. Any news on whether 45R plan to reopen within the UK? I miss the London store and also Anthem who used to be a stockist prior to both stores closing. If it is of help to Robert M and J, Shoes Like Pottery and also Spingle Move have both produced indigo canvas shoes/trainers//sneakers in their chosen size although the styles vary and may not be to their tastes. In addition to Buaisou there is also Aiya Terroir for indigo dyeing amongst others. Kind regards and keep doing what you obviously love. Fashion is fleeting. Style is permanent. IYKYK.
Cheers Kaz. See above on the London shop. I have to say I do feel disappointed in my hometown that they find it harder to exist here than in London or Paris though
For info Stuarts London stock. Shoes like Pottery. Online and a physical shop near Westfield at Shepherds Bush. Worth checking before visiting the shop. Sizes up to UK11
https://www.stuartslondon.com/shoes-like-pottery-m238
Do you know if their jeans sizes are waist or inseam? Are they generally true to size or do they require additional tailoring?
I don’t know I’m afraid, I’ve never had them myself
I want to vouch for this wonderful company. Don’t be put off by the prices. Wearing their clothing makes every occasion feel a bit more special, without any fuss or ostentation. Their hand spun cotton shirting is phenomenal, and not something you will easily find elsewhere.
Hi there, Simon!
A bit of a extraneous and perhaps stupid question, but… What do you think about the combination “jacket and chinos”? Do you think it is possible, and if yes – how?
I’ve written about it a fair bit in the past, though never in a dedicated article. Personally I think it’s hard for it not to look frumpy or old-mannish – or the opposite, Italian and tight and stretchy
Hello Simon, I must say you are definitely a writer, the introduction of the article is fantastic; I was entering 45R with you and feeling the same by reading your wording! Well done!
Massimiliano
That’s lovely, thank you Massimilliano
Just wondering if you have advice on stopping 100% cotton jeans from stretching?
I bought some Levi Made & Crafted 505s and after two months they had stretched so much in the waist I couldn’t wear them.
That can be the point with those kinds of jeans Joel – the shrinking/stretching is what gives them character in the material but often means they need to be more carefully understood. At the least, ask the sales assistant how they will behave
Bought online sadly and Levi’s have terrible customer service.