KUON
Challenging the existing notion on vintage clothing, KUON revitalizes traditional Japanese boro. “Boro” being worn and used textiles and old,…
Blackyoto
Blackyoto was founded in 2013 by Brit born, German based, Jeremy Mcalpine. The forward thinking brand was born out of upcycling iconic military surplus, overdyed at the finest traditional Japanese dyer, Kyoto’s Montsuki Co, with the blackest of black dyes, black oxide. The collection is comprised of workwear and military clothing, including camo coats, Kendo jackets, vintage judo suits and mesh T-shirts. Also known for its vintage women’s lingerie, which is completely reimagined and contemporized when overdyed in deepest black, with items ranging from turn of the century French petticoats, and Bavarian lace trimmed bloomers, to the finest antique silk tulle and glass beaded evening gowns. Items are sourced throughout Europe, from Germany to the Czech Republic. Passionate about the quality of well designed vintage garments, the brand relish in the concept of reintroducing forgotten garments back into use.
Macalpine’s fascination for the dye house’s unique history and cultural significance led to the development of the brands DNA, with everything in the collection dyed the blackest of black by the Arakwawa dyeing factory that was established in 1915. The 2nd generation of the family founded the Kyoto Montsuki Co Ltd. in 1969, where the ‘Junguro’ genuine black dye technique was developed. Although originally used exclusively for the dying of kimono’s the company agreed to take on dyeing modern dress materials using ecological dye compounds in combination with the ‘shinkuro’ oxide finishing. The collection is carried by visionary retailers Dover Street Market, LN-CC, United Arrows and L’Eclaireur in Paris.