A special edition of Made in Eureka, completed because of the pursuit of a favorite.
Vintage denim has textures and specifications that can only be achieved by manufacturing products of that era, and the reissue model aims for a high level of perfection in its reproduction. How did Mr. Fujiwara, who knows all about the charms of vintage denim, approach this reissue?
-With the features of the 1942 model having been clarified, I think there is a possibility that it will be added to the Levi's ®︎ Vintage Clothing lineup as a standard item in the future.
Yes, it is possible that the 1942 model will enter the lineup in a few years.
Levi's ®︎" has a lab at its San Francisco headquarters called the Eureka Innovation Lab, which researches and develops processing techniques and sewing, and produces recipes and prototypes using state-of-the-art equipment from vintage sewing machines used in the U.S. at the time.
For this reissue, we decided to produce it in that lab, so we were able to claim Made in EUREKA, which is even more limited in Made in San Francisco.
Included are the "Eureka Innovation Lab" and "CONE MILLS" price tags, which are only found on special denim, not seen on inline models.
Also, the 1942 model uses the same thick fabric as the World War II model, but after consulting with Mr. Uchida, we learned that there was a small amount of Cone Mills white oak denim left over from a previous Levi's ®︎ Vintage Clothing® model that was used for the World War II model, so we used that. The company has used this denim.
-Recent years, past reissued models have been classified as "made in Valencia factory" or "using Cone Mills white oak denim" and have become popular in the vintage market, but when they are made in a special factory using fabrics that are now discontinued, when they are released . It already has a kind of vintage piece-like meaning.
. After all, those items have a nice faded color. Of course, I have reproduced all the details of the original 1942 model, from the flasher to the guarantee ticket, as I explained earlier, and I also went to the U.S. to check the samples when they were made to reproduce the sewing characteristics of this period and the habits of my own personal items as much as possible.
The back of the button is stamped with an "E", a sign that it was made by Eureka Innovation Labs.
The difference from the original reissue model is that it will have a limited number of tags and an "E" stamped on the back of the button. When I asked Mr. Paul, "Does it mean 'Big E'?" He replied, "It's the "E" in EUREKA. If it had been a big E, it would have been better (laughs).
-But then again, what does a reissue model mean to a vintage store?
If the original 1942 model were found dead stock, it would cost tens of millions of yen, but if it were a reissue, it would be in the price range where one could wear it as a fashion item.
Many customers come to "Belvergine" and ask, "I can't afford vintage clothes, so I decided to buy Levi's Vintage Clothing (®︎). Can you glue it for me? Many customers come to us for advice. I would be very happy if these customers could experience the charm of good jeans through the reissued models and someday wear vintage jeans as well.
. - I think this reissue project is an encouraging story not only for denim, but also for those who pursue what they love.
It is a dream come true for a mere vintage clothing store manager to be able to work with a world-class company on a product, and as a denim lover, I couldn't be happier if this new discovery in the history of 501®︎XX, which has now been reissued, helps to promote the development of Levi's ®︎ and the appeal of jeans. . It would be great if we could work to convey the appeal of denim and jeans at the next 30th anniversary as well!
LEVI'S® VINTAGE CLOTHING 501®︎XX 1942MODEL ¥140,800
The 1942 model reissued this time was produced for only a few months during the transition period from the 1937 model to the World War II model. Generally speaking, the 1942 model is considered to be a World War II model, but this particular piece has a cinch back and the back yoke is tailored in the opposite direction. The denim fabric is a luxurious denim made in the White Oak factory of the now defunct Cone Mills, Inc.
