Ika – Naked & Famous x Momotaro Jeans

Tuomas – G003-MB Copper Label Momotaro Jeans

Rob – 0901 Vintage Label Momotaro Jeans

Do you remember Bluce? How cool is that?

The end of the week went by swiftly and my blog updates are pretty much been on draft level for the past few days. However this is bound to change now as I feel I must write a nice little summary on my Vintage 0901 project. As mentioned the project came into an end as you guys voted for the change. The newest project is Copper Label G003-MB and that project is well under way. But still I will share another set of pictures of these wonderful Vintage Label jeans before putting the focus on the new project.

So without further due I let’s take a look back at the journey and finally check out some detailed pics of the jeans at their current state.

In the beginning the jeans were rigid, almost black indigo masterpiece. There is nothing better than a fresh pair of heavy oz Japanese denim jeans. I mean who doesn’t love a pair of new jeans?

I think one of the greatest moments in the project was the first soaking. Instead of the basic bucket I gave the jeans a soaking in the fresh waters of a Finnish lake. It’s not the Seto Sea but hey, it’s different. A proper hang drying on a tree branch just to top if off.

The summer was great time. It was warm, and the jeans started to show little wear and tear. Well not so much tear but definitely wear. The fit had improved a great deal following the soaking and the jeans had become like my second skin.

The jeans had been soaked and washed several times when I decided to do a comparison between the jeans in their original form and the current state. Well the difference was very visible.

Vintage 0901 meets beach and sand…

The jeans were worn non-stop just like my RMC belt bought a bit over a year ago and when the jeans only started to show some wear my belt cut its contract with the belt loop. But I do have to say that the belt is still going strong, even sans the loop.

Every summer has to come to an end but the the sunlight fortunately lasted until late Autumn and below few sunny Autumn pictures of the jeans.

Then came the winter and the elements like freezing weather as well as snow. The jeans are awesome for winter wear as the heavy oz denim fares really well at even freezing temperatures like -20 Degrees Celsius. They don’t mind the snow either, heh.

And now here we are… Taking a look at the jeans as they are right now. I have to say I do not switch to the new project with a light heart. The jeans are getting the more you wear them and they keep evolving. It seems that every week brings in new features. But the people have voted and I will take on another challenge for the year 2010.

So without any longer explanations, below a set of pics at their current state.

Below a pic of the tear in this wear & tear project. Not much considerign the beating the jeans were put through and somehow this little rip fits the jeans very nicely. Gives them a bit more “edge”, as if the jeans were not edgy enough already.

Thus these jeans will go to the same shelf with my previous projects just waiting to get back into wearing. I have to say this will definitely be the last you hear and see of these jeans but the focus will probably be on the Copper Label for a while. That’s all for this edition of Vintage 0901. We’ve got a great week ahead, the year has started well and I guess it will continue the same way.

Today was a snow day, and I hope I have me a … snow night? Yes, today was indeed a snowy, winter day. Even Helsinki got covered in snow.

It’s 10pm now and it’s still snowing.

Snow day in some locations means an off day from schools for instance, mostly due to traffic problems and such. In our neck of the woods it just means that a lot of people on the street look happier. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that with snow it’s much brighter. Winter is an extremely dark season so every bit helps. So more snow please. Also what would Christmas be without snow? Yes, I know it would still be Christmas but a Christmas sans snow. For us the snow day also resulted in a short server maintenance. The maintenance caused our site to be out of reach for few hours as well as some lagged email traffic. For that, we apologize. Sometimes it feels as if things such as these are just out of your control. So we put it on the snow day.

Nevertheless, the recent snowfalls have been a pleasant surprise (I am sure some drivers would disagree) but I was starting to get worried that my Momotaro 0901 project would not meet proper snow before my next project. But stand outside for five minutes and you’ll be looking like Frosty the Snowman, just take a look at my jeans.

The 0901 project will carry on until end of the year (at least), but on that note I will soon post a little poll where you, the readers have a chance to decide my next denim project. Although I’m very attached to my 0901s I am also rather excited about the new project. But more of this later.

And in case you haven’t seen it yet, the Official Iron Man 2 Trailer is out and gets my stamp of approval.

Now I am off to get some “well earned” rest. Be easy and if you can embrace the snow, you never know when it’s gone. Peace.

Back with an update on the 0901 project. Basically I could be calling this edition the XVIII-XX, but for clarity and basically just for the sound of it, I’m calling it week XX, for that it is. Twenty weeks in the most wear I have every put to any of my jeans to this date. What can I say, I do love my jeans.

Last time I promised some fit pics, so here we go. After 5 months of wear, tear and several washes, the jeans still fit great.

The seagulls were acting real weird, I felt like I was part of Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds. Lucky I didn’t have any food with me. The seagulls are really aggressive during the summer, they’re kind of like the monkeys in South-East Asia. You know if you got any food, they might try to free you from that food.

The last fit pic better shows the vertical fading of the jeans. As I might have mentioned before, usually the fades are best visible in light environment like a bright day, heh.

And as usual, some closeups of the jeans. When you wear the jeans everyday you don’t really realize just how much they have changed in the past months but when you have a look at the pics, well you get the drift.

The fading is really visible in the front of the jeans. Nothing beats a naturally faded pair of jeans.

The back of the jeans shows signs of wear on the back pockets, hidden rivets, belt loop and of course the seat.

The back of the legs show nice lines which have formed there in time.

And the roping effect in the cuffs.

After last wash I realised that the jeans did not have all that much change in comparison to some time back and now as the denim has somewhat taken its shape, the major change from now on will be further fading of the deep indigo color. The faded parts of the jeans give some indication of where we’re heading, heh.

But I think that’s good for now. Let’s see if there are any major changes with the jeans in the next weeks following this. Naturally there are changes every day, but the question is whether you notice the changes or not.

Anyway, the weekend is almost here. Take care of yourself and be easy, I know I will. Peace.

My Momotaro project is moving ahead at a nice pace. Last week I had a chance to hit the beach and enjoy the summer weather. Well the whole trip was a bit extempore and I did not have my shorts along. No worries, cuff the jeans and voila you have a pair of shorts, heh. Well it was all good. Some might shuck at the idea of wearing heavy oz denim during the summer, but hey each their own. Wearing my jeans in the sand is all good, not something I would probably think of straight away but it’s a wear and tear project after all, heh.

The jeans are showing more signs of wear by the day and they are now getting the normal treatment that means I wash them every two weeks or so to keep them fresh. Usually a cold hand wash does the trick.

The fit is pretty much the same as it has been for the past few months. No more shrinking as a result of washing and the jeans have adjusted really well.

I added some more detailed pics this time, as last time I only had camera phone available for the pics. I don’t usually keep much stuff in the coin pocket but since I keep my phone in the front pocket the coin pocket front is als osubjected to constant rubbing.

The cuffs are looking pretty mugged as I have recently opted to not cuff my jeans. But still the damage is not that severe as the jeans have pretty good length right now.

Visible lines probably from all that sitting in front of computer most of the day.

The back pockets also show more wear already. Like I mentioned before, the wear on the back pockets is rather subtle as I seldom carry anythin in my back pockets.

The jeans have not really faded/ dropped indigo all that much although I have washed them few times. Washing the jeans in cold water really helps retaining the color. It’s not just the color but the shrinking as well. Want to minimize the shrinking, wash the jeans in cold water.

That should show where I’m heading with the jeans. Still I feel that I need to add even more wear and tear but the jeans are keeping up very well in my subtle acid test. The fabric has softened nicely and although the jeans are still quite tough, you don’t have that startched feeling to them. I guess someone could say they are more comfortable to wear in your everyday life.

Alright I think that’s good for now. Plenty to do. Stay tuned, I’ll be back with more in a bit. Now I’m out.

Once again slight delay in posting this stuff as I spent my day in Tampere, Finland. So shout out to Tampere!

Now back to business. Early on I had planned to spend like six months without throwing my jeans into the washing machine, well that came into a halt last Saturday at the end of week ten on my current denim project. I know, I know, I should have worn them longer before introducing the jeans to the washing machine but could felt like it was about time to wash em’.

To play it safe, I did wash the jeans in cool water and put the machine into hand wash mode. Haha, it sounds like I’m washing some age old silk dress, getting all stressed out about washing a pair of jeans. But it’s all good. Just to make sure there was not much shrinking on the waist I gave the jeans a good stretch straight after the wash and few more stretches while the jeans were drying.

The result…

The jeans still have a very nice fit (perhaps even better) and they did not shrink all that much from the waist. The length of the jeans was reduced a bit but hey, now I don’t have to cuff my jeans at all. The soaking few weeks back shrunk the jeans already so there was no major shrinking. The wash pretty much just brought out the fading of the jeans and the color is still deep blue, good stuff.

Just few pics of the aftermath:

The leather patch remained in good health as well. After more washes the leather patch is bound to get a more worn look, but it’s still like new.

One of the advantages of vintage chain-stitching hemming is the nice roping effect after washing.

The project continues and I look forward to seeing how the jeans develop. So wash your jeans with good conscience, although might I add that the indigo does wash off a bit after every wash so for nice personal fading effect, do give the jeans plenty of wear before washing them. (I guess I could have a note here saying, in the end jeans are jeans and it is the wearer that makes the pair personal no matter how often you wash them, heh)

Quick reminder on the Nordic Denim House x Kitmeout competition which is still on until 30th of June, so remember to check that out.

That’s all for now. Stay true everyone. I’m out… or like Arnold said it, I’ll be back!

Busy week once again but hey that’s OK. On the real, I’ve been waiting to see Lakers in the NBA finals since last year and g’damn, they’re doing their thing. Now, I do have to apologize for showing such favoritism. What can I say, always been a Laker fan. Well I know I’m not the only one. For instance Undefeated (known Laker fans) recently launched T-shirt and caps in Laker colors in the spirit of the NBA finals.

Back to business. In the last edition (can’t believe it’s been two weeks already) I has just soaked my 0901s and celebrated the starting of the Finnish summer season. Well in the past few days things done changed and now it’s like it was Autumn already. Folks aren’t running around in their shorts and Tees no more, no they’re all back to wearing their winter jackets, heh.

Well past few weeks I’ve been helping my cousin moving to a new house and made an extempore visit to Tampere, which is quite a nice city if I may add. Other than that it’s been that sitting on your ass office routine, lots of it. All that aside, this week I’m posting more detailed pics of the jeans inside out.

Front…

Back…

The jeans indeed have a slightly lighter blue hue now after the soaking. The deep blue color is still there though. But the fading is however starting to show up more clearly every day.

The backside of the jeans is showing signs of wear with the belt loop still being probably the most faded part of the jeans, heh.

New lines have formed around the front of the jeans especially the pocket areas as well. Didn’t actually realise the wear until recently. Well I do tend to keep my wallet and phone in the front pockets so no wonder the pockets show some wear.

Now that jeans are soaked, the length was decreased with an inch or two, which is actually great as now the jeans have pretty much perfect fit for me. The jeans have stretched back a bit in the past two weeks which is great. This brings up the shrink to fit element of the Momotaro jeans. The jeans shrink a bit after the washes and then stretch back again. However the fact that I don’t need to cuff my jeans all that much anymore is starting to show in the hems of my trusted jeans.

I guess the slightly distressed cuffs give the jeans a bit more edge. Ruff and rugged look you see, haha.

One thing that I will probably do with my next denim project is that I will give the jeans a soaking first and only start the wear and tear afterwards. This is something important to note if you’re getting a pair of unsanforized raw jeans, remember to soak them before getting them hemmed/chainstitched. The length will be decreased and you don’t want to end up with jeans that are too short.

Short “PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT”:
Check out the Nordic Denim House x Kitmeout competition and stand a chance to win a pair of Momotaro jeans. Also, although the air is a bit chilly at the moment cop a fresh tee for the summer, all KIKS TYO -tees are still available at discounted prices.

That’s all for now. Be easy and have an enjoyable weekend. I’m out…

Sorry for the delay in posting stuff lately but I went all out and had me a two day vacation, heh. I like to live dangerous you see…

Well now we are back with another edition of Vintage 0901. I mentioned earlier that I would give my jeans their well earned soaking only in July. However I thought that I would speed up the process a bit and went ahead and soaked the jeans already last week. I know, I know it’s shocking but I guess I just can’t wear jeans for 6 months without soaking them haha. So it was just a matter of time.

Still I want to see what the jeans are all about and really wear them whenever, wherever, so on Thursday before soaking the jeans I took them for a spin in the friendly schoolyard basketball court. I am pretty sure you’re not supposed to be playing basketball in your jeans but hey all went well, heh.

After the game we headed to a peaceful lakeside surrounding for some time off. Not too shabby.

The jeans have really got their fair share of wear and it’s starting show. However below some pictures of the jeans before soaking.

Well, off to the soaking. I could have just thrown the jeans into the water and soaked them as such, but would it now be cooler to wear the jeans into the water!

Although I did probably dye the already “blue lake” with the indigo of my 0901s my legs did not turn blue. I did not really leave the jeans into water for an extensively long time, well hell the water was still rather cold.

After rinsing the possible sand from the jeans I decided to hang dry them in a natural way (see below).

The aftermath of the soaking is that the jeans have lost a bit of length and a bit of width, but they fit even better now. Shrink to fit and everything. They will probably shrink a bit more after the next soaking but not much I think.

After drying the jeans for the night (they literally took the whole night and the morning as well to dry), I snapped few photos of the jeans in their post-soaking form.

As mentioned the jeans did not shrink all too much, of course the expected inch here and there due to the raw form but not too bad. The fades are somewhat highlighted now, but that’s all good. The saga continues and I continue walking with my jeans on, this time with the dog, heh.

It’s rainy day today but hey rain only freshens the air and who don’t like fresh. Prosperous week to y’all and be hearing from ya. I’m out…

We finally got the site updated for the Spring season. Next up, summer! The weathers are getting better as well and the cool breeze is almost gone. Well the early mornings are still a bit cold but hey it is what it is.

Few updates. For the spring season this week we got new True Religion Straight Leg Billy jeans for the ladies. A great pair of jeans for different occasions and especially for the upcoming summer.

Another product update is the Gold Skull Chain jeans from The Year Of… A new design available in limited numbers only.

Enough of the introductions, ahead with the 0901 status raport!

I have not gone out hiking or anything with the jeans and the urban environment does not really have a dramatic effect on the jeans. The great fading qualities of the Momotaro are however starting to show. I was supposed to post detailed pictures of the fades only at week IV but I guess now is as good time as any. The great thing about the fading is that it really portrays your lifestyle. I spend most of my time in the office, sitting in front of my notebook nose glued to the screen and my jeans are starting to show this.

When I started wearing the jeans just three weeks ago the jeans were nearly black. Now the Japanese Indigo Blue is starting to appear with the fades. Naturally the jeans are still real dark and the fades are barely visible, but the blue color should become more apparent after the first soaking of the jeans. I am looking forward to seeing some fading pictures of Gold label jeans, which have a different blue color. So if you have been wearing in Gold label jeans, do send us some pics to info@nordicdenimhouse.com.

Due to all that sitting, the back pockets show the most fading but the front pocket where I carry my wallet shows signs of wear and tear as well. I tend to carry my wallet as well as my phone in the front pockets instead the back. Otherwise the back pocket would probably have even more fading.

With all the focus on my jeans I have totally forgotten my RMC belt, which I got from Hong Kong last October. I have pretty much worn it every day and it is really showing. I was afraid that the belt was going to be busted like any other belt I have had in the past few years. The avergae lifespan of my belts has been 6 months. And these are supposed to be long lasting leather belts, heh. I guess this is the main reason I have not got a Louis V belt, because it would just be horrible if I had to switch to a new one every 6 months. Nevertheless my current belt has seen the world and is still serving its purpose. Wear and tear is what I am after and I don’t mind few battle scars as long as the belt stays in one piece and does not snap into two in the middle of a train trip from Orchard Road to Choa Chu Kang…

That’s all for now, will get back at y’all later with more stuff. In the meanwhile stay healthy and enjoy the rather nice spring weather.

Prosperity to Y’all…

One week done and the jeans are still pretty much in a pristine condition. For an untrained eye all of the Japanese denim seems the same, but they’re not. The Vintage label has a nice deep dye. This type of denim is quite often referred to as black denim, due to its extremely dark color. Black as it might be, the jeans have dyed some of my shoelaces blue, heh.

A word of caution to everyone new to the qualities of the raw or even one wash indigo denim. Even though the organic dye does give a nice color it does not prevent indigo bleed. So if you end up having a stroll in the rain be careful with your white shoes, shirts and inner wear, not to mention your white sofas.

The jeans will probably take a good while before settling due to the thick fabric used. Washing usually softens the jeans, but hey let’s see if I can make it six months without throwing the jeans into the good old washing machine. Maybe after 6 months the jeans will have the same look as my The Year Of.. Dog jeans.
My significant other started wearing in a pair of Momotaro Lady’s line about a month ago but I doubt that she’s gonna put her pair through the same acid test as your’s truly.

Just have to say I am glad that spring and summer for that matter are just behind the corner. Was it winter and my jeans would get that above mentioned wear and tear a lot faster with all that snow and messy streets. So let’s see what the summer has in store for us and for our JEANS.

Be easy everyone and get back at you real soon…

Peiz…