Longtime favourites Kapital make the slow march out of Japan and into more accessible retail spaces. Something most definitely to be cheerful about. Londoners will be pleased to hear it is gracing the shelves of indigo and wood emporium Anthem who we featured back in September. On the other side of the pond, Hickorees finds itself on that select list of stockists and have chosen superbly with their first drop. We picked out this tote mainly because it embodies everything the brand excels at.

Taking antique Sashiko fabric, consisting of thin layers of quilted and worn cloth, and turning it into a simple modern tote is something very few labels could do with such skill. As traditional Japanese Boro (a sister technique) begins to creep its way into fashion vocabulary, this will become one of those items that may look a little freakshow at first but will no doubt find itself replicated by less knowledgeable parties. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery after all. Find it at Hickorees if it hasn’t already flown out.

Click for images

Mid-January is the starting point for Autumn/Winter previews and we’re live in Florence, Italy for one of the first of the season. Pitti Uomo continues to offer some of the first looks at the forthcoming trends and garment heading to shops at the latter end of 2012.

But before we focus in on the stalls and booths housing seemingly endless looks from the brands we all love to follow, we step into a new area of the Pitti Uomo fair – Versus Tokyo. Brought to Italy by Yuichi Yoshii, the 20 Japanese brands showcase select looks from their collections. Many garments have been re-worked for the Italian market.

We’ll highlight some of our favorites in coming stories.

Roy Slaper of Roy Jeans returns in late in 2011 with new narrow and straight fits. Using 13oz Cone Mills “unsanforized” denim (the first unsanforized denim from Cone in more than three decades),

Roy Jeans comes correct with newly modified fits that feature detailed stitching, fully lined coin and back pockets, as well as hand-set welts “mimicking the vintage style belt-loops found on many of the best Japanese brands.” The denim is a loomstate unsanforized indigo denim that casts a subtle grey tone. Find them at Self Edge. U.S.A. made.

More look after the click.

LN-CC present some Autumn Winter action from Yuketen. The American-Japanese company continues to offer some incredible hard-wearing footwear for those who like their shoes as far away from slim and sleek as possible.

Vibram lives on, joined by the zig-zag sole for anyone averse to that bright white grip. The leopard print boat shoe is loud, proud but somehow doesn’t make us think of Joan Collins. Of course the usual styles continue with work boot, moccasin and hunting shoe inspired creations.

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Australia’s Chronicles of Never (or for those on the dark side, Chrønicles øf Never) has recently collaborated with the Harrolds on a capsule collection of denim and shirting that uses some great textiles including Italian jersey and Japanese denim. The two special washes on the denim were created by Chrønicles øf Never’s with the help of Harrold’s creative director,  Chris Kyvetos and compliment the collection which always carries a positive exaggerated fit on the garments. Worth a look in our gallery.

More look after the click.

Felice Fisher is the Luther W. Brady Curator of Japanese Art and Curator of East Asian Art and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The Art of Japanese Craft: 1875 to the Present is her most recent book. Within its pages, Fisher focuses attention on the diversity of media and technique in modern Japanese Craft. The work is exceptional as one of the first surveys of Japanese Craft, particularly contemporary craft, in English. Available now from Yale University Press.

Considered one of Japan’s finest denim houses (it all started in 1976), Studio D’Artisan has just released theXXX-28 model. Available in an edition of 161 pairs, the XXX-28 is made with Zimbabwe Cotton and a special intense rich dye from Tokushima in Japan. If that is notenough, then allow for the presentation box and banner to seal the deal on this pair of incredibly high end denim. Available now at Superdenim UK.

See more detailed views of the Studio D’Artisan XXX-28 denim after the jump.

Beginning of December Japanese retailer Uniqlo arrived in France and opened its first store in Paris. It’s good seeing Uniqlo expanding outside of Japan. The brand has a great range of basics to offer every season and a great price point.

Uniqlo Paris

Centre Commercial “Les 4 Temps”

Paris/France

Make sure to pass by on your next Paris trip!

The New York Times has a nice new article up about the recently opened Muji Flagship Store in Manhattan – The Civilized World Finds A Refugee.

“Muji’s bright cube-room on Broadway takes all the ugliness out of shopping. A refined combination of Kate’s Paperie, Uniqlo, Bed Bath & Beyond and the Container Store, it is the folded-down, crisp origami essence of a superstore. Everything here seems a necessity — stationery, bedding, flatware, rain gear — so that for once in your consumer holiday journeying, you can shop for gifts and convince yourself you are not being a slop pig.”

Check it out here.

Japanese clothing chain Uniqlo has made quite an impact in its short time outside of Japan. New York has got its own Uniqlo flagship, London got a new store as well and Paris is following soon. Hopefully the expansion goes at this speed for some time, because if you do not have one close by yet, you are definitely missing out.

The quality is good and definitely more than ok considering the price. If you are in the need of any kinds of basics, Uniqlo is the place to go. With their recent addition of t-shirts, they now also offer in that section a nice selection.

Here you get a first look at their Spring/Summer 2008 collection. They offer very solid pieces in the line, nice classic shorts, striped tees, shirts and more. Details such as the light weight fleece scarfs and the hats, make the collection less standard and boring.

Uniqlo definitely offers everything you need to fill the gaps in your wardrobe. Check out some more Spring/Summer ‘08 styles after the jump.