Jeans that cry out to be worn

A MAN with a passion for premium Japanese jeans , Tuchawee Sonthirati launched his own label Indigoskin eight years ago, blending the well-crafted Japanese denim with hand-woven and hand-printed Thai fabrics that attest to the charm of the Thai culture.
His premium jeans go for anywhere between Bt4,000 to Bt10,000 a pair yet lovers of denim appear more than willing to shell out as much as they would for a top international brand. The reason, they say, lies in the quality and unique look.

Indigoskin shop at Siam Center offers a selection of wellcrafted Japanese denim with a hint of Thainess.

“During the first four years, I was constantly asked why my prices were so high,” Tuchawee tells The Sunday Nation. “The answer was simple: I wanted to offer my jeans as an option for anyone seeking real quality merged a touch of Thainess. We’re committed to creating only the finest quality products and for the last four years, no one has posed the question.” 
Starting with a small store at Suan Lum Night Bazaar, the brand moved to other and more upmarket locations as it gained in popularity. Today it’s on the third floor of Siam Center and the collection extends beyond jeans to jackets, hoodies, T-shirts, backpacks and leather wallets.

Cotton twill jacket with embroidered black owl pattern on the back

The logo uses the traditional Thai motif of the flame-like kanok, which is incorporated into the back pockets of the jeans in the brand’s basic 
 series. The basic collection is hand crafted from dry salvaged denim obtained from Japan’s Kaihara Textile Mill, which has been producing indigo-dyed fabrics for more than a century. The pockets are lined with patterned cotton inspired by Thai traditional arts. The embossed buttons come in silver, gold and copper, which signify fortune.
“About 90 per cent of our customers are Thai,” says Tuchawee. “The basic collection is popular among young professionals who used to wear premium international brands before finding out about us.”

Basic series jeans

The basic series are cut from sanforised denim that has been stretched, fixed and shrunk in length at the mill. This is done in order to reduce the amount of shrinkage that can happen after your jeans’ first wash. This process of stretching and shrinking leads to smoother looking denim and suits wearers after a modern look.

Indigoskin’s vintage series is made from unsanforised denim, which is also known as loomstate or shrink-to-fit denim. The fabric is dyed multiple times to achieve a rich dark indigo shade and as they fade, the jeans take on their own unique look with intricate tonal shades. 
 “In the making of vintage Series, we implement traditional production techniques including riveting and chain stitching on a 70 year-old vintage shuttle loom. These jeans are fitted with genuine leather labels and indigo-dyed pocket liners produced by Thai villagers in the Northeastern province of Sakon Nakhon,” he says.
Every year Indigoskin invites its loyal customers to vote for the best-looking vintage jeans. This year’s five winning used jeans are currently on show at the store to showcase the tonal fading shades and the different types of wear patterns that may appear, such as honeycombs on the back of the knee or whiskers on the thighs. Each pair uniquely reflects the lifestyle of a wearer.

S series jeans produced in Japan

The premium S (supreme) series, priced at Bt10,000 a pair, is intricately made from exclusive denim produced by a textile mill in Japan’s denim capital Okayama. A new collection is launched every three years.
“It’s exclusive because we choose the type of cotton, the technique of weaving and the process of indigo dyeing ourselves. The fabric is a combination of Zimbabwe and American cottons, which ensures strength, softness and a vintage look. The jeans are edged in gold, silver, and copper thread while the waist band liner and pocket liners are made from indigo-dyed, hand-woven fabrics from Sakon Nakhon. This collection’s special because all items are crafted in Japan,” says Tuchawee.

Skinny fit shorts

In addition to the slim fit and straight fit jeans, Indigoskin also offers skinny fit denim with spandex added for comfort. A selection of denim shorts for women is also available. 

DELICIOUS IN DENIM
Indigoskin is on the third floor of Siam Center. It’s open daily from 10 to 10. A second branch can be found at the Kantary Terrace on Nimman Soi 12 in Chiang Mai. 
Call (083) 783 6226 or visit www.IndigoskinJeans.com.