FOB FACTORY G3 “MAGICAL LOOM” DENIM

One thing that inspires me to write this blog is getting the chance to introduce you to new denim brands. In this case that “new” denim brand has been around since 1995. FOB FACTORY is a brand you may, or may not have heard of. But I’m betting that even if you have, you probably don’t know a whole lot about them. I didn’t. In any case, join me as I dive into the brand that has been making high quality denim garments in the city of Kurashik, of the Southern Okayama Prefecture, for over two decades.

FOB’s highly experienced craftsman take pride in creating their garments with custom fabrics and meticulous sewing techniques. They focus on fit and minimal classic styling. “Simplicity is beauty” ~ FOB FACTORY

One interesting aspect of FOB is that they continually research and develop sewing machines. modifying old American machines, in attempt to reproduce “old-fashioned details.” Something that is “impossible with mass production.”

They are influenced by the texture of military garments. They use organic cotton and rope dying (dyeing method which does not dye the core of thread) when making their own proprietary fabrics. As you will see a beautiful example of in this review.

To me this brand has two sides to it. One is classic, vintage inspired denim and work wear. The other side is more modern and less purist, like pre-faded jeans and stretch denim. The latter not being my personal cup of tea, but the important thing is always quality. On that end, FOB FACTORY definitely delivers.

Take a look at the video showing some of the behind the scenes work.

https://youtu.be/FZaIOlqDiTM

FOB FACTORY G3 “MAGICAL LOOM” DENIM REVIEW

For this very limited run project, FOB Factory has reproduced the 1950’s classic style denim, cut into a slim tapered jean and type II jacket.

Fit: (Jeans) Relaxed Tapered cut. A good amount of room in the top block and thigh that slims down nicely through the leg. (Jacket) A slim fitting type II jacket with a longer body leingth.

Fabric: 14oz unsanforized right hand twill selvedge denim using 100% American and Australian organic cotton. Rope dyed indigo warp and white weft. Ultra rough and ridged denim, slubby loose weave. the look and feel of this denim is balance perfectly. All the texture you could ever want without it looking too slubby or extreme. This is by far one of my personal favorite denims. This denim shrinks up to 10%(about a whole size) So I would size up!

The denim is woven using the restored vintage TOYODA “G3” type shuttle loom that was originally invented in 1924 by Sakichi Toyoda, the founder of TOYOTA. This world’s first non-stop automatic shuttle was called the Magical Loom. FOB Factory restored this “G3” magical shuttle loom especially for making this denim. Only skilled and experienced artisans can operate this very vintage machine. This exquisite, special denim can be woven only 5 yards an hour.

ABOUT TOYODA “G3” SHUTTLE LOOM

The G-Type Automatic Loom, which Sakichi Toyoda invented and completed in 1924, with 24 automatizations, protection, and safety devices, including the world’s first non-stop automatic shuttle change device, enabled weft supply by smoothly changing shuttles without slowing down at all while operating at high speed, which greatly contributed to the increase in productivity. The G-Type Automatic Loom was lauded as the best in the world in terms of overall performance and economic evaluation and contributed to the advancement in the textile industry of many countries.

Details (Jacket):