On the radar this week, we are zooming into our friends at Heddels who produced a tasty studio visit to FDMTL in Tokyo. It’s interesting to watch indigo sprout, bloom, blossom, and start to decay throughout the world and I often find myself meditating on whether or not denim is testing the sands of time through a harsh trend-based landscape.

Gaku Tsuyoshi started FDMTL in 2005 because he could not find denim with the fits or washes he was looking for. The brand produced distressed jeans for several years before expanding into indigo fabrics and patchwork designs. Tsuyoshi has established partnerships that have allowed him to expand into several product categories outside of his core apparel collection.

In 2016, an indigo patchwork design was used on projects for Vans and Dover Street Market Ginza. In 2017, collaborations with Vans, New Era, and Masterpiece will all use a new Deep Indigo Collection design. Other notable collaborations include Jam Homemade, Chup, Danner, and Seviskig. So what makes FDMTL strike out from the many other boro-embracing, indigo craving, and workwear energised labels who pride themselves on Okayama production?

Heddels spent the afternoon with Tsuyoshi at FDMTL’s flagship store, Catii Tokyo, in Meguro. He spoke to us about his roots in denim, his love for boro fabric, and his recent successful creative collaborations.

The video is filmed and directed by Vancouver-based Ryan Lindow.