About the Origin Hoodie
The Origin Hoodie is a prototype of the modern hoodie, designed by attaching a hood directly to a sweatshirt. It was originally developed by Champion around 1930.
It was created to help workers withstand the harsh winter cold. However, due to the sewing technology at the time, it was challenging to sew thick fabric. It wasn't until a new sewing method was developed that this design became feasible.
Vintage models featured materials like wool or cotton, with some being unlined, double-faced with matching fabric, or thermal.
This time, to ensure extended wear, the lining is finished with circular brushed fleece instead of double-faced fabric. The ribbed parts are in a coarser salt-and-pepper gray than the usual gray melange.
The pocket details are a new separate pocket design instead of the traditional kangaroo pocket.
BONCOURA's Commitment to Creating Genuine Loopwheeled Fabric
Just like with denim, we pay meticulous attention to every detail from the blend of raw cotton to the twist of the yarn in our loopwheeled fabric. The texture, feel, and color of the fabric vary depending on the type and origin of the raw cotton. We carefully combine these elements to create the ideal fabric.
The Art of Color and Heather
We are incredibly particular about the colors and heather effects in our fabrics, striving to create something truly unique. As we worked on the samples, we were amazed to find that even a 1% change in the color blend resulted in a completely different hue. That 1% might seem insignificant, but it is a crucial factor in determining the color and heather effect, and we could not afford to compromise. We repeatedly adjusted the blend ratios of the raw cotton, made yarn, and knitted samples, engaging in endless trial and error until we achieved the desired color.
The Challenges of Loopwheeling
Another challenge is that even if we temporarily knit with the yarn to get a rough idea of the color, the actual color of the loopwheeled fabric also depends on the loopwheeling process. We cannot fully understand the final outcome until we actually knit it on a vintage loopwheeled machine. The final judgment was made based on trusting my own intuition and experience.
Creating Depth in Fabric Color
To give the fabric color depth, we mix multiple colors. It often surprises people to learn that we don’t use any gray color at all to achieve the gray heather effect. We employ various techniques during the raw cotton and blending stages to create our unique heather texture.
Using Precious Vintage Loopwheeled Machines
We use rare vintage loopwheeled machines, which typically produce only about 10 meters of fabric per day. However, due to the special care we take, we can produce only 7 meters of fabric per day.
Limited Production
To put it in perspective, this is not even enough fabric to produce four of BONCOURA's standard hoodies in a day. Though it may seem inefficient, this process imparts a unique texture that cannot be replicated by any other means.
From Circular Napping to Final Finishing
While the raw materials and knitting have a significant impact on the fabric's texture, the final finishing touches also play a crucial role in how the fabric feels. There are only a few factories in Japan capable of circular napping, just as with loopwheeling, and the number of skilled craftsmen is limited. We have found and partnered with a trusted factory to achieve this.
BONCOURA's Loopwheeled Fabric: A Commitment to Excellence
From raw materials to knitting and final finishing, BONCOURA's loopwheeled fabric is created with an uncompromising commitment to quality.
size | Length | shoulder width | bust | Sleeve Length |
36 | 67.5 | 55 | 132 | 62 |
38 | 70 | 57 | 136 | 63 |
40 | 72 | 59 | 140 | 65 |
Delivery preferences