The FlatHead was established in 1996 by Masayoshi Kobayashi.  Kobayashi took vintage denim from the 1920’s through to the 1960’s and deconstructed it to analyze the precise dyeing and stitching techniques.  He then set out to produce classic styled clothing made in the same manner as the original garments.  As part of this process, he uses only specially selected high quality material and employs highly skilled Japanese craftsmen.

The FlatHead’s selvedge denim is woven on old-style shuttle looms that can ,make only 50 meters of denim per day, however approximately 3 meters of fabric is required to make each pair of jeans,  this is a labour of love.  The shuttle loom process is time consuming, but the dnim produced has a different “touch” and “feel” to that of denim produced on modern looms, thus giving the FlatHead denim products the aura of vintage denim.

As far as the dyeing process is concerned, only the surface of the thread is dyed with indigo, the centre of the thread staying white.  The result of this “loop dyeing” is that as the jeans wear with age the denim fades in a beautiful and authentic fashion.

In addition to denim jeans, jackets and shirts, The FlatHead also produces a wide range of other authentically created garments.  These include shirts, T shirts, leather goods and knitwear.

Kobayashi says that “At the time of purchase the product is only half complete, it is only fully complete once the garment has melded itself to the unique shape of the individual”