Denim Explained: Fullcount Denim

Welcome to Denim Explained with Jon, Danali's denim focused show where Jon spills his knowledge on all things denim and more! Jon is excited to share with you everything he knows and if there is anything you want to know, just ask! Cheers!

In the third episode, Jon explains Fullcount Denim's mission to create the most comfortable pair of jeans available. Fullcount draws inspiration from 1940s-1950s Levi's, emphasizing vintage fades and resilient fabrics.

Video Transcription:

Edited for clarity

Hi, I’m John, and this is Denim Explained.

So how does Fullcount differ from our other Japanese brands? I think the simplest way to put it is they are trying to create the most comfortable denim in the history of the world. They found out that was 1940s-1950s Levi’s and they set out to replicate them.

Of the Osaka five, Fullcount were the first to pick Zimbabwe cotton. Fullcount is very focused on trying to create these beautiful vintage fades and again, the softest, most comfortable, most resilient fabrics.

And why is it called Fullcount? Well, the owner, he is all about everything Americana, to the point where he named his company after that pivotal moment in baseball, three balls, two strikes, where you're either going to make it or break it, and I think they made it.

Fullcount Denim:

Founded in 1993, Fullcount embarked on a journey to capture the essence and quality of vintage American denim. Mr. Mikiharu Tsujita journey began by meticulously deconstructing old jeans to uncover the secrets of craftsmanship.

Fullcount made history as the first Japanese denim brand to use Zimbabwe cotton. This hand-picked, organic cotton, known for its exceptional strength and softness, played a pivotal role in putting Japanese denim on the global stage. While this fabric is now a staple in the industry, it was a groundbreaking innovation when Mikiharu Tsujita launched Fullcount denim three decades ago.

Read our deep dive on Fullcount

The Osaka 5:

The Osaka 5 describes a group of five influential Japanese denim labels—Studio D'Artisan, Denime, Evisu, Fullcount, and Warehouse—that reshaped the global denim landscape during the 1980s and 1990s. Operating out of Osaka, these brands reintroduced heritage American production methods, embracing vintage shuttle looms and natural dye processes to craft meticulously made, authentic raw selvedge denim.

Zimbabwe Cotton:

Zimbabwean cotton is a sought after, premium hand picked fiber known for creating denim that is remarkably soft yet incredibly strong. Grown in optimal conditions, it produces extra long, high luster staples prized by leading Japanese denim brands such as Fullcount for exceptional comfort, durability, and rich indigo fades that develop character over time.