Kapital Clothing was founded in 1984 with a rebellious spirit and a passion for freedom of expression. For over 35 years, we’ve dedicated ourselves to creating high-quality, one-of-a-kind clothing that allows people to showcase their individuality.
Our story begins in Okayama, Japan, known as the denim capital of the world. This is where our co-founders, father and son duo Toshikiyo and Kiro Hirata, set up shop. They had no signage on their original storefront, just two lucky horseshoes hanging above the door.
Stepping through that doorway opened up a world of vibrant cultural mashups and conversations. The clothes spoke for themselves, each piece bursting with its own tale begging to be told. Every garment is intricately crafted to showcase the story within. Some whisper mischief and adventure, while others relate lessons from the past.
The Hiratas have an artistic spirit that shines through in each design. They don’t view themselves as artists, but as craftsmen. Yet their passionate dedication to creativity and individual expression blurs the lines. Their success stems from an inner drive to keep pushing boundaries, not external motivations.
This renegade heart still beats strong. We remain devoted to making clothes that empower people to embrace their uniqueness. Our goal is to produce pieces that highlight the beauty in imperfection and evoke the richness of cultural diversity.
The Kapital Difference
What makes us stand apart? Here are a few of our brand’s key qualities:
- Revolutionary designs – We’re always experimenting with new textiles, fabrics, distressed effects, and construction methods. Our aim is to create clothing no one has seen before.
- Intensive craftsmanship – Every item involves meticulous detail oriented handiwork. We build each garment to last and tell its own distinctive narrative.
- Fearless originality – Kapital celebrates those who dare to be different. Our clothes are made to give you the confidence to express your individuality.
- High quality materials – From rare vintage fabrics to unique custom developed textiles, we source special materials to match our unconventional vision.
- Ethical production – We work closely with our production partners to ensure ethical treatment. Kapital is proudly made in Japan using centuries-old artisanal techniques.
- Eco-conscious efforts – We strive to reduce waste, reuse materials, and recycle. Our boro patchwork fabric salvages vintage textiles and gives them new life.
- Cultural appreciation – Kapital finds inspiration worldwide. We honor multi-culturalism while promoting diversity. Our designs merge Eastern and Western sensibilities.
Everything we do stems from a passion for creativity, individuality, and pensively crafted clothing. Kapital garments are wearable works of art.
A History of Nonconformity
Kapital’s pioneering spirit has roots extending back over a century. In the late 1800s, Kiro Hirata’s grandfather started a textile factory that specialized in boro – rough woven cotton textiles.
At the time, boro was considered a fabric only the poor would wear. But this common cloth gave rise to an astonishing form of folk art. Laborers customized their boro workwear by creatively patching and layering scraps of fabric.
Kiro’s father, Toshikiyo Hirata, recognized the vibrant beauty in these peasant rags. In 1984, Toshikiyo established Kapital to preserve the art of boro while pioneering new forms of textile craftsmanship and self-expression.
The 1980s were a time of cultural blossoming in Japan. As economic growth spread, Japanese youth found themselves free to challenge societal norms. Kapital became part of this rising street culture.
Kiro Hirata joined his father in leading Kapital towards fashion innovation. Though denim dominated the Japanese market, they boldly introduced new materials and silhouettes.
Kapital’s hometown of Okayama was rapidly becoming the denim capital of the world. So in the 1990s, Kapital began integrating denim with their own novel fabrics and custom developed textiles.
By the turn of the century, Kapital had disrupted the global fashion industry. Their avant-garde designs inspired trendsetting labels and revitalized interest in selvage denim.
Today Kapital continues to evolve. As a 3rd generation artisanal heritage brand, we keep one foot planted in our traditions while stepping bravely into the future.
Our Design Ethos
At Kapital, we believe clothes should tell stories. Our design process begins by identifying the tale we want to tell.
- What is the atmosphere, history, and emotion we wish to convey?
- What materials and textures can we use to enrich the narrative?
- How can we construct the garment to create an experience that awakens the senses?
We approach each piece as its own work of wearable art. Our goal is to craft clothing loaded with soul and possibilities waiting to be discovered.
Here are a few of the design elements we use to make that vision a reality:
Vintage Fabrics
Kapital has an extensive archive of vintage materials accumulated over decades. Our designers meticulously select antique textiles that add patina and depth.
Japanese boro patchwork gets reimagined into modern forms. Beautifully faded momotaro denim gets new life. And rare fabrics like vintage hanjiro coats or turn-of-the-century worker’s jumpsuits become unlikely inspiration.
By repurposing and recontextualizing antique cloths, we make the old new again. Each garment allows you to connect to the past while celebrating the future.
Custom Textiles
While we treasure vintage materials, Kapital also constantly develops new custom fabrics.
Our skilled textile craftsmen use inventive weaving and dyeing techniques to produce fabrics found nowhere else. Naturally dyed navy kasuri kimonos and intricate kechi stripe linens take traditional methods into contemporary contexts.
Meanwhile, novelties like boro patchwork corduroy, scrubby double-faced fleece, and ring-spun neppy denim further expand the Kapital textile lexicon. We’ll continue concocting composite weaves, twisted yarns, and fabric manipulations that push boundaries.
Distressing & Dyeing
Kapital garments often look like they’ve survived a thousand adventures. Our designers use various distressing and dyeing processes to add wear, texture, and patina.
We create “sun-faded” effects on knits and jackets using wooden mallets and stones for a rough, lived-in feel. Custom formulated dyes produce variegated tones inspired by desert camouflage or cloudy mountainscapes. And nubby blanket coats get “thrashed” until the wool fibers form dramatic textural ripples.
These imperfections and irregularities give each item its own personality and story. Our clients provide the rest of the tale through their adventures wearing Kapital.
Layering & Construction
Innovative construction and detailing let our garments evolve over time. Elements like quilted lining, removable hoods and sleeves, and modular layering allow for endless configurations.
An oversized pocket becomes a bonus bag. A quilted vest pairs with shell jackets for modular wear. And a simple denim jacket transforms through the addition of an indigo-dyed wool hood and shaggy vest liner.
By building adaptable functionality into our clothes, Kapital empowers clients to reimagine their pieces season after season. The garment’s tale continues evolving through new styling and inventive layering.
Fearless Curation
Our designers find inspiration everywhere and are not afraid to merge styles from disparate cultures. A vintage French military cape gets remade in a chopper motorcycle silhouette with an African mudcloth lining.
Boro work shirts meet English ring jacket hunting coats and 19th century striped prison uniforms. Thenheavy metal tees combine with hand loom weaves and mud-dyed chilli peppers. This freeform curation of worldly artifacts is quintessentially Kapital.
Through it all, meticulous craftsmanship binds everything together into a coherent vision. Our goal is to provide you with clothing that inspires adventure while richly communicating the Kapital design ethos.
The Kapital Community
While Kapital has grown into a global brand, we remain a tight-knit community. Our clients have been intrinsic to nurturing the organic street culture that birthed the label.
Early adopters were designers, vintage dealers, musicians, and youth tribe leaders. They spread the Kapital spirit by wearing our clothes out in the world. Their adventures inspired us, and seeing our garments well-worn gave deeper meaning to our work.
We hope to foster that same intimate connection with all our clients. To us, you’re not just customers – you’re comrades. When you don the distressed denim and soft knits we’ve thoughtfully designed, you become part of our story.
Please share your experiences with us. We want to see how each piece transforms through your personal journey. Together we’ll keep pioneering self-expression through clothing that empowers individuality.
If you appreciate craftsmanship, quality materials, and freedom of spirit, you have found your tribe here. Welcome to the Kapital community. We can’t wait to see where our combined stories lead.
