- In 1896, corduroy was woven for the first time in Japan,
in Enshu area which locates the western part of Shizuoka. It has already been more than 100 years since then. . .
Corduroy stepped into a new stage. Polka-dots, plaids, Milky Way, coffee beans. . .
We have succeeded to create new geometric designs you have never seen before.
The new corduroy “BECCO” is now becoming very popular in the fashion industry
in both Japan and overseas as a brand-new textile born in Enshu where the first corduroy was created in Japan.
We used to call corduroy “Becco” since long time ago in Enshu.
Introducing corduroy once again to the world; and transmitting the techniques polished by craftsmen over 100 years.
We named the new corduroy fabric “BECCO” with such hopes.
- There were 1620 weaving factories in 1973 in the western part of Shizuoka. However, the textile industry has totally changed after Plaza agreement in 1985. The textile production area declined because of the price competition with foreign products and now there are only 88 factories left in 2016.
The industry might only last for 10 years thinking of the average age of the workers as 65 years old. The cultivated techniques might be lost soon. This sense of danger accelerated to start the “BECCO” project in 2014. Most of the members who joined this project are the designers who have just graduated from Art school and started working at Fukuda Orimono.
The craftsmanship and youthful energy met together. They have remodeled the weaving machines and improved after-processing, and it enabled them to create totally new designs.
