Soft, break-in, and durable workwear
Tae Ikenaga (Leather sewing craftsman)
Taiei Ikenaga, who works at a leather sewing workshop, works hard, making full use of the unique qualities of classic workwear.
"For example, in the leather cutting process, you rest your elbows and hips on the workbench and slide your body across it, repeating this motion hundreds of times a day. Each time, your clothes rub against it, but denim is virtually undamaged. The apron provided to me when I joined the company is full of repairs, but it's still in use. You couldn't do this without work-related clothing."
Ikenaga's style is to stick to his work clothes to the fullest. He has a routine of breaking them in before taking them off.
“Denim is usually stiff and uncomfortable, so I break it in for about a month before wearing it to work. I’ve had my Levi’s® jacket for over 20 years, and it’s a completely different thing now. I’m trying to maintain my new Colemine Guaranteed jeans to achieve the same look. The softer my workwear is, the more I use it. That’s how it becomes my ultimate partner.”
The apron has a split crotch, making it easy to move your legs when sitting. 
To prevent the leather from getting moldy, he keeps his boots cold in the winter and hot in the summer. He puts sheepskin insoles in his winter boots to keep them warm. In the summer, he loves the Birkenstock Boston sandals, which have protected toes. 
Every morning, I sharpen my leather knives and head to the workshop. 
Jacket waiting to be shipped.
