Pursuing a balance between functionality and comfort with Takeya from JUGEM
Jugem, a Japanese clothing brand founded in 2018, brings a mixture of city, travel and outdoor wear into their latest SS25 collection - resulting in clothes that are comfortable, practical, and playful. We sat down with founder Takeya to chat about the brands inspiration and thought process behind each design.
Experience the collection for yourself at our Brooklyn Heights shop starting May 3rd.
Hi Takeya, could you tell us a little bit about JUGEM and about yourself?
I have over 20 years of experience, having originally worked as an apparel shop staff before transitioning to OEM work for the domestic market. With the know-how I developed during that time, I wanted to create my own brand and started JUGEM.
Where does the name JUGEM come from?
The brand name is derived from a traditional Japanese proverb and was chosen with the intention of being easy to remember for people overseas. The meaning is "endless happiness."
What inspired you to start JUGEM?
The COVID-19 pandemic inspired us to make clothing we love and to enjoy the process again. That's how this project began.
We love JUGEM’s minimalist aesthetic and philosophy. What is your process to reach that perfect balance that JUGEM achieves in both functionality and comfort?
At JUGEM, we always focus on the actual needs of the users while pursuing a balance between functionality and comfort. During the design phase, we prioritize ensuring that the clothing is not only simple and refined in aesthetics but also comfortable and functional when worn. When selecting materials and creating patterns, we consider durability and ease of movement, aiming to harmonize size, comfort, and usability at a high level.
What’s your favorite item from JUGEM’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection and why?
My personal favorite from the 2025 Spring/Summer collection is the TECH RIP SHIRTS BLSN. Although the design is simple, it incorporates the latest technology to achieve comfort. Balancing lightness and functionality for spring/summer was a challenge, but I think this item has versatility that can be used in any environment.
Being so involved in the production process, could you share some noticeable trends you may have noticed in the technical manufacturing industry?
Recently, there has been a noticeable shift in the manufacturing industry towards using sustainable materials and production methods that minimize environmental impact. Additionally, with technological advancements, more efficient and precise production is possible, allowing us to deliver higher-quality, more functional products. On the other hand, there is an aging workforce in factories in both Japan and China, with a significant reduction in production space, which necessitates more planned and strategic manufacturing. We are incorporating these trends into our products.
As sustainable and environmentally friendly production becomes not only mainstream but also a global standard in many nations, what are some challenges that Double Eye or JUGEM has faced in meeting these new standards? How will you address these challenges?
During the transition to sustainable production, JUGEM is mindful of producing in small quantities (small lot) to avoid overproduction. Challenges included ensuring transparency in material procurement, streamlining production processes, and balancing costs. One thing we do at JUGEM is efficiently use leftover fabric from domestic OEM production. We are also focused on environmental considerations, and to address these challenges, we are increasing the use of recycled materials.
For example, the down jackets we use feature ALLIED FEATHER + DOWN.
We have initiated efforts with Textile Exchange and Control Union to establish measurable industry-wide standards and set up the RDS (Responsible Down Standard) certification. The RDS is the largest global certification standard in the down market, certifying over 250 million waterfowl. The RDS mark proves that every step in the supply chain has been audited and certified. Users can choose products with down that has been responsibly sourced, from production to distribution.
Currently, RDS operates as a fully independent third-party audit organization. They also incorporate feedback from animal welfare organizations throughout the supply chain. Furthermore, third-party independent organizations evaluate animal welfare aspects. RDS thoroughly eliminates down sourced from live animals or force-fed birds. They also ensure that waterfowl are raised in appropriate environments, and ALLIED has introduced a system to trace all feathers.
Additionally, ALLIED’s proprietary DURAWASH™ method not only produces clean, durable, and elastic premium down but also drastically reduces detergent usage, resulting in a recycling of about 65 million gallons of water annually. All detergents and chemicals used in the down refining process are environmentally friendly, and ALLIED is the first down supplier to receive bluesign® certification.
I know you haven’t been to NYC in a while, what do you miss most from NYC, if anything?
New York is a city full of diversity and always offers new inspiration. What I miss the most is the city’s energy and the constant presence of art and culture in everyday life. Even amidst a busy daily routine, there are many moments where you can get creative inspiration, and I look forward to feeling those moments again.
I also definitely want to eat New York pizza and hot dogs!
