{"product_id":"kapital-nora-x-kaya-boro-western-shirt","title":"Kapital Nora x Kaya Boro Western Shirt","description":"\u003cp\u003eTo truly understand why the entire fashion world’s grail is a boro jacket from Kapital, (well, for most of us), we have to first understand the history of boro.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBoro, which translates to “rags,” emerged during the Edo period as a result of material scarcity in rural Japan. In regions like Tohoku, cotton was both expensive and difficult to obtain, forcing working-class families to extend the life of their garments indefinitely to tide over the harsh winter. Clothing was continuously repaired, patched, and layered using whatever scraps that were available, often across multiple generations. Over time, these garments accumulated a visible record of wear, uneven fading, and dense layers of fabrics, mapping decades of use.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA defining feature of these textiles is their deep indigo hue, reminiscent of the oceans surrounding Japan. Rural communities favored indigo due to the abundance of indigo plant and how well it bonded with cotton and linen. Beyond aesthetics, indigo was believed to possess antibacterial qualities, reduce odors, and repel insects, making it especially practical for labourers. It is especially important to note that boro was never an aesthetic choice, but a necessity shaped by poverty and sustenance.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIntegral to boro is sashiko, a traditional stitching technique whose name translates to “little stabs.” Also developed during the Edo period, sashiko was originally used to reinforce worn textiles, particularly in high-stress areas. This extremely labor intensive process starts with a simple running stitch, often in white thread against indigo cloth. Over time, sashiko evolved to include geometric patterns. The relationship between sashiko and boro is therefore fundamental: sashiko is a method, while boro is the cumulative result.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAfter WW2, Japan saw a mass destruction of antique boro in Japan, making real boro extremely rare. Fast forward to today, boro has been recontextualized into a widely recognized art form and fashion statement, gaining momentum in the early 2010s with Kapital spearheading its resurgence (alongside initiatives and exhibitions by non fashion entities). Most notably, in 2013, Kim Jones approached Kiro Hirata to co-produce Louis Vuitton's Spring Summer 2013 menswear collection, bringing the ancient craft into global spotlight. Since then, boro became closely associated with Kapital, especially within Kapital Kountry.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis shirt is the result of hours of manual handwork. Constructed from panels of distressed indigo-dyed boro, it features two flap pockets, a dropped yoke, and snap button closures, and comes with a boro flower brooch. (This overshirt\/jacket predates subsequent Kountry re-editions.)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTagged Size 4\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeasurements:\u003cbr\u003eLength 81cm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShoulder 46cm\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePtp 51cm\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSleeve 70cm\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHem 51cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Upstairs Garments","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52321307558164,"sku":null,"price":1737.0,"currency_code":"SGD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1022\/3124\/files\/699B242B-99BC-48D4-9DDE-2257F202F117.jpg?v=1775222579","url":"https:\/\/upstairsgarments.com\/products\/kapital-nora-x-kaya-boro-western-shirt","provider":"Upstairs Garments","version":"1.0","type":"link"}