The UNDECORATED 2025 Spring/Summer collection was created as the designer reminisced about a time when he purely enjoyed fashion. The "Organic Cotton Denim Pants*Crashed" are an iconic item from this collection.

We asked designer Kono about the inspiration and thoughts behind this item, which redefines the image of "UNDECORATED as basic and minimalist design."

 

Design inspiration from myself 20 years ago

―― What was the inspiration behind creating the Organic Cotton Denim Pants*Crashed?

 Kono:   My parents were moving, so I had to organize all my belongings that I had left at their house. As I started tidying up, I found a lot of clothes from when I was a teenager and in my early twenties.

 At that time, I was really into vintage clothing, and I would spend all my time in Harajuku shops, buying whatever caught my eye. All those items definitely held special memories, but among them, the denim that became the model for the "Organic Cotton Denim Pants*Crashed" most vividly brought back memories from that era.

 It was originally an edgy design with large tears at both knees, but I wore it almost every day for years, so the heels were frayed, whiskers were etched in, and it had developed a unique "flavor" created by my wearing it.

Holding it again after all these years, I suddenly remembered how much more I enjoyed fashion when I was a student 20 years ago—a feeling I had almost forgotten.

 

Creating clothes as a designer ~ UNDECORATED design ~

―― Mr. Kono's current clothing is synonymous with UNDECORATED clothing, but it's quite different in style from your nostalgic denim.

 Kono:   Indeed, haha.

I often hear feedback that "UNDECORATED clothes are mostly basic and minimalist, making them easy to pair with other items." I certainly agree, and I'm happy that people wear them with affection. But behind that is a design process that asks, "How can we best convey the quality and functionality of the materials—for example, the softness and gentleness of cashmere, the smooth texture of cotton and silk, the new sensations created by combining materials?" The result of this consideration is simple clothing.

 So, it's not like I set out to make "simple clothes" from the beginning.

 However, I sometimes felt that UNDECORATED's approach to clothing design was "somewhat logical." The denim I found at my parents' house made me clearly realize that.

That "reunion" with "me, who simply enjoyed fashion in my twenties," encouraged me to enjoy making clothes with more freedom, and it led to the "Organic Cotton Denim Pants*Crashed."

 

Combining “logical clothing design” with “enjoying fashion”

↑ The denim Kono actually wore

 

Looking at it this way, you'll probably think it's a spitting image.

However, the "Organic Cotton Denim Pants*Crashed" also incorporates distinct elements of "UNDECORATED's unique style" throughout.

 For example, the original denim's silhouette was boot-cut, which was popular at the time, but for the "Organic Cotton Denim Pants*Crashed," we opted for a straight silhouette and used white paint to create a clean, UNDECORATED-like impression.

 For the material, we used organic cotton, which is rarely used for denim.
Denim is typically made from thick, durable material that won't tear even during heavy labor like farm work. So, choosing organic cotton—which is characterized by being "soft and gentle on the skin, excellent at retaining moisture for a smooth feel even in dry seasons, and capable of maintaining its gentle feel after washing due to the elasticity of its fibers"—goes against the original philosophy of denim making. (laughs)

This is also part of its "unique style."

 

 
The most eye-catching part of this denim is undoubtedly the large damaged area on the knees.

While it has a significant impact, it's not just a large hole; the exposed skin creates a perfect sense of ease in the coordination, and above all, I believe the "boldness of the large opening is modern."

 

 
The tears at the heels weren't originally on the denim, but back when I was in my 20s, it was common to wear them long enough to drag on the ground, so the hems got dragged and "ripped" as a result.

 I thought this damaged look was interesting and recreated it. By adding damage up to the ankle, you can wear them with sandals or low-cut shoes without worrying about the hem. For women, when paired with pumps, the exposed ankle creates a clean and effortless look.

 

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This denim encapsulates the designer's fashion journey, the feeling of purely enjoying fashion from that era, and a new facet of the brand filled with UNDECORATED's unique style.

The Organic Cotton Denim Pants*Crashed introduced in this article are now available on our online store.

Please also check out the styling suggestions on the LOOK page.