As the Japan-Portland trade relationship continues to grow, more and more fashion labels are jumping into the mix.
Two of the Rose City’s best, Bridge & Burn and Kiriko have joined forces on the aptly-named “Bridge & Burn x Kiriko” – a capsule collection of men’s and women’s pieces inspired by B&B’s classic designs and made with heritage Japanese fabrics sourced by Kiriko.
“This was the opportunity to collaborate and complement what we each do so well,” says Bridge & Burn Founder Erik Prowell.
The men’s collection is six pieces: The “Warusawa” jacket is a mid-weight trucker jacket with a water-resistant indigo cotton face; the “Kannon” is a lighter piece with a striped lining and four other pieces all meant for easy spring wear in the city or the country.
As a whole, Bridge & Burn x Kiriko blends classic Pacific Northwest silhouettes with Japanese traditions. Among the highlights are “Sashi-ori,” the fabric used in Kendo and Judo uniforms acting as woven armor and “Sashiko,” a decorative stitching often used to reinforce clothing.
Once Kiriko creator Katsu Tanaka sourced the fabrics, Prowell got together with his chief designer and began formulating the woven identity of the collection.
“We spent plenty of time with these fabrics and really tried to used these traditional fabrics with some updated materials,” Prowell says,
The result is an interesting collection that’s as much of a statement about the power of collaboration as it is a seamless blend of both cultures.
Both companies are celebrating the launch with two release parties in Portland this week: February 2 at Bridge & Burn’s flagship in downtown Portland and on Friday, February 3 at Kiriko’s store in Portland’s Old Town neighborhood.
You can get more information on the collection and the launch parties at Bridge & Burn’s or Kiriko’s sites.
