What or slow does

orSlow is the consumer brand of base denim products Inc., a Japanese apparel company founded in 2013 and headquartered in Nishinomiya, Hyogo, Japan. The company designs and produces vintage-inspired denim and workwear — primarily jeans, jackets, sweatshirts, T-shirts, and military/workwear-derived apparel — drawing on a two-year archive of vintage American denim assembled by the founder. Manufacturing relies on heritage techniques and equipment: slow-shuttle loom weaving at approximately 50 meters of fabric per day, Union Special chain-stitch and Singer sewing machines in the in-house atelier, loop-wheel knitting sourced from Wakayama for sweatshirts, VOLTEX air-spinning yarn for T-shirts, and pure indigo dyeing.

The business operates on a wholesale-only go-to-market model; orSlow does not run its own direct-to-consumer e-commerce site and instead distributes exclusively through an authorized network of hundreds of specialty retailers across more than 30 countries, including named partners such as BEAMS, Blue Owl Workshop, and Mr. Porter. Pricing is positioned at the premium end of the heritage denim market, supported by curated seasonal drops and limited production volumes. The company is privately held, with no disclosed funding rounds, headcount, or revenue figures.

Name

or slow

Legal name

有限会社ベースデニムプロダクツ (base denim products Inc.)

Website

https://orslow.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Short description

orSlow is a Japanese heritage denim and workwear brand, founded in 2013 by base denim products Inc., selling exclusively through hundreds of authorized specialty retailers across more than 30 countries using vintage manufacturing techniques.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Heritage denim and workwear apparel

NAICS

Apparel Manufacturing (315), Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing (3152), Broadwoven Fabric Mills (313210)

SIC

Men's & Boys' Furnishgs, Work Clothg, & Allied Garments (2320), Broadwoven Fabric Mills, Cotton (2211)

akta.pro primary industry

Denim & Casualwear Brands (CRAAAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Denim & Bottoms Cut & Sew (Jeans/Trousers/Shorts) (IMAOAEAD), Denim & Twill Mills (IMAOABAG)

Keywords

• Japanese denim apparel
• Vintage workwear clothing
• Selvedge denim jeans
• Military-inspired fashion
• Artisan denim manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Nishinomiya

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Wholesale apparel sales: orSlow generates revenue exclusively through wholesale distribution to authorized retailers. The company explicitly states it does not operate any direct-to-consumer online stores and primarily conducts B2B wholesale sales. Products are sold to hundreds of authorized retail partners across Japan and internationally.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

orSlow designs and manufactures vintage-inspired denim and casual wear derived from 1950s-1970s workwear and military clothing. The product line includes selvedge and non-selvedge denim jeans, military-inspired fatigue pants, French work pants, denim jackets, sweatshirts, hoodies, heavyweight T-shirts, coveralls, and accessories. Manufacturing relies on traditional methods including slow-loom weaving (50 m/day), vintage Union Special and Singer sewing machines, pure indigo dyeing, loop-wheel knitting, and VOLTEX air-spinning yarn.

Product overview

orSlow (オアスロウ) is a Japanese denim and casual wear brand established in 2013 (base denim products Inc.) that specializes in vintage-inspired clothing derived from workwear and military wear roots of the 19th-20th centuries. The brand operates as a wholesale-only business and does not sell directly to consumers online. orSlow's product portfolio is organized into Men's and Women's categories, each with Basic (foundational year-round products) and Season (limited seasonal collections) lines. Core products include: denim pants such as the 105 Standard and 105W 1990's Standard (selvedge and non-selvedge), military-inspired fatigue pants (5002, 5032), work pants (5000 French Work, 512 Painter), vintage-style coveralls (6140 1950's, 6150 1940's), and denim jackets (6002 1950's, 6005 1960's). Additional offerings include loop wheel sweatshirts and hoodies made on vintage loop-wheel machines, heavyweight T-shirts with Japan map embroidery, and various shirts including chambray work shirts and Hawaiian shirts. The brand emphasizes craftsmanship using traditional manufacturing methods including shuttle looms producing 50 meters of denim per day, vintage sewing machines (Union Special, Singer), and loop-wheel knitting techniques. orSlow sells through authorized retailers in Japan, USA, UK, France, Korea, China, Italy, Australia, Germany, Canada, Sweden, Denmark, and other countries worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 105 Standard (01-1050) Selvedge Denim 5-Pocket Pants Classic 5-pocket denim pants made from 13.7OZ original selvedge denim; one of orSlow's foundational basic products sold wholesale to specialty retailers.
• 105W 1990's Standard (01-1050W) Non-Selvedge Denim Pants 5-pocket pants inspired by 1990s-era denim without selvedge, made from 13OZ denim, developed to capture the unique character of 1990s denim with a flatter surface than pre-1980s selvedge denim.
• 107 Ivy Fit (01-0107) Selvedge Denim Pants Ivy-style fit denim pants made from 13.7OZ original selvedge denim, available in 1990's black denim, black denim stone, and white denim options.
• 5002 US Army Fatigue Pants (01-5002) Military-inspired fatigue pants made from original reverse sateen fabric, a long-running orSlow basic since 2006.
• 5002Z US Army Fatigue Pants (Women's) Women's version of the US Army fatigue pants in original reverse satin fabric.
• 5032 Slim Fit Fatigue Pants (01-5032) Slim-fit version of the orSlow military fatigue pants.
• 5000 French Work Pants (03-5000) French-style work pants made from herringbone twill fabric, an orSlow basic since 2007.
• 512 Painter Pants (01-5120) Painter-style pants made from 9OZ original lightweight selvedge denim.
• 513 US Navy Utility Pants (01-5130) Navy-inspired utility pants made from 9OZ original lightweight selvedge denim.
• V5361 Vintage Fit Army Trousers (03-V5361) Vintage-fit military-style trousers made from original West Point twill fabric.
• V5260 Vintage Fit 6-Pocket Cargo Pants (03-V5260) Vintage-style 6-pocket cargo pants made from original ripstop poplin fabric.
• 105WZ 90's Denim Pants (Women's) Women's 5-pocket denim pants inspired by 1990s denim, made from 13OZ original denim one wash.
• 6140 1950's Coverall (03-6140) Full-body coverall inspired by 1950s workwear designs.
• 6150 1940's Coverall (01-6150) Full-body coverall inspired by 1940s workwear designs.
• 6002 1950's Denim Jacket (01-6002) Denim jacket inspired by 1950s designs.
• 6005 1960's Denim Jacket (01-6005) Denim jacket inspired by 1960s designs.
• 6011 Type1 Pleated Front Denim Blouse (6011) Pleated-front denim blouse made from 13.5OZ original selvedge denim.
• 6010 US Army Tropical Jacket (01-6010) Military-inspired tropical jacket.
• 8045 US Army Shirts (03-8045) Military-style shirts.
• 8070 Slim Fit Chambray Work Shirts (Women's) Women's slim-fit work shirts made from 5.5OZ original chambray fabric.
• 8270 Relax Fit Chambray Work Shirt (01-8270) Relaxed-fit chambray work shirt.
• 0017 Heavy Weight Pocket T-Shirt (03-0017) Heavyweight T-shirt made from heavy weight T-Cloth using VOLTEX spinning technology yarn, featuring Japan map embroidery on back. Offers pilling resistance, color fade resistance, shape retention, quick-dry moisture absorption, and firmness.
• 0013 Heavy Weight Long Sleeve T-Shirt (03-0013) Heavyweight long-sleeve T-shirt made using VOLTEX spinning technology yarn.
• 0015 Loop Wheel Crew Neck Sweat Shirt (03-0015) Crew-neck sweatshirt made from loopwheel French terry fabric knitted on vintage loop-wheel machines that create soft, fluffy texture reminiscent of vintage items over 50 years old.
• 0016 Loop Wheel Hooded Sweat Shirt (03-0016) Hooded sweatshirt (hoodie) made from loopwheel French terry fabric knitted on vintage loop-wheel machines.
• 0015 Zip-up Hooded Sweat Shirt Zip-up hooded sweatshirt made from loopwheel French terry fabric.
• 1960's Cotton Hawaiian Shirts 1960s-inspired cotton Hawaiian shirts designed to pair with orSlow's standard pants line.
• 001 US Navy Hat (Denim) Navy-style hat made from 9OZ original selvedge denim.
• 001 US Navy Hat (Herring Bone Twill) Navy-style hat made from herringbone twill fabric.
• 023 US Army Jungle Hat Military-style jungle hat made from original ripstop fabric, faithfully recreating vintage US Army jungle hats with mesh ventilation holes on both sides and nylon tape around the circumference.
• orSlow BOOK A book documenting orSlow's product creation process and philosophy, created over approximately 5 years. Cover uses original orSlow denim. Retail price 2,800 yen (tax included).

Quantifiable outcome

• Only ~50 meters of denim fabric produced per day per loom, ensuring maximum quality and character
• +1 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Authorized Retailer Network (Japan — representative stores)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributororSlow distributes exclusively through hundreds of authorized specialty retailers. In Japan, major retail partners include BEAMS (national chain with locations across all prefectures), Bshop, FREAK'S STORE, SORA, JILL HOUSE, and dozens of independent select shops. The company recruits sales staff specifically to manage these wholesale relationships domestically and internationally, with travel to Paris for trade shows.
• Authorized Retailer Network (USA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUS retail presence through authorized specialty stores including Blue Owl Workshop (Washington), Standard & Strange (California, NYC, Santa Fe), Brooklyn Tailors, Mr. Porter, Blue in Green (NYC), and dozens of others across California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin.
• Authorized Retailer Network (Europe & Asia)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEuropean and Asian distribution through authorized retailers in UK (ARTICLE London, Trunk Clothiers, Stuarts London, Son of a Stag), France (Merci, L'Exception, Centre Commercial), Italy, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Netherlands, Taiwan, China (RIVETS Beijing, ELEMENT Shanghai, COMRADE Hong Kong), Korea (BLUESMAN Seoul, SAMSUNG C&T), Australia, Canada, Russia, Thailand, Brazil, Finland, Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Spain, Turkey, and Ukraine.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Iron Heart: Japanese-engineered heritage workwear and heavyweight selvedge denim brand. Closely comparable to orSlow on target customer (workwear/heritage enthusiasts), vintage-inspired product portfolio, and global wholesale distribution through select shops.
• Pure Blue Japan: Premium Japanese heritage denim brand using indigo-dyed, hand-finished construction. Shares orSlow's artisan positioning, Japanese manufacturing base, and select-shop wholesale model.
• Samurai Jeans: Japanese heritage denim specialist focused on artisanal selvedge construction. Directly comparable on premium positioning, vintage-inspired design philosophy, and specialty retailer distribution.
• Momotaro Jeans: Premium Japanese selvedge denim brand from the Japan Blue group. Competes in the same 'Made in Japan' heritage denim segment as orSlow with similar wholesale distribution and vintage-inspired product lines.
• Studio D'Artisan: Long-established Japanese heritage denim brand (Osaka) producing vintage-style selvedge jeans and workwear. Direct overlap with orSlow on 'Made in Japan' artisan denim, vintage reproduction, and select-shop wholesale.
• Sugar Cane: Japanese heritage workwear and denim brand (Toyosaka) producing vintage-replica apparel. Competes with orSlow on workwear/military-inspired design and global specialty retailer distribution.
• TCB Jeans: Japanese heritage denim brand producing selvedge jeans and workwear in the same premium segment as orSlow. Comparable on manufacturing craftsmanship, vintage aesthetic, and specialty retailer distribution.
• Fullcount: Japanese heritage denim brand known for vintage-style reproduction using traditional shuttle looms. Closely aligned with orSlow on slow-loom production philosophy, selvedge craftsmanship, and select-shop distribution.
• Warehouse & Co: Heritage Japanese denim and workwear brand reproducing vintage 1940s–70s garments. Comparable to orSlow on product philosophy, craftsmanship focus, and global select-shop wholesale presence.

Broad incumbents

• Buzz Rickson's: Established Japanese heritage military/workwear reproduction brand under Toyo Enterprise. Comparable to orSlow's military-inspired jacket, shirt and fatigue products, but operates at a larger scale with broader product breadth including outerwear.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/orslow

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about or slow