DESCENTE ALLTERRAIN" proposes minimalistic functional wear that is not influenced by trends, without considering specific age groups, scenes, or areas. Based on the concept of "form follows function," DESCENTE ALLTERRAIN's products, which combine high-spec functionality with simple design that has been stripped down to the bare minimum of decoration, stand out from the rest.
Among them, the Mizusawa Down Series, which symbolizes the Descente Ortelaine brand, is a gem that has made many fashion freaks swoon. Descente's Mizusawa Plant, located in Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture, has been manufacturing products that require highly advanced techniques, such as ski wear, jockey vests for jockeys, and firefighting uniforms. The down produced at this factory is truly "top quality.
Mizusawa Down was started with a strong desire to create "high-tech down jackets made by craftsmen" and "unique down jackets that overturn conventional concepts. The light weight, quality of the feathers, and sewing are superior to those of other down brands.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the birth of Mizusawa Down. Here is a report on the exhibition held to commemorate this event.
The venue chosen was DESCENTE BLANC Daikanyama, which offers running wear and basic lifestyle wear, including the DESCENTE ORTERINES line. Inside the store, where fabric waste from the production process hung from the ceiling like a curtain, the archives that have evolved over the past 10 years were on display, as well as the 10th anniversary limited edition models scheduled for release in November.
Traditional down jackets had the disadvantages of rainwater entering through the stitching perforations, damaging the warmth of the down and causing the down to fall out through gaps in the stitching. However, Mizusawa Down is made by thermo-compression bonding fabrics together, so there are no stitches on the outer fabric. Therefore, it has excellent heat retention as well as waterlogging and feather shedding due to rainwater.
The memorable first model of the Mizusawa Down series, the "Anchor," focuses solely on thermal protection, with no ventilation, mesh material between the zips, or other systems to allow heat to escape, as is the case with current models.
From the second model released a year later, mesh was used for the zip portion. The brand and the craftsmen at the Mizusawa factory have been updating the product season after season, reflecting their ideas.
Although it is now well established as a fashion wear that many select stores carry, it was originally made to be worn by the Japanese athletes at the 2010 Winter Festival. The model on the left is the one from that time, and the one on the left was provided to the Swiss delegation at this year's festival.
And in the back of the store, there were fabric scraps crammed into a large gauge. A monitor was showing the work process of Mizusawa Down, which is made one by one by craftsmen with great care. We were provided with a special video of the process, which we hope you will enjoy.
Based on the axes of "scene-less," "ageless," and "timeless," the pinnacle of manufacturing is carried out here, unaffected by trends.
The demand for down is expected to increase in the coming winter season. First, why don't you come to our stores and see the quality of Mizusawa down with your own hands? You will surely be fascinated.
Text_Ryotaro Miyazaki
DESCENTE BLANC Daikanyama
Address: CUBE Daikanyama C, 19-4 Sarugaku-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Phone: 03-6416-5989
allterrain.descente.com
descenteblanc.com
