The Cat Village sounds like some kind of pastoral fantasy, and really, it is. I was finally able to visit this legendary facility this Fall. Tucked in between the misty mountains of the Japanese Alps is a small, world-class, specialized outerwear workshop.
Working with the Cat Village enables us to do a few things that we couldn’t do otherwise. First is that we’re able to make the classic styles that we make at home in the USA in a different build. The Japan made outerwear uses technical, modern construction with 3L fabrics and fully-taped constructions. They re-interpret our designs, in lighter and more waterproof technical builds.
Making gear in Japan, for Japan is incredible. It builds on our connection to the unique snowboard community we’ve been fortunate enough to get to know over the years. It’s always been our goal to keep as much of our process a close to the community it serves as possible.
This trip was the perfect excuse to rondezvous with longtime Owner Operator friend Eric Messier! We’re all ready working together on some new projects, so stay tuned.
I only brought back a handful of beautiful garments, and am super excited to share them with you here in the USA. These are almost all one of a kind here, so if you see something you love get it while you can!
OO Japan mastermind Yoshi
We’re fortunate for the opportunity to work closely with these talented artisans. We’re still developing all our patterns in house from scratch, sewing our samples, and bringing them directly to the workshop. It’s a super fun and fulfilling way to work, and we’re proud to have such great friends in Japan.
Yosuke Nishida, Mr. and Mrs. Yama-san, Steven, and Eric Messier
Yes- they do live on a cat farm just down the road from the factory!
TJ Brand mastermind and snowboard legend Yosuke looking good in our Vestiges Jacket
Eric dialing in the fits
These are going to go quick!
thanks to all of you,
owner/operators
Steven & Pete